Robert Kool Bell
Biography
Robert Earl "Kool" Bell (born October 8, 1950), also known by the name Muhammad Bayyan, is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is the last surviving founding member of the American R&B, soul, funk and disco band Kool & the Gang. Bell was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Aminah Bayyan (1932–2014) and Robert "Bobby" Bell (1929–1985). Bell grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. Growing up, Bell was nicknamed "Kool", due to being "laid back": That's a nickname from the neighborhood I grew up in here in Jersey City. It's a faddish thing and I just happened to take the name Kool 'cause I'm kind of a laid back person. Along with his brother, Ronald Bell, he began playing jazz, and in 1964 they formed a group named The Jazziacs. They began playing at clubs in New York City under a series of different band names before settling on the name Kool & the Gang in 1968. Their debut album, Kool and the Gang, was released the following year. The band's first major hit came in 1973, with "Jungle Boogie", which charted at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Their first number one hit single was "Spirit of the Boogie", which was released in 1975. Bell, along with Kool & the Gang members James "J.T." Taylor and Dennis Thomas, were a part of the 1984 charity supergroup Band Aid. Kool & the Gang have won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and, in 2006, a Music Business Association Chairman's Award for artistic achievement. The band recorded nine No. 1 R&B singles in the 1970s and 1980s, including its No. 1 pop single "Celebration". They have seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. The group is honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. As of 2024, Bell still tours with Kool & the Gang. In 2024, Bell was selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of Kool & the Gang. Bell's younger brother, Ronald Bell, was also a musician, and co-formed the band with Robert in 1964. Both brothers converted to Islam in 1972. Ronald died of undisclosed causes on September 9, 2020. In 1971, Robert married Deborah Jones. Bell and Jones met when they were teenagers. Deborah died on November 4, 2018, aged 67. Her death was later revealed to have been the result of a long-standing illness. Together, they had two sons, one of whom has worked with Kool & the Gang in the past. Source: Article "Robert "Kool" Bell" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Known For & Full Filmography14 Titles
Drama Series - 1987, 16 episodes • as Self - Kool & the Gang
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 1982, 16 episodes • as Self - Kool & the Gang
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 1987, 16 episodes • as Self - Kool & the Gang
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2017, 2h 15m • as Self - Kool & the Gang
Vincent and Antoine, tired of the tours, decide to go on holiday with all the troop of Stars 80.
Movie - 2018, 2h 15m • as Self
Concert filmed at the Event Halle at Messe Basel on November 3, 2017 during the Baloise Session Festival.
Movie - 2012, 2h 15m • as Self
Why won’t Disco die? Might it contain hidden depths? Politically correct revisionists are trying to recast disco as a misunderstood culture of protest. Through interviews with Gloria Gaynor, The Village People, Kool and the Gang and others, along with a goldmine of stock footage and speculative reenactments, The Secret Disco Revolution presents a comic-ironic investigation into disco and its mysterious longevity.
Movie - 2025, 2h 15m • as Self
The 99th annual Macy's Day Parade will feature performers such as Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson and the stars of the hit Netflix movie "KPop Demon Hunters."
Movie - 2005, 2h 15m • as Self
Kool & The Gang - 40th Anniversary Concert
Movie - 1999, 2h 15m • as Self
For three decades, the German television mega-hit "MusikLaden" drew an impressive list of musical legends from all over the world, capturing rare and memorable live concert performances. In this energetic show taped in 1982, disco impresarios Kool and the Gang perform hit songs with a unique blend of R&B, funk and disco, including "Celebration," "Ladies Night," "Get Down On It," "Too Hot," "Go Dancing" and "Big Fun."
Movie - 2017, 2h 15m • as Self - Kool & the Gang
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2007, 2h 15m • as Self
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2001, 2h 15m • as Self
The concert was filmed at the House of Blues in Chicago. Tracks: 1. Emergency 2. Hollywood Swinging 3. Jungle Boogie 4. Kool and the Gang 5. Breeze and Soul 6. Chocolate Buttermilk 7. Sea of Tranquility 8. Let the Music Take Your Mind 9. Wild and Peaceful 10. Open Sesame 11. Summer Madness 12. Ladies Night 13. Get Down on It 14. Celebration
Movie - 2009, 2h 15m • as Self
To celebrate their 40th Anniversary, The Greatest Hits Concert - live from Denver. Re-live the incredible story of Kool & The Gang through the songs that made the legends happen. From the 60s to the 90s, Kool & The Gang found a special sound at the unique intersection of Jazz, R&B, Funk and Pop. From the loose groove of Funky Stuff to the wild stomp of Jungle Boogie, the gentle reomance of Cherish to the elegant disco of Ladie's Night and the street-smart chant Hollywood Singing to the international anthem Celebration, it's an extraordinary sweep of popular music.
Movie - 2005, 2h 15m • as Self
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.