Dennis Thomas- Biography
Dennis Thomas was a member of Kool & the Gang from its inception in the 1960s to their most current releases, appearing on every album, including the impending Perfect Union. Thomas was the band’s saxophonist, but he also played a number of other instruments and had a variety of jobs during his tenure with them. He was the master of ceremonies for the band’s shows. On July 4th, he performed with the band at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Dennis Thomas died in his sleep on August 7, 2021, at Montclair, New Jersey, where he had spent the last days of his life.
What is the Net Worth of Dennis Thomas? Salary, Earnings
Dennis spent nearly five decades of his life in the music industry, where he achieved fame and money. His net worth is estimated to be approximately $3 million, with his singing passion and career serving as his primary source of income.
Dennis Thomas- Birth, Age, Ethnicity, Siblings, Education
Dennis Thomas was born on February 9, 1951, in Orlando, Florida. In 1964, he and six friends, brothers Ronald “Khalis” and Robert “Kool” Bell, Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith, began playing music together and created a unique musical blend of jazz, soul, and funk. They were originally known as the Jazziacs and went by a variety of different aliases before being dubbed Kool and the Gang. They founded their brand in 1969 and have won countless prizes since then, including two Grammys and seven American Music Awards.
There is no information about her educational background.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | Dennis D.T. Thomas |
| Birth Date | 9 February 1951 |
| Died Date | 7 August 2021 |
| Aged | 70 Years |
| Birth Place | Jersey City, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Composer |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sun sign | Aquarius |
Dennis Thomas- Relationship, Married Life
His wife is an actress who also teaches acting classes. She has two AUDELCO awards and has been nominated for Best Actress three times. Stand-up comedy is one of her passions. Dennis had five children in total. His three daughters were Michelle Thomas, Tracy Jackson, and Tuesday Rankin and his two sons were David Thomas and Devin Thomas.
Dennis Thomas- Professional Career
Thomas was a founding member of the group, along with Robert “Kool” Bell, his brother Ronald, who died last year, and four other classmates: Robert Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky Westfield, who created the group in 1964. Their gang had been split in two. In the early 1970s, they had US hits with songs like Jungle Boogie and Hollywood Swinging, which featured foot-stomping funk. With the addition of vocalist James “JT” Taylor in 1979, they morphed into a hit-making R&B band, enjoying their biggest commercial victory as they reached their 20th anniversary.
They scored significant hits in the 1980s with heartbreaking ballads such as Joanna and Cherish, as well as party tunes such as Steppin’ Out, Get Down On It, and Celebration, which is now their most-streamed song on Spotify. The band received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015 for their achievements in the entertainment business, and they were inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2018. Dennis Thomas, songwriter of “Celebration” and “Get Down On It,” died on August 7, 2021. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday in Montclair, New Jersey, where he had lived for many years. Thomas’ death comes nearly a year after that of his bandmate Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell, who died in September at the age of 68 at his home in the US Virgin Islands.
Body Measurements: Height, Weight, Hair color
| Height | in feet inches – 5’ 11” – in Centimeters – 180 cm |
| Weight | in Kilograms – 82 kg – in Pounds – 180 lbs |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type | Average |
Social Media Details
Dennis Thomas does not have an official presence on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
Trivia
- He and Kool & The Gang were inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in the category of Performance Arts in 2015.
- He founded and was a member of Kool & The Gang.
- The band has received two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards. The gang got the Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
- Their music has been sampled and utilized on soundtracks for films such as Rocky, Saturday Night Fever, and Pulp Fiction.
- Dennis also functioned as the group’s wardrobe stylist, ensuring that everyone looked decent at all times.
- In the early days of the band, he was known as the “Budget Hawk,” because he carried the band’s earnings in a paper bag in the bell of his horn.
