Kool & The Gang draws massive crowd to close day three of Sternwheel Regatta

By Matthew Young, RealWV

Despite the constant threat of showers, Grammy Award-winning R&B, funk, and soul legends Kool & The Gang played through the catalog of their greatest hits on Sunday night, and eager fans packed Kanawha Blvd. to hear every single one.

Originally formed in 1964, Kool & The Gang gained mainstream success with the release of 1973’s full length album, “Wild and Peaceful,” which featured the smash mega-hit, “Jungle Boogie.” Since then, the group has recorded hit after hit, including “Ladies’ Night,” “Cherish,” “Get Down on it,” “Fresh,” “Celebration,” and many more.

Although the band has gone through numerous personnel changes throughout the decades, original members George “Funky” Brown and Muhhammad Bayyan (a.k.a. Robert “Kool” Bell) are still performing with the group. Additional current members of Kool & The Gang include Amir Bayyan (a.k.a. Kevin Bell), Michael Ray, Timothy Horton, Shawn McQuiller, and Curtis “Fitz” Williams.

The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta’s lineup of free concerts continues Monday with country music superstar, Jo Dee Messina. For more information, including a complete schedule of events, visit charlestonregatta.com.