Kool & The Gang Agent On Ronald 'Khalis' Bell's Passing: 'The World Has Lost A Special Human Being'

Courtesy Tia Sinclair Bell – Kool & The Gang
L-R: Ronald Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas, Robert Bell

UPDATE: Kool & The Gang agent and Pyramid Entertainment CEO Sal Michaels had the following to say about Bell’s passing:

I have known Ronald “Khalis” Bell for over 40 years. Pyramid Entertainment has been Kool & The Gang’s booking agent since the 1980’s and Khalis became a friend, much more than a client.

He was a kind and humble man and one of the best saxophone players. Khalis was a creative genius which is evident in the body of work and the hits that remain current today.

The world has lost a legendary song writer, sax player and special human being.

He will be missed.

Previously:

Ronald “Khalis” Bell died suddenly early Wednesday morning, according to a statement from his label publicist, Sujata Murthy. He was at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands with his wife, Tia Sinclair Bell. He was 68. His cause of death was not disclosed.

“Khalis” was a driving force behind one of the most successful groups of the last five decades, forming the group in 1964 with brother, Robert “Kool” Bell, and neighborhood friends Spike Mickens, Dennis Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith. They went on to create a popular blend of jazz, soul and funk, officially becoming Kool & The Gang in 1969.

Khalis’ touch can be heard on hits including the ubiquitous “Celebration,” “Cherish,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Summer Madness” and “Open Sesame.”

The band has 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, with their label saying the are the most sampled band of all time.

Khalis was working on a series of collaborations including his solo endeavor, “Kool Baby Brotha Band.” He was also working on “Kool TV,” a series of animated shorts about their childhood and career.

The band has remained active touring and into 2020, with recent performances at The Venue At Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Ind., which sold 1,083 tickets on March 6 and supported Van Halen on its 2012 tour.