By: NATASHA SMITH
UNDISPUTED KINGS of disco, Kool and the Gang, will be performing at the Vale do Lobo Tennis Centre on July 25, at 10pm. If you are finding it difficult to remember them, here is a little trip down memory lane.
The band, originally called the Jazziacs, formed in New Jersey, US, in 1964. They were known for playing jazz and then R&B funk before developing their signature music genre, disco. Their styles incorporated several different music influences, including pop.
The main members of the group were brothers Robert and Ronald Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas, Robert Mickens and Claydes Charles Smith, who died last year. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1969 after they changed their name to Kool and the Gang. They had moderate success with this and their live and studio albums that followed. But it was in 1973 that they hit the big time. With their album Wild and Peaceful, featuring Jungle Boogie, they were catapulted to fame. Spirit of the Boogie, which was released two years later, is regarded by many as their greatest to date. They then moved deeper into producing disco music.
One of their most famous and most recognisable songs was Ladies’ Night, released in 1979. The following year, they hit gold again with Celebration, which became their only ever hit to reach number one in the US charts, although several of their songs reached the top spot in the R&B charts.
Legendary
Kool and the Gang only managed to reach number two in the UK charts with Joanna in 1983 and the number three spot with Get down on it but nonetheless they are legendary. They epitomised the disco generation and, with other artists at the time, developed a new zeitgeist of dance and ‘celebration’. The echoes
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of their music still resonate in today’s dance music. So much so that Kool and the Gang is one of the most sampled artists of all time.
They have just embarked on a US and European tour, which ends in November. Their only concert in Portugal will take place in the Algarve on July 25 at Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy so do not miss this opportunity to groove to legends in their own right.
Different tickets are available for the concert. A private box can be purchased, with a capacity of six people, for 600 euros and this includes a free bottle of champagne and free drinks for the duration of the concert. Premier seats are available at 75 euros per person or alternatively, for those who want to dance, standing tickets are available at 50 euros each. For more information, please contact info@premier-sports.org or call 289 357 850.
