Dennis "Dee Tee" Ronald Thomas (February 9, 1951 – August 7, 2021) was an American alto saxophone player, flautist, and percussionist, who was a founding member of R&B/soul/funk band Kool & the Gang, and one of the few members to remain with the band for over 50 years, from its foundation in 1964 until his death in 2021.
Biography
Early life Born in Orlando, Florida, like most of his founding bandmates, Thomas attended Lincoln High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. In 1964, Thomas—then only thirteen years old—co-founded Kool & the Gang (initially called "The Jazziacs") with brothers Ronald Bell and Robert "Kool" Bell, and other friends.
Kool & the Gang
Thomas "was known as the quintessential cool cat in the group" due to his fashion sense and "laid-back demeanor". In addition to his musicianship, Thomas was "master of ceremonies at the band's shows" and "the group's wardrobe stylist", as well as being responsible for the group's revenues, which carried "in a paper bag in the bell of his horn". In the late 1980s, the group had discussed pursuing solo projects, with Thomas suggesting the band had considered splitting into twos or threes for various projects.
In 2024, Thomas was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of Kool & the Gang.
Personal life and death Thomas married Phynjuar Saunders, with whom he had two children, including actress Michelle Thomas known for her roles in The Cosby Show, Family Matters, and The Young and the Restless. The couple lived in Montclair, New Jersey. Thomas died in his sleep at the age of 70.
Discography
Studio albums YearAlbum1969Kool and the Gang1972Music Is the MessageGood Times1973Wild and Peaceful1974Light of Worlds1975Spirit of the Boogie1976Love & UnderstandingOpen Sesame1977The Force1978Everybody's Dancin'1979Ladies' Night1980Celebrate!1981Something Special1982As One1983In the Heart1984Emergency1986Forever1989Sweat1992Unite1996State of Affairs2001Gangland2004The Hits: Reloaded2007Still Kool2013Kool for the Holidays2021Perfect Union
Live albums YearAlbum1971Live at the Sex MachineLive at PJ's1998Greatest Hits Live2002Too Hot Live2010The Very Best-Live In Concert
Singles YearSingle1969"Kool and the Gang""The Gang's Back Again" (A-side)"Kool's Back Again" (B-side)1970"Kool It (Here Comes The Fuzz)""Let the Music Take Your Mind""Funky Man"1971"Who's Gonna Take the Weight (Part One)""I Want to Take You Higher""N.T. Part I"1972"Love the Life You Live, Part I""Music Is the Message (Part 1)""Funky Granny""Good Times"1973"Country Junky""Funky Stuff""Jungle Boogie"1974"Hollywood Swinging""Higher Plane""Rhyme Tyme People"1975"Spirit of the Boogie" (A-side)"Summer Madness" (B-side)"Caribbean Festival"1976"Love and Understanding (Come Together)""Universal Sound""Open Sesame - Part 1"1977"Super Band"1978"Slick Superchick""A Place in Space""I Like Music""Everybody's Dancin'"1979"Ladies' Night""Too Hot"1980"Hangin' Out""Celebration"1981"Take It to the Top""Jones vs. Jones""Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)""Steppin' Out""Get Down on It"1982"No Show""Big Fun""Let's Go Dancin' (Ooh La, La, La)""Hi De Hi, Hi De Ho"1983"Street Kids""Straight Ahead""Joanna"1984"Tonight""(When You Say You Love Somebody) In the Heart""Fresh""Misled"1985"Cherish""Emergency"1986"Victory"1987"Stone Love""Holiday""Special Way""Peace Maker"1988"Rags to Riches""Strong""Celebration" (remix)1989"Raindrops""Never Give Up"1991"Get Down on It" (remix)1992"(Jump Up on The) Rhythm and Ride"1996"Salute to the Ladies"2003"Ladies Night" (with Atomic Kitten)2004"Fresh" (with Liberty X)"Too Hot" (with Lisa Stansfield)"Get Down on It" (with Blue & Lil' Kim)2005"Hollywood Swinging" (with Jamiroquai)"No Show" (featuring Blackstreet)2006"Steppin' into Love"2010"Miss Lead" (ft. Towanna)2016"Sexy (Where'd You Get Yours)"2021"Pursuit of Happiness" (Rap Version)
References