The funky sounds from Kool & The Gang have been bumping through the radio since I was born. I remember riding down the highway of I-20 in Atlanta, Georgia, with my father, Dale Porter, singing his heart out: “Hollywood Swinging.”
It's been sixty years since the band was founded by Ohio native brothers Robert “Kool” and Ronald Bell, and it's still kicking. The group known for hit songs like “Get Down on It” and “Ladies Night” symbolizes an era in music that can never be duplicated. Solidifying their place in music history, the band will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in late October.
For Robert Bell, the hour-long journey from his hometown, Youngstown, to Cleveland, Ohio, was a “groovy” ride he will never forget. Dig this walk back down memory lane.
SP: Reflecting on Kool & the Gang’s journey, how did each stage of the band’s evolution contribute to the unique sound and identity of the group?
RB: Well, I think it goes back to when we started. We started as the Jazziacs. We listened to people like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Freddie Hubbard. Now the Soul Town Band, we were backing up different groups that were trying to be like Motown. We couldn't use Kool & the Flames because of James Brown & The Famous Flames. We didn't want to have any problems with the Godfather, so we said, “well, let's just change our name.”
SP: Are there any behind-the-scenes stories or experiences from the making of the group’s most iconic tracks like “Get Down on It,” “Jungle Boogie,” or “Hollywood Swinging”?
RB: The record company came to us and said, "Listen, you guys have been having some territorial hits, like maybe in Connecticut and Virginia" There was this big record called “Soul MaKossa" by Mango Dibango, and they wanted us to work with that producer because that was this huge record. So, we met with the producer, and it wasn't happening. So, we told the record company, “Okay, we're going into the studio and cut some tracks.” And that's when we went to downtown New York. Eight o'clock in the morning when we finished, we had “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging” and “Funky Stuff.” Needless to say, no more problems from the record company.
Dick Griffey (record producer and music promoter) of the group Shalamar, sold our records. He said, "You guys are doing great on the tour." But he said, "I think you guys need a lead singer." That's when we brought JT Taylor into the group. I was out hanging in New York, my wife and I, at the Regine's at Studio 54, every weekend they had the ladiese night.
I went back to the guy, JT, and I said, "I got a great idea for a title.” They said, "What?" I said, "Ladies Night." Frankie Crocker (American DJ) in New York broke that record. “Ladies Night" became one of our biggest records, even to the point where we had won two American Music Awards.
My brother was listening to the song. He said, "The tag of that song is another song." And he said, "This is your night tonight. Come on, let's all celebrate." I brought us to the studio, which was the track that became “Celebration.” The rest is history.
SP: Absolutely. And speaking of awards, y'all about to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is a huge accomplishment. And I want to know, how do you think your brother Ronald Bell would've felt about the induction, and what was your reaction to it?
RB: Well, it's been great because I've called them the Magnificent Seven. All six of my members have passed. I'm the last one of the original members, and we all wanted to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I think they're looking down on us right now, and we are getting ready to finally do it. It's been over 60 years and here we come.
SP: Kool & the Gang has been sampled 1900 times, specifically in hip-hop. How do you feel about your band being a blueprint in a genre that many may find controversial?
RB: Questlove (American drummer and record producer) told me. I said, "What Quest, I need to put somebody on a sample patrol." That means that we're the most sampled band in the world because hip-hop is dominant. I mean, we were [also] sampled by Madonna, Janet Jackson, various writers and producers have sampled our music.
SP: What do you want the group's legacy to be years from now?
RB: Well, our story, how we survived, and the fact that we're still here. I lost six of my guys, but I'm on tour with what I call the Magnificent 10. That's a blessing.
SP: Your brother, Ronald, is also responsible for helping to discover one of the most legendary rap groups, The Fugees. How did that come about?
RB: We feel very good about that. The Fugees came to our camp. Lauren and Pras and Wyclef and all of them. We all were in the studio in Jersey called The House of Music. We discovered Color Me Badd. We came into Oklahoma, and the guys came up and said, "Oh, we're doing good in school, we're cool, but we're going to sing something for you." And they sang, so we sent them to New York, and we produced the album for them. We discovered Pink also, my brother and my cousin. And here's one more for you who grew up with us, Teddy Riley.
SP: What would you tell a young artist who wants to have a long-standing career such as yourself and the band?
RB: I would first say they have to be serious about it. They should try to be as original as they possibly can. In other words, only the strong survive. Don't give up. Keep on moving the groove.
SP: Lastly, with y'all induction coming up in October. Describe Kool & the Gang in a few words.
RB: We are going to keep the funk alive.
NOTE: Kool & The Gang will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct.19 at 7 p.m. at the Rocket Mortgage Field House in Cleveland, Ohio. Purchase your tickets, HERE.
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