Kool and the Gang is an American band from Jersey City, New Jersey, formed in 1964. Blending R&B, soul, funk, jazz, and pop, the group is known for its energetic sound and upbeat anthems. Founded by brothers Robert Kool Bell and Ronald Bell along with several others, Kool and the Gang went through multiple lineup changes and musical styles over the decades. The band gained early success in the 1970s with hits like Jungle Boogie and Hollywood Swinging and reached new heights in the 1980s with songs such as Celebration, Ladies Night, Joanna, and Cherish. With James JT Taylor joining as lead singer and collaborations with producer Eumir Deodato, they became one of the most popular funk and disco bands of the era. Their best-selling album, Emergency, sold two million copies in the United States. Kool and the Gang have won two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and received numerous honors including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. With 23 studio albums and nearly 70 singles, the group has sold over 70 million records worldwide and continues to perform around the globe.