It’s almost a sure bet that there’s a wedding in every state in the country right at this moment playing Kool & The Gang as part of the reception. The band’s discography is synonymous with a party atmosphere, and they bring that party to Westgate Las Vegas this week.
Few hit singles have had the widespread influence of “Celebration,” the band’s No. 1 hit from 1980 that is still in heavy use today, not only at weddings but during sporting events and political rallies. If that were the only single that Kool & The Gang had released, it would probably be enough to guarantee their place in popular culture, but the group has pumped out so many other classics to keep the party going all night long. “Jungle Boogie” was famously used in Pulp Fiction, while “Boogie Shoes” was featured in Saturday Night Fever.
The New Jersey-based band has undergone multiple personnel changes since forming in 1964, but founding members Robert “Kool” Bell and George “Funky” Brown, pictured, are still front and center, now joined by Michael Ray, Curtis “Fitz” Williams, Shawn McQuiller and Timothy Horton. Expect plenty of dancing during this show when they string together grooves like “Get Down On It,” “Ladies Night,” “Too Hot” and “Let’s Groove.”
It should also be noted that Kool and company are close to celebrating their 60th anniversary (Gee, wonder what song will be playing when that happens?).
Westgate Las Vegas, 8 p.m. May 5-6, starting at $29 plus tax and fee. ticketmaster.com
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