We recently learned of the heartbreaking news of the passing of Ronald Bell. We would like to dedicate this blog post in his memory.
ROBERT “KOOL” BELL
Robert “Kool” Bell is one of the founding members of the legendary Pop/R&B group Kool & the Gang, the seven-time Grammy award-winners who also earned many American Music Awards. A multi-platinum-selling group and the most sampled band of all time, Kool & the Gang has sold over 80 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of generations with 25 Top Ten R&B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums.
Robert was also raised right here in Jersey City in the Bergen Lafayette neighborhood. He is currently in Orlando and we had the pleasure of interviewing him via Zoom! I’ve been a huge fan of Kool & The Gang for as far as I can remember, and it was such an honor for me to be able to catch up with a legend. This was a highlight for me! Check it out!
Kool is a US ambassador of music and the arts for many countries, including being a music ambassador of tourism to the Ivory Coast of Africa, is also a successful entrepreneur involved with a number of ventures and developments around the world. Based on his world renown and humanitarian interest, in January 2015 REACH (Renewable Energy Applications to Conserve Humanity) appointed Kool as its Global Ambassador for Sustainable Energy. REACH is a center within the Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, which works to make clean energy available globally.
Recently, Kool has combined his celebrity status with his 50+ years of international business experience to create many ventures such as the Just Kool Enterprise, the London Gate artist management company and the Collaborative Marketing Agency. In addition, he launched Le Kool Champagne with the France- based vineyard leader Paul Berthelot as well as Durisan Hand Sanitizer, an alcohol-free product that guarantees up to 24 protection from germs and bacteria (whereas other sanitizers only last fifteen seconds).
In memory of Kool’s late wife, Sakinah Bell, a number of businesses are under development to honor his departed bride, including Fashions By Sakinah, Ladies Night Cosmetics, Dream Starz, Kool Kids Foundation and more. Lady Kool’s legacy will live on through her spirit.