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Claydes Charles Smith, 57; Co-Founder of ‘70s Group Kool & the Gang

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From Times Staff and Wire Reports

Claydes Charles Smith, 57, a co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang, died Tuesday in Maplewood, N.J., after a long illness, publicist David Brokaw said. The cause of death was not announced.

Kool & the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960s to become a popular musical group of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B; and pop. After a downturn, the group enjoyed a return to success in the ‘80s.

Smith, who was known as Charles Smith, wrote the hits “Joanna” and “Take My Heart,” and was a co-writer of others, including “Celebration,” “Hollywood Swinging” and “Jungle Boogie.”

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Born Sept. 6, 1948, in Jersey City, N.J., Smith was introduced to jazz guitar by his father in the early 1960s. Later that decade he was in a group of New Jersey jazz musicians -- including Ronald Bell, Robert “Kool” Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas and Robert “Spike” Mickens -- who became Kool & the Gang. Other members would include lead singer James “J.T.” Taylor.

Illness forced Smith to stop touring with the group in January.

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