One of the founding members of Kool and the Gang, George "Funky" Brown passed away on Friday from lung cancer at the age of 74. Brown co-wrote some of the bands biggest hits, including Ladies Night and, of course, Celebration.
The band never received any formal training and taught tthemselves how to play. Brown described their music as "The sound of happiness." Indeed, fifty years later and Celebration is still the unofficial party anthem of any happy occasion.