found: New York times, June 23, 2006 (Claydes C. Smith, 57, jazz guitarist; d. June 20, 2006, Maplewood, N.J.; founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool and the Gang; b. Charles Smith Sept. 6, 1948, Jersey City; the group grew from jazz roots in the 1960's, after a downturn the group returned in the 80's; other members: Ronald Bell (later Khalis Bayyan), Robert Bell, known as Kool, George Brown, Dennis Thomas, and Robert Mickens, called Spike; other members would include the lead Singer James (J.T.) Taylor)
Kool & the Gang
