“It’s a blessing – that’s all I can say,” says Robert “Kool” Bell. A blessing to be on stage with his band for decades, while other groups don’t even survive two years. “Some not even a week,” he says. “Our parents told us: Whatever you do, stay together as a family.”
Kool was just 14 years old when he founded the band Kool & The Gang with his brother Ronald. Since then, they have traveled the world countless times, performed in every time zone – and even after a band history that goes back over 50 years, they still reach fans of all ages.
His own musical journey began at school. “When I was growing up, we had music lessons,” he says. “I tried the violin – I didn’t like it. Then the cello – not mine either. Then they gave me a mellophone. It’s something like a horn.” He grins. “Walked around with it on – with a busted lip.” Eventually he ended up playing bass. “That’s how it all started.”
Kool & The Gang – these are not songs, they are classics. One of their biggest: “Celebration”. The line “This is your night. Come on, let’s all celebrate” became a worldwide invitation – whether on stages, at award ceremonies or on the radio. “Ladies Night”, inspired by nights at Studio 54, is also part of the permanent repertoire of modern pop history.
The band has received multiple honors: three American Music Awards for Best Soul/R&B Group, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2015) and induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2019) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2018). They received a Grammy for their participation on the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack – their song “Open Sesame” was part of the legendary album.
Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? She came late. It took a full three decades for Kool & The Gang to be officially honored – despite millions of records sold and collaborations with greats like Elton John, Rod Stewart and Van Halen. “They finally gave us a little love,” he says. “And I’m not mad – I think the timing was just right.”
“The songs are my babies. They keep me alive.”
“Our songs are everywhere,” says Kool. “Cherish” plays at weddings, “Celebration” at Super Bowls and football – everywhere there is a celebration. “Get Down On It” and “Hollywood Swinging” are US sports staples, “Summer Madness” was sampled by Will Smith – the track went platinum and, as Kool says, “made him a movie star”. Did he ever get tired of listening to his own songs? “No. These are my babies. My children. How could I ever get tired of hearing them? They keep me alive.”
What keeps the fun of performing alive for decades? “It’s the people. The people we play for – that’s what matters. They want to see us.”
Kool sees the fact that their music has endured for so many decades as a gift. And he knows how special that is – especially because it is still celebrated today by a generation that wasn’t even born when the band was founded.
“As long as people want to see us, we’ll keep going.”
It all started with paint cans. As children in Youngstown, Ohio, Robert and his brother Ronald built their first bongos out of empty cans. They cleaned the sheet metal, painted the outside to look like wood – and played on it for hours. When the family later moved to Jersey City, they were able to afford real instruments. Together with friends they founded The Jazziacs – the nucleus of Kool & The Gang. In addition to Kool and his brother, the founding members also included Robert “Spike” Mickens and Dennis “DT” Thomas, later joined by George “Funky” Brown, Ricky West and Charles Smith (also known as Claydes).
Today, decades later, Kool is on stage with a new formation. “I call them the Magnificent Ten,” he says. After the Corona forced break, they celebrated a comeback on Europe’s big stages. “People ask, ‘Are they really still doing this?’ – Yes, we do. And we bring everything with us: production, energy, the full program.” For Kool it is clear: As long as people want to see them, they will continue. With everything that goes with it.
But behind the spotlight, there are also moments of loss. Kool is the only living member of the original line-up, following the recent deaths of several members, including drummer and songwriter George Brown (2023), saxophonist, flautist and drummer Dennis Thomas (2021) and Kool’s composing brother Ronald (2020).
When asked how he dealt with the death of his brother and other long-time band members, he says: “It’s not easy. My brother – we grew up together. Our mother taught us to stick together.” Who is wearing it today? His team. “I have 25 people around me – production, management, accounting. It doesn’t work without a good support system.” And that’s exactly what ensures that Kool & The Gang are still on stage.
“I want to give something back to people.”
Today, however, Kool also thinks beyond music. Next to the stage he brings his own products onto the market – from champagne to coconut water. Everything under the motto: “Celebrate life.” But his heart project remains the “Cool Kids Foundation.”“which he founded together with his late wife. Goal: To give children access to musical instruments again – just as he himself once found music through school. He is also active globally: in Africa he is involved as a music ambassador, meets presidents, and supports education and culture. A humanitarian festival is coming up in Paris – “It’s Time for Love” – that aims to raise funds for people in need.
When asked about everything going on at the same time – musicals, champagne, foundations, international projects – Kool laughs briefly. And then he becomes clear: “Don’t say that word. We don’t say that word.” What is meant is: pension. Not an issue for him. What drives him is not just music. “I want to give something back to people,” he says. He knows: “I can’t do it all alone.” Success is teamwork – on stage and behind it.
His greatest wish? Sound Health. And a world in which people really come together – for a moment of peace, joy, togetherness. A global celebration of life. Or as Kool says: “A world celebration”.