"Kool & The Gang were the soundtrack to a lot of good moments in life," one fan wrote. Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky West in 1964 to whip up a unique blend of jazz, soul and funk. Jan 14. international.la-croix.com. Brokaw did not know the cause of death. The New Jersey Jazz band was formed in 1964. Composers: J.T. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas of Kool & The Gang dead at 70 - New York Post November 2, 2010, Far Rockaway, New York), Ricky West (original name Richard Westfield; b. Jersey Cityd. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. According to Universal Music, Ronald passed away early in the morning on September 9, 2020. In a 2015Rolling Stoneinterview, the Bell brothers credited Thomas playing an instrumental role in the bands hit Whos Gonna Take the Weight.. Member of Kool & The Gang Buy Meta Added by wally creek Managed by Clee J Works 28 All Songs written by Ricky West Original songs Report error [41] By 1986, the band had scored 14 top 40 singles in the US since 1980, more than Michael Jackson. Year should not be greater than current year. He was. LOS ANGELES, June 22 (AP) Claydes Charles Smith, a founder and the lead guitarist of the group Kool and the Gang, died on Tuesday in Maplewood, N.J. Bell started the group with his brother Robert "Kool" Bell along with neighborhood friends Dennis "D.T." The latter struggled to reach gold certification in the US, which led to the band's decision to end their time with Deodato as they had enough with the direction they had adopted. How did Ronald Bell die? | The US Sun Edit your search or learn more. Kool & the Gang is an American R&B/soul/funk band formed in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1964 by brothers Robert "Kool" Bell and Ronald Bell, with Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky West.They have undergone numerous changes in personnel and have explored many musical styles throughout their history, including jazz, rhythm and blues, soul . The cause of death has not been released. Read our Dennis Thomas live blog for the latest news and updates Tributes to Dennis Thomas poured out Twitter. Documents of Robert L. Mickens. 1989 saw the release of the band's 18th album Sweat. Ronald "Khalis" Bell died on Sept. 9 at his home. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bell and the band toured as a legacy group. . Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith . In 1964, Ronald Bell and his brother, Robert "Kool" Bell, joined Jersey City neighborhood friends Robert "Spike" Mickens, Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith to create a unique musical blend of jazz, soul and funk. Ronald "Khalis" Bell, co-founder of Kool & the Gang, has died at age 68 [12] All of them, except Smith, attended Lincoln High School in Jersey City. [53] During 2019 Kool and the Gang was also bestowed with the Marian Anderson Award. There was a problem getting your location. The group has won numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards. Spike, as he was affectionately known as, was a founding member of the R&B group, Kool & the Gang, which was formed in Jersey City NJ in 1964. Bell started the group with his brother Robert "Kool" Bell along with neighborhood friends Dennis "D.T." 1985), and James ("JT") Taylor (b. August 16, 1953, Laurens, South Carolina). . . Robert Spike Mickens is a composer, known for 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), The Nice Guys (2016) and The Nutty Professor (1996). As yet, no cause of death has been revealed. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, file) Rich Fury/Invision/AP. Joe Gill/The Express-Times/AP. Robert Spike Mickens | | Discogs Suspicious deaths of 3 women in N. Georgia - Ajc . All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Robert Mickens | American musician | Britannica The average age of a Mickens family member is 68. Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky West in 1964 to whip up a unique blend of jazz, soul and funk. . Music eventually pulled him out: The group sparked when Ronald visited the home of. [14] In 1967, they decided to perform as their own identity and became regulars at the Blue Note Lounge in Jersey; one of the MC's advertised them with a new name, Kool & the Flames. 7f70114d-77bf-4a0a-b7a3-fd92909b3cd8. Kool & the Gang subsequently entered a period of decline before they reached a second commercial peak between 1979 and 1986 following their partnership with Brazilian musician and producer Eumir Deodato and the addition of singer James "J.T." (Terms and conditions). ROBERT MICKENS Obituary (2010) - Jersey City, NJ - The Jersey Journal . It marked the return of Khalis Bayyan to the group. