George "Funky" Brown, Co-Founder and Drummer of Kool & The Gang, Passes Away at 74

George "Funky" Brown, the co-founder and longtime drummer of Kool & The Gang, has died at the age of 74. Brown, who helped write some of the band's biggest hits including "Too Hot," "Ladies Night," "Joanna," and the iconic "Celebration," passed away on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Brown had been battling cancer and retired earlier this year after nearly 60 years with the band. In a statement released by Universal Music, it was revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

Kool & The Gang, known for their catchy blend of jazz, funk, and soul, has sold millions of records worldwide. Brown, along with bassist Robert "Kool" Bell, brother Ronald Bell on keyboards, and guitarist Charles Smith, founded the Grammy-winning group in 1964 under the name the Jazziacs.

After years of perseverance, name changes, and lineup adjustments, Kool & The Gang achieved mainstream success in the mid-1970s with hits like "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging." They reached their peak in the late '70s to mid-1980s, producing chart-toppers such as the ballads "Cherish" and "Joanna," as well as the energetic anthem "Celebration," which has become a staple at weddings and other joyous occasions.

In Memory of Brown

In the year 2023, Brown was responsible for producing the band's most recent album, titled "People Just Wanna Have Fun." Alongside this accomplishment, he also released his memoir entitled "Too Hot: Kool & The Gang & Me."

Brown is survived by his loving wife, Hanh Brown, and their five children. Instead of sending flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in his honor to the Lung Cancer Society of America.