Kool & The Gang Bandleader Visits DSU
Some DSU students were exposed recently to some black music history as Robert “Kool” Bell of the famed R&B group Kool & The Gang paid a visit to DSU.
“Kool” addressed students in the Global Societies Program, Africana Studies Department, and The Movement Organization as part of a Feb. 21 event entitled “A Conversation With Kool.” He was invited to DSU by Ezrah Aharone, Global Societies Program adjunct instructor, who is a friend of the band leader.
The event – held in the second floor parlor C of the MLK Student Center – was organized in an interview format with Mr. Aharone and Dr. Donna Paterson, director of Africana Studies at DSU, and incorporated questions and answers from students.
shared various aspects of his career and spoke comprehensively on subjects ranging from the 1964 origin of the band, his most memorable moments as a performer, and the international fame of the group as they began traveling the world as teenagers. He also talked about his foundation “Kool to Stay in School,” as well as his global business venture to bring clean energy to Africa and around the world.
The famed band leader expressed his gratitude to Mr. Aharone and Dr. Akwasi Osei, chair of the Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy, for bringing him to DSU.
“I really enjoyed meeting so many bright and excited students and being able to share some of my world experiences to help motivate them to become more global minded,” Kool said. “This gives me a personal joy just like being on stage and playing our message music that fans appreciate so much.”
Kool & The Gang – which is most prominently known from its hits in the 1970s and 80s – has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of three generations. They have earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. Kool & The Gang has performed continuously for the past 45 years and the group’s music is frequently sampled by other artists.