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. . [3][4][5][6] Their discography includes 23 studio albums and almost 70 singles. ROBERT MICKENS Obituary (2010) - Legacy Michelle Thomas, the daughter of Dennis Thomas, was remembered by her co-stars in a cast reunion. . Alongside Robert "Kool" Bell, Ronald Bell, Robert "Spike" Micken, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky West, Thomas was among the co-founders of the Jazz group Kool & the Gang. A cause of death has not been released. Meet the Talented Emerging Artists That Should Be on Your Playlists This Spring, Grammys 2022: See the Complete List of Winners on Music's Biggest Night. Verify and try again. As a result of their change in direction, the band scored their first major commercial success with their fourth studio album, Wild and Peaceful. Robert Spike Mickens | Discography | Discogs How did Ronald Bell die? | The Sun [18], After the release of Something Special (1981), which continued the level of success of the previous two albums, the band recorded their fourth and final album with Deodato, As One (1982). Philly battle rapper Tech 9's death reportedly ruled suicide | PhillyVoice The Hits Reloaded contained collaborations with artists such as Atomic Kitten, Lisa Stansfield and Jamiroquai. The band said Thomas "passed away peacefully in his sleep" in New Jersey. Robert Mickens passed away at age 59 years old on September 24, 2001. . [50], In 2012, Bell accepted Van Halen singer David Lee Roth's invitation for Kool & the Gang to be the opening act during their A Different Kind of Truth Tour as Roth had noticed a significant portion of their concert audience were women. . "[18][35] The band developed the song on a tour bus after attending the American Music Awards. By 1979, Kool & the Gang changed musical direction in two distinct ways. Thomas, Robert 'Spike' Mickens . Kool & the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960s to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop. Thomas Dies At Age 70", "Kool & The Gang Co-Founder Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas Has Died At Age 70", "Dennis Thomas: Kool & The Gang founding member dies aged 70", "Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas, Co-Founder of Kool & the Gang, Dies at 70", Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It), American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kool_%26_the_Gang&oldid=1139635325, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, George "Funky" Brown drums (19641989), percussion, keyboards (19891993),(1998present), Curtis "Fitz" Williams keyboards, alto saxophone (1982present), Shawn McQuiller vocals, guitar (1991present), Timothy Horton drums, percussion (1998present), Ricky West keyboards (19641976; died 1985), Robert "Spike" Mickens trumpet (19641986; died 2010), Woodrow "Woody" Sparrow rhythm and lead guitar (19641969; died 1969), Odeen Mays keyboards, vocals (19881997), Robert "Robbie G" Goble drums (19891993), This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 03:18. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. THOMAS MADE SURE THE BAND 'ALWAYS LOOKED FRESH'. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Kool & The Gang - Something Special: lyrics and songs | Deezer https://t.co/sh9tNAtCln. [37] Taylor was replaced by three vocalists: Sennie "Skip" Martin, Odeen Mays, and Gary Brown. Initially calling themselves the Jazziacs, the band underwent several name . Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, respectively. Their most successful albums of this period include Ladies' Night (1979), Celebrate! Drag images here or select from your computer for Robert Spike Mickens memorial. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Robert Lee Mickens (Sumter, South Carolina), who passed away on January 19, 2023, at the age of 62, leaving to mourn family and friends. The cause of death has not been released. Explore releases from Robert Spike Mickens at Discogs. Kool & the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960s to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop. No official cause of death has been disclosed. 46 on the Billboard R&B chart. Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky West. November 2, 2010, Far Rockaway, New York), Ricky West (original name Richard Westfield; b. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Dennis Thomas, Kool & the Gang co-founder, dies at 70 | CNN . Original trumpet player Robert "Spike" Mickens, who retired in 1986 due to poor health, died at the age of 59 on November 2, 2010, at a nursing home in Far Rockaway, New York. A cause of death was not provided. An original memberofKool & The Gang, Denniswas known as the quintessential cool cat in the group, loved for his hip clothes and hats, and hislaid-backdemeanor, the group said in a statement. The album reached No. Kool & the Gang - Wikipedia He was 68. Ronald "Khalis" Bell, a co-founder of funk mainstays Kool & The Gang who sang, co-wrote songs and played saxophone, died Wednesday at his U.S. Virgin Islands home.He was 68. Robert L Mickens of Bay Shore, Suffolk County, New York was born on February 10, 1942. Guitarist Charles Smith died after a long illness in 2006 and was replaced by the Bells' youngest brother, Amir Bayyan, former leader of the Kay Gees. By the spring of 1973, Kool & the Gang had started to observe disco music trends, which influenced the band to become what Robert Bell described as "a much harder, funkier, tighter" unit than before. ROBERT MICKENS JERSEY CITY Robert "Spike" Mickens, 59, passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, in a nursing home in Far Rockaway, NY after a long illness. Spike, as he was affectionately known as I cant thank you enough for the hours I spent as a 7 year old playing my parents Kool & The Gangs Celebrate album over and over. Their debut album spawned