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Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2443
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 9:30 am: | 
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Kool & the Gang co-founder dead
Claydes Charles Smith co-wrote 'Celebration,' 'Jungle Boogie'
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Claydes Charles Smith, a co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang, has died. He was 57.
Smith died Tuesday in Maplewood, New Jersey, after a long illness, his publicist said.
Kool & the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960s to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop. After a downturn, the group enjoyed a return to stardom in the '80s.
Smith wrote the hits "Joanna" and "Take My Heart," and was a co-writer of others, including "Celebration," "Hollywood Swinging" and "Jungle Boogie."
Smith was introduced to jazz guitar by his father in the early 1960s.
Later in that decade, he was in a group of New Jersey jazz musicians, including Ronald Bell (later Khalis Bayyan), Robert "Kool" Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas and Robert "Spike" Mickens, who became Kool & the Gang. Other members would include lead singer James "JT" Taylor.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/23/obit.smith.ap/index.html |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6586
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 9:36 am: |
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Thats too bad. Celebration was my High School Class Graduation song. Yikes. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5439
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 2:05 pm: |
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According to News 12 he died in Maplewood. |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2460
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 2:19 pm: |
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JGA - That's what the article above says, too. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6603
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 2:44 pm: |
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Celebbration is also one of my son's FAVORITE songs. At least I won't have to explain this to him. Immortality is achieved through music. |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2635
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 2:50 pm: |
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He is listed in the phonebook as living in Maplewood. Quite sad but as Duncan said he has achieved immortality. |
juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 277
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 4:40 pm: |
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What a way to learn about a local celebrity. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5445
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 10:23 pm: |
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Pippi-
Thanks! I see that now. My friend's kid typed it for me while we were at the library because I didn't have my regular pair of glasses and couldn't see the screen through the sun glasses. I asked her if the original post mentioned 'Maplewood' and she told me 'No!' I also learned today he use to live on Vose Ave by Mead Street, in South Orange. I like K and th Gang and was sad to hear he passed away. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 617
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 2:52 pm: |
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I always loved K and the G as a teen. I had no idea he lived here! Did he have kids or other family who are part of the community still? |
marie
Citizen
Username: Marie
Post Number: 1458
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 4:48 pm: |
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yes, he has two sons, one of whom is a rapper and the other a video/music producer.
i believe they still live in the newstead area.
j has a myspace and goes by the name of jmello - the boy named nothing voice of the suburbs. if you go to our myspace ( transcend skate shop ) he listed in our top .
condolences to j and his brother. |
marie
Citizen
Username: Marie
Post Number: 1459
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 4:56 pm: |
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that's top "8" |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 624
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 11:14 am: |
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Thanks Marie! My condonlences to his sons, then! |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 625
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 11:15 am: |
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Condolences, that is. |
teach75
Citizen
Username: Teach75
Post Number: 45
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 2:47 pm: |
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I graduated from CHS with one of his sons. He was a really nice, down to earth guy. My condolences go out to the family. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 764
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 2:55 pm: |
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Kool and the Gang also lived on Scotland Rd in South Orange during their high times. The did most of their recordings in "The House of Music" in West Orange. HOM used to be "the" recording studio on the East Coast..don't know if they still are but Hall & Oats did most of their work there too. We have a lot of local celebs... The original drummer from Joan Jett lives in Maplewood. There is also a famous news guy that lives right in town..
My condolences to the K & G family I had the pleasure of meeting some of you years ago. Your music will always be part of me.. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5467
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 4:02 pm: |
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Bajou
Is House of Music the same place I'm thinking of? The one owned by Bonjovinnie or something like that? The guy who use to help get M gigs at some of the places he use to play at? Remember the Dirt Club? Hurricane Alley? The Pony? The places in the City M's father use to rent buses for so we could all get there safely? |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5468
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 4:07 pm: |
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BTW I was told the Bay City Rollers also use to live in South Orange Maplewood! John Scherer (sp) still lives here and Don Kirschner (sp) used to live here as well.
Kool and the Gang's music will continue to be a big part of many people's lives. My condolences go out to the family along with everyone else's. |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 2398
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 4:14 pm: |
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Jon Scher and Don Kirschner did, indeed, live in South Orange. The Kirschners lived in Newstead, though I am not sure if they still live there.
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Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 771
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 4:27 pm: |
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JTA yeah I think it was owned by the uncle of bonjovi. State of the art facility. The Shue kids (Andrew and Elsabeth) are from town and so it Lauryn Hill. |
Smoochie
Citizen
Username: Smoochie
Post Number: 95
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 5:11 pm: |
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House of Music is long gone. Used to be on Pleasant Valley Way. The song Pleasant Valley Sunday is actually about the area! The Kirchners no longer live in SO, 10 or more years. Bay City Rollers rented in SO a house while they were recording an album at HOM.
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Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 774
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 6:08 pm: |
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AAAAHHHHH smoochie say it ain't so. I have fond memories of sitting in the soundbooth when a was 20 years old....sigh
I am getting old....my son explaining the backround noise while on the phone..."Oh that's my mom..she is listening to her oldies"...
My son describing me to the mother of a new friend: Yeah my mom well she is average height, and middle aged..."
I AM 39!!!!! |
Smoochie
Citizen
Username: Smoochie
Post Number: 96
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 7:55 pm: |
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Bajou,
I know the feeling.
I believe (although you have been there more than I) The Solomon Schecter school and some of the campus, is where it used to be. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5475
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 12:38 am: |
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ess-
John Sherer still lives in Newstead on XXXXX I better not post the street. I think the last I heard from some Livingston Police Officers I'm friendly with Kirschner lived in Livingston on XXXX. Haven't asked in a while so I'm not sure if he still lives there.
Bajou-
Yes, he was John's uncle. I think his first name is Tony. I still have his business card somewhere. Even have M's old cards! LOL Lisa and Andy use to live down the street from me. Willie was in my class all through school (except for when they lived in Africa). There are many famous people who call South Orange 'home.'
John's cousin Jody also has a band -Jody Joseph and the Average Joes http://www.jodyjoseph.net/ If anyone is interested I'm trying to get a group of people to go hear them at the Liberty Tavern Friday 7 July. It's right off Vaxuall Road by the enterance to 78. Several bands with Maplewood roots play there. I think even one of the guys in Jody's band is from here originally. |
flugermongers
Citizen
Username: Flugermongers
Post Number: 655
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 2:36 am: |
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Oh yeah I knew some of K&G were around here. That's so sad..  |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5480
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 9:48 am: |
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I just heard the song "Celebration" from the car next to me as I drove home. Made me sad... |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1559
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 2:22 pm: |
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Good times are on my mind
School is out and its Summertime
Vacation time for the working man
People on the Beaches,
Playing in the sand
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Ken Shane
Citizen
Username: Kshane
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 10:10 pm: |
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The House of Music has been gone for awhile. It was owned by Charlie and Irene Conrad, and Stephan Galfus (sp?). Kool & the Gang recorded some of their biggest hits there. Another major hit album that was recorded at the House of Music was "Bat Out of Hell" by Meatloaf. |
JerryC
Citizen
Username: Jerryc
Post Number: 276
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 1:30 am: |
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Not to mention "Temptation" by The Stanky Brown Group produced at HOM by Maplewood's own Jame Mtume. |
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