Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas (February 9, 1951 – August 7, 2021) – Rhyme Tyme People (1974)

The Kool & the Gang co-founder and multi-instrumentalist co-wrote this funky jam and #3 R&B hit for their acclaimed Light of Worlds album.

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Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas was one of the founding members of Kool & the Gang. A supremely talented multi-instrumentalist who played alto sax, flute, and percussion, his tenure with the group lasted over fifty years. He was the designated MC at their live shows, as well as their wardrobe stylist.

Born in Orlando, Florida, but raised in New Jersey, Thomas was only 13 years old when he became an original member of the Jazziacs in 1964 with friends including Ronald and Robert “Kool” Bell. Most of the group attended Lincoln High School in Jersey City, NJ. After several name changes they became Kool & the Gang in 1969.

See our earlier posts on Ronald Bell, longtime drummer George “Funky” Brown, lead singer J.T. Taylor, and producer Eumir Deodato for more on the group’s history.

One of Thomas’ most memorable moments was on their 1971 Live At The Sex Machine album, when he delivered the epic prologue to “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight.” Sadly still as relevant today as when the track was recorded, it was a powerful call for us all to wake up and do something to bring about change.

“People...the world today is in a very difficult situation. And we all know it, because we're the ones who created it. And we're gonna have to be the ones to clean it up. We're gonna have to learn to live together and love each other. Beucause I believe one day, some one or some thing is gonna want to judge who's creating all this corruption and death and pollution and all these difficult situations on Earth. And he's gonna want to know...who's gonna take the weight?”

For their breakthrough LP Wild and Peaceful, Thomas co-wrote the superb self-empowerment anthem “Life Is What You Make It.” Released in September, 1973, the record peaked at #6 R&B and #33 on the Billboard 200, and spent 36 weeks on the album charts.

Kool & the Gang’s 1974 album Light of Worlds is widely considered to be the group’s strongest, most spiritual full-length record, highlighted by the classic instrumental “Summer Madness.” Thomas and his girlfriend (later wife) Penni Saunders co-wrote its stellar jam “Rhyme Tyme People,” which Thomas also arranged and sang lead vocals on.

It was issued as the A-side on a single b/w a special Christmas version of “Father Father” written by George Brown on the flip. Although it only reached #63 on the Billboard Hot 100, a far cry from their recent top-ten hits “Jungle Boogie” (1973) and “Hollywood Swinging” (1974), it still went to #3 R&B. The track was funky enough for the Soul Train dancers to get down to even when the group wasn’t appearing on the show.

In addition to his more frequent alto sax work on their songs, Thomas also played flute, as shown by this stellar live performance at Cannes in 1975, starting at 9:00.

Happy Cosmic Birthday to the great Dee Tee Thomas.

Further info:

“Statement of passing of Dennis Thomas,” by Kool & the Gang, Facebook, August 7, 2021.

"Dennis Thomas, founding member of Kool & the Gang, dies aged 70," obituary, The Guardian, August 8, 2021.

“Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas, Saxophonist for Kool & the Gang,” obituary, The New York Times, August 9, 2021.

#soul #jazz #funk #KoolandtheGang #DennisThomas