their first Billboard R&B charted single Kool & the Gang and later Let the Music Take Your Mind. Throughout the seventies, this blend produced a string of hits including "Jungle Boogie," . The group consisted of Ronald, his brother Robert "Kool" Bell, Dennis "D.T." Leave a sympathy message to the family on the . He was 57. Bell, the singer, songwriter and saxophonist, co-wrote some of the band's biggest hits, including "Ladies' Night," "Jungle Boogie" and "Celebration." [51] During that year they were also inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Guitarist Charles Smith died after a long illness in 2006 and was replaced by the Bells' youngest brother, Amir Bayyan, former leader of the Kay Gees. Learn all about Robert "Spike" Mickens on AllMusic. It spawned four US top 20 singles, including "Emergency", "Cherish", "Fresh", and "Misled". subject named as. Kool & the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960s to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop. 1 reference. We have set your language to They have undergone numerous changes in personnel and have explored many musical styles throughout their history, including jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, disco, rock, and pop music. At the time, we were all searching for spirituality and stuff like that, so DT is the one who came up with that announcement on the song.. Oct 23, 2013 - Robert "Spike" Mickens (Kool & the Gang trumpeter) 1951-2010. No cause of death has been announced at this time. Robert "Spike . [15], Their first gigs took place as the opening act to a weekly jazz night held in a local theatre every Sunday. The band said Thomas "passed away peacefully in his sleep" in New Jersey. His cause of death has not yet been announced. The cause of death has not been released. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. In 2020, an estimated 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned a . PDF IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE AT JACKSON July 9, 2002 Jamal Mickens, 40, fatally shot his wife in the head before turning his gun on . Try again later. [10] Among them were Robert "Kool" Bell on bass, his brother Ronald Bell on keyboards,[11] Robert "Spike" Mickens on trumpet, Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas on saxophone, Ricky West on keyboards, George Brown on drums, and Charles Smith guitar. How to pronounce Robert Spike Mickens | HowToPronounce.com [18] All songs on this album were written by Khalis Bayyan and Taylor. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. He was also the. During 2003 the band was bestowed with a Mobo Award for Outstanding Achievement. They were also inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015. Thomas also sang backing vocals as well as the occasional lead, like onLight of Worlds Rhyme Tyme People.. Robert Mickens - La Croix International The long-running group fused jazz, soul and funk. Taylor left the band for the second time in 1999. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Kool & the Gang is an American R&B/soul/funk band formed in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1964 by brothers Robert "Kool" Bell and Ronald Bell, with Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky West. Text "RICKEY" to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. Robert L Mickens (1942 - 2001) - Bay Shore, NY "Kool & The Gang co-founder Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas died in his sleep today at home in New Jersey, age 70. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Later in that decade he was in a group of New Jersey jazz musicians, including Ronald Bell (later Khalis Bayyan), Robert ``Kool Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas and Robert ``Spike Mickens, who became Kool & the Gang. These were their final albums before their amicable split with Redd. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Family members linked to this person will appear here. The cause of death was not given. In 1964, he and six of his friends brothers Ronald "Khalis" Bell and Robert "Kool" Bell, Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George . Thomas formed Kool & the Gang in 1964 with bassist Robert "Kool" Bell and his brother, the late tenor saxophonist Ronald Bell, along with drummer George Brown, guitarist Charles Smith, trumpeter Robert "Spike" Mickens and pianist Ricky Westfield. Bell passed away in the U.S. Virgin Islands at his home on Wednesday morning with his wife by his side, publicist. Enjoy the music collection of Robert Spike Mickens for free on Gaana.com. Chio said Saturday he did not know what the suspicious circumstances were, but the coroner . Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. I still love that album to this day," one person wrote. The album contained the US top-five single "Joanna". You can always change this later in your Account settings. He is survived by his daughter Tuesday Rankin and sons David Thomas and Devin Thomas. [38], In June 1984, Kool & the Gang took time off from recording Emergency to perform at Wembley Stadium as part of a sold-out summer concert organised by Elton John. 1 Hit 'Celebration': 'It's Stood the Test of Time', Kool and the Gang Co-Founder Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas Dies at 70: 'The Quintessential Cool Cat', Kool & the Gang Release 25th Album Shortly After Bandmate Dennis Thomas' Death: 'It Means a Lot', Dashed 'Dreams' and BrokenHearts: Inside the Tumultuous Making of Fleetwood Mac's'Rumours', Barry Manilow's New Dr Pepper Ad Made Him Nostalgic for His Jingle-Writing Days: 'It Paid the Rent', Procol Harum Frontman Gary Brooker Dies of Cancer at 76: 'A Brightly Shining, Irreplaceable Light'. The long-running group fused jazz, soul and funk. