Kool & The Gang co-founder Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell dies aged 68

Ronald “Khalis” Bell, who co-founded funk and R&B pioneers Kool & The Gang, has died aged 68.

Kool & The Gang. Picture: Ebet Roberts/Redferns

The man who famously wrote iconic songs such as Celebration and Jungle Boogie has died.

Ronald “Khalis” Bell, who co-founded funk and R&B pioneers Kool & The Gang, was 68.

The band’s publicist said Bell died in his Virgin Islands home with his wife by his side but no cause has been given.

Bell started the group with his brother Robert “Kool” Bell along with neighbourhood friends Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky West.

Ronald Bell of Kool & The Gang has died aged 68. Picture: Carrasquillo/Getty Images

He wrote some of the group’s biggest hits, including Jungle Boogie, Celebration and Get Down On It, with James Taylor.

Celebration was a US number one hit for the band and was inspired by Bell’s Islamic faith.

Kool & The Gang won two Grammy Awards, one or their work on the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever.

Recently Bell had been working on a series of collaborations including a solo endeavour, “Kool Baby Brotha Band”.

He also had plans of putting together a series of animated shorts called “Kool TV” about their childhood and career.

He is survived by 10 children.