George “Funky” Brown — the primary drummer and one of many founding members of Kool & the Gang — has died … TMZ has discovered.

The legendary musician died of most cancers at his house in Los Angeles on Thursday evening, ending an astonishing 59-year profession because the legendary funk band’s songwriter and drummer, sources with direct data of the scenario inform us. He had been battling stage 4 most cancers.

A rep for the band instructed TMZ, “George Brown handed away in Los Angeles on November 16, 2023, after a battle with most cancers. Brown co-wrote lots of the band’s iconic songs, together with “Women Evening,” “Too Sizzling “, “Jungle” Boogie”, “Have a good time” and “Cherish”. When requested to explain his music, Brown at all times responded, “The sound of happiness.”

GB was identified with lung most cancers and truly recovered for some time earlier than hitting the street of touring and performing once more, however he suffered one other setback this yr when the most cancers returned.George documented his well being points final month Dahua Information.

In 1964, George, together with different members of the band, shaped the Tremendous Group in Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey.Different founding members included Bro. Robert Bell (bass) and Ronald Bell (keyboard), Dennis Thomas (Saxophone), Robert Mickens (trumpet), Ricky West (keyboard) and charles smith (Guitarist).

The band reached a primary document take care of De-Lite Data and launched their debut album “Kool & The Gang” in 1969.

However they did not grow to be stars till 1973, after they launched their fourth document, Wild And Peaceable, which included a few of their largest hits, together with “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging.”

They went on to launch a sequence of super-successful albums titled “Women Evening” (1979), “Have a good time!” (1980) and “Emergency” (1984), which offered a whopping 2 million albums in the US alone. All three data produced a sequence of massively common songs, with “Celebration” hovering to primary on the charts. “

Through the years, Kool And The Gang has been acknowledged within the music business, profitable 2 Grammy Awards, 7 American Music Awards, a Music Enterprise Affiliation President’s Award, and a Soul Practice Legends Award. In addition they obtained a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame.

Robert “Cool” Bell is the one surviving member of the band.

A spokesman mentioned donations in his reminiscence could also be made to the American Lung Most cancers Society.

Brown is survived by his spouse; Han Brown and his 5 youngsters.