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. No cause of death was given. How to say Robert Spike Mickens in English? Dan was 38 at the time of his death. . [18], In 2015, 50 years after formation, the group received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All Public Member Trees results for Robert Mickens. Find out about soul singer Robert Kool Bell: Age, net worth, siblings, What he did before fame, his family life Fun facts: before fame, family life, popularity rankings, and more Translate 25 on the R&B chart. He was one of the original members of Kool & The Gang. NEW YORK STATE FAIR PAYS TRIBUTE TO THOMAS, WHO PERFORMED THERE, Mom 'stabs 3 of her kids to death and wounds 2 others in unsupervised visit', Daughter of murdered couple linked to Delphi case reveals paranoia, Serena Williams stepmom's debts continue to spiral amid crumbling home battle, Alex Murdaugh heckled after court with eerie warning about son being 'next', 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP. Songs written by Robert Mickens | SecondHandSongs Try again later. Ronald "Khalis" Bell, singer and co-founder of legendary R&B, soul, funk band Kool & the Gang, died at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday morning, said his . 1951, Jersey Cityd. Pronunciation of Robert Spike Mickens with 1 audio pronunciation and more for Robert Spike Mickens. Man hugs family after 137 days fighting COVID-19 . Robert Mickens from tree Mickens Family Tree. . Robert "Spike . Smith died in Maplewood, N.J., on Tuesday after a long illness, publicist David Brokaw said Thursday. No cause of death has been announced, Billboard reported. Robert passed away of cause of death on month day 1943, at age 85 at death place, Virginia. Over the past 35 years, the previous one-year total was 12 in . Robert Mickens (1921 - 1978) - Biography and Family Tree - AncientFaces Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Arnold Lee Mickens Death - Obituary, Cause Of Death Robert Mickens - Ancestry.com Kool & The Gang Biography | OLDIES.com A cause of death has not been. ``Weve lost a member of our family, as well as an infinitely creative and gifted artist who was with the band from the very beginning, band manager Tia Sinclair said in a statement. "[11] Also at this time, the group were asked to deliver songs with vocals. Brokaw did not know the cause of death. The cause of Dan's death is unknown pending the result of a toxicology report. He brought the hip jazz in the late 60s, Hollywood Swinging/Jungle Boogie, a Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, adamant to be the kings of the disco scene, and to become the most sampled act in hip-hop classics pic.twitter.com/Rx2c0wdxJs, NEW YORK STATE FAIR PAID TRIBUTE TO THOMAS. The band performed under various names before its members . Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens . However, their manager Gene Redd advised against it to avoid confusion with James Brown's band, The Famous Flames, leading to a further change to Kool & the Gang, in 1969. Two further singles, "Holiday" and "Special Way" were also released from the album; the former reached the top ten on the R&B Chart, the latter hit reached No. Robert Lee Mickens Obituary (1960 - 2023) | Sumter, South Carolina He died after a . She starred in the sitcom Family Matters. Ronald "Khalis" Bell has sadly passed away at the age of 68. Robert "Kool" Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas and Robert "Spike" Mickens -- who became Kool & the Gang. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. [38][39] In 1985, Bell said the band retained control of their own business affairs, avoiding to hire management on a full-time basis and preferring to hire consultants and agents for each project or a single term. The cause of death has not been released. [23][8] Later that year, Celebrate! . Ron Wynn of Allmusic called the album "a completely faceless, aimless record probably the worst album of their career. The lineup comprised of Bell and his brother, Robert "Kool" Bell, as well as neighborhood friends Robert "Spike" Mickens, Dennis "D.T." FANS of Kool & the Gang are mourning the death of one of their own. Thomas was born in 1951 in Orlando, Florida, and formed his first band in 1964 The Jazzies with seven of his teenage friends: brothers Ronald Bell and Robert "Kool" Bell, Spike Mickens . He died at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands and it was reportedly a sudden death. [49] Still Kool has also been certified Platinum in France by the SNEP. Explore. "[29], During their low period, the band gained some mainstream attention with their contribution of "Open Sesame" to the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever (1977). Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens . Smith died in Maplewood, N.J., on Tuesday after a long illness, publicist David Brokaw said Thursday. Robert "Spike" Mickens Charles Smith . Kool & the Gang | Members, Songs, & Facts | Britannica Pope Benedict XVI said at his general audience on Wednesday that . [44] The group rehearsed their stage show with a choreographer at Prince's studio at Paisley Park. This feat made Kool & the Gang the only band to have four top 20 singles from a single album in 1985. Artist: Ricky West | SecondHandSongs Kool & the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960s to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop. Watch. This was helped by the hit singles "Too Hot" and "Ladies' Night", which went to No. Taylor to the line-up. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Kool & the Gang participated in the project. [48] During 2007 the band released another album entitled Still Kool. Writer Mike Duffy wrote: "They've joined the disco lemmings [] The edge has gone. Bell died at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands Wednesday morning with his wife by his side, publicist Sujata Murthy said. The cause of death has not been released. . Other articles where Robert Mickens is discussed: Kool & the Gang: August 7, 2021, New Jersey), Robert ("Spike") Mickens (b. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. The cause of death was not announced. Ronald Bell and his brother Robert 'Kool' Bell formed the band in 1964 by teaming up with neighborhood friends Dennis 'D.T." Thomas, Charles Smith, George Brown, Robert "Spike" Mickens, and Ricky West. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky West. Robert "Spike . Weve updated the security on the site. [27][28] The latter album received negative responses; one review for Everybody's Dancin' had the headline: "Kool and the Gang have gone bland." . The reason for his death hasn't been disclosed. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Mickens on SSPX | America Magazine Brothers Robert and Ronald Bell, along with friends Dennis Thomas, Robert Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky Westfield founded the group in 1964 in New Jersey, first under the name the Jazziacs. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. [33] The change in style developed further when the band entered a four-album association with Brazilian musician, songwriter, and arranger Eumir Deodato as their producer, who helped them move towards mainstream pop and dance-oriented music with greater emphasis on catchy hooks and chorus lines. Bell died at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday morning with his wife by his. Robert Mickens, LCI Editor in Chief, has lived, studied and worked in Rome for 30 years. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Their hit singles during this period included "Ladies' Night", the US No. Only Ronald Kool Bell and drummer-keyboardist George Brown remain from the bands 1964 formation. The elements of jazz, rock, and instrumental styles on the record made it difficult for reviewers to label them as one specific genre. Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens . Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? There are no volunteers for this cemetery. [59], Alto saxophonist Dennis "D.T." Composers: Ronald Nathan Bell - J.T. Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, a co-founder of the legendary soul-funk band Kool and the Gang, died on Saturday at age 70, the group announced. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. The cause of death has not been released. The legendary music group announced Thomas'. The cause of death has not been released. KOOL & The Gangs co-founder and saxophonist Dennis Dee Tee Thomas has died at the age of 70. In addition to Kool & the Gang, Ronald also worked as a producer and arranger for artists such as the Fugees, Jimmy Cliff, House of Pain, Phillip Glass and Rachid. By this time Khalis Bayyan and Robert "Spike" Mickens also had departed the band. A huge personality while also an extremely private person, Dennis was the alto saxophone player, flutist, percussionist as well asmaster of ceremonies at the bands shows," the band's statement went on. Along with Thomas and the brothers, the New Jersey group's founding members included Robert "Spike" Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith. View our online Press Pack. Taylor - Sandy Linzer - James L. Bonnefond - Curtis Williams - Charles Smith - Robert Bell - George Melvin Brown - Curtis Fitzgerald Williams - Dennis Ronald Thomas - James Taylor - Robert Spike Mickens - George Ronald Brown This article is about the band. Robert Mickens, the hack fired by (even) the Tablet for wishing death to Pope Benedict, and afterwards hired by an unspeakably un-Catholic "catholic" rag, outed himself as a pervert. Kool & the Gang co-founder Dennis Thomas, often referred to as "Dee Tee," has died. [34] At the time of the tour's start, the band ceased producing adverts with Schlitz beer because of their new image towards children and that they felt it had run its course. Failed to delete memorial. Robert Mickens. Robert Spike Mickens, Soundtrack: 2 Fast 2 Furious. Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky West rounded out the rest of the band.Also Read: 'Lockdown': Anne Hathaway in Talks to Star in Doug Liman .