Kool And The Gang icon George 'Funky' Brown dies aged 74
Disco icons Kool And The Gang have shared their founding member George 'Funky' Brown has died from cancer.
George 'Funky' Brown, a founding member of Kool And The Gang, has died aged 74.
The legendary drummer had a longstanding battle with cancer, and passed away at his Los Angeles home on Thursday night, according to TMZ.
A spokesperson for the band later confirmed the news, and in the statement reflected on his 59-year music legacy, which included creating songs Ladies Night, Get Down On It, Celebration and Jungle Boogie.
Their statement noted: "When asked to describe his music, Brown always replied, 'The sound of happiness.'"
Brown had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 - something that started with back pain prior to diagnosis.
While he recovered for a while, even returning to touring and performing in 2022.
However, he faced another setback this year when the cancer returned.
George shared his health struggles just last month with KCAL News, where he spoke about the clinical trials he had gone through in order to beat the disease when more tried methods had stopped working.
Among the efforts were multiple chemotherapy and experimental drugs, with a specific combination working on him before the cancer returned.
The interview saw George feeling positive about the treatment working on him.
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Over the years, Kool And The Gang - which formed in New Jersey in 1964 - has been widely recognized and loved in the music industry.
The other founding members included brothers Robert Bell (bass) and Ronald Bell (keyboards), Dennis Thomas (saxophone), Robert Mickens (Trumpet), Ricky West (keyboards) and Charles Smith (guitarist).
Across the band's career, they won two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, a Music Business Association Chairman's Award and a Soul Train Legend Award.
They were also given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tragically, Robert 'Kool' Bell is now the only surviving member of the band.
