Robert "Kool" Bell
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Robert "Kool" Bell | |
|---|---|
 Robert "Kool" Bell in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Earl Bell |
| Also known as | Kool Muhammad Bayyan |
| Born | October 8, 1950 Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, R&B, soul, funk, dance-pop, disco, boogie |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, bass guitar |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | De-Lite, Mercury |
Robert Earl "Kool" Bell, also known by his Muslim name Muhammad Bayyan,[1] (born October 8, 1950) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is the founding member of the American funk band, Kool & the Gang.[2]
Early life and career
Bell was born in Youngstown, Ohio and grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. Along with his brother, Ronald Bell, he began playing jazz, and in 1964 they formed a group named the "Jazziacs". They began playing at clubs in New York City under a series of different band names, before settling on the name "Kool & the Gang" in 1968. He is one of the co-writers of the song "Boardmeeting" from the 2007 album Timbaland Presents Shock Value.
See also
References
- ^ Bush, John. Biography of Kool & the Gang at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-04-25.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (2001-08-01). Funk. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 149–. ISBN 978-0-87930-629-8. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
External links
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
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Categories:
- 1950 births
- Living people
- African-American musicians
- African-American Muslims
- African-American singer-songwriters
- African-American songwriters
- American singer-songwriters
- American funk bass guitarists
- American male guitarists
- American disco singers
- American funk singers
- American jazz bass guitarists
- American jazz singers
- American soul singers
- Kool & the Gang members
- Musicians from Jersey City, New Jersey
- Musicians from Youngstown, Ohio
- Male bass guitarists
- 20th-century bass guitarists
- 21st-century bass guitarists
- Guitarists from Ohio
- Guitarists from New Jersey
- 20th-century American guitarists
- American singer stubs