Kool & The Gang, one of the most talented funk, soul and R&B bands of all time, lost a member of the group on Monday (Jan. 12). Clifford Adams, the group’s trombonist, succumbed to liver cancer after battling the condition for a year. Adams was 62.
News of Adams’ passing came by way of a report by NJ.com that was picked up by Billboard. Adams, a native of Trenton, N.J., reportedly did not have medical insurance and the band tried to raise funds to secure the musician a liver transplant as recently as last month.
NJ.com has more:
Adams, 62, is best known for playing with Kool and the Gang but he also played with The Stylistics, Patti Labelle and the Bluebells and Duke Ellington’s Orchestra during his career. Adams released two solo albums – The Master Power and I Feel Your Spirit.
Adams’ longtime friend and fellow Kool and the Gang musician Michael Ray described Adams as a loving and caring husband and father and a great friend.
“If you knew Cliff you knew his infectious smile and his strong spirit,” said Ray. “He was powered by family values and he was one of the baddest trombone players in all the planet.”
The loss of Adams has not only rocked fans of Kool & The Gang, but also those who encountered him away from the stage. Spoken word poet Todd Evans has collaborated with Adams, and is organizing a fundraiser to help the family with medical expenses.
Information regarding the fundraiser can be found at Jazz Bridge.
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Photo: CliffordAdams.com
