Kaaboo Del Mar 2018 kicked off with a special VIP preview night on Thursday, Sept. 13, featuring Kool and the Gang.
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Thursday night’s event was a special engagement -- open to VIP ticket-holders only. It precedes the annual festival that takes place this year on Sept. 14-16.
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Classic soul/funk/disco/pop band Kool & the Gang were the night's blockbuster headliners -- and they put on a great show!
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And the fans agreed!
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It was also a chance to check out some of the incredible artwork around the festival grounds before the massive crowds. (Artist Monty Montgomery pictured)
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Prior Kaaboo preview nights have featured performers like Macy Gray, Barenaked Ladies, the Dan Band and Chris Isaak. It's a bonus for patrons who purchase Ultimate Hang, Hang Ten and 3-day Hang Five passes.
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Kool & the Gang is known for hit singles including "Ladies' Night," the No. 1 smash "Celebration," "Get Down on It," "Joanna," and "Cherish."
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Artist Jason Humphreys shown with some of his work. Simply amazing!
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Kool & the Gang have won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and, in 2006, a Music Business Association Chairman's Award for Artistic Achievement.
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The group's discography includes 23 studio albums and almost 70 singles. They have sold 7.5 million and 4.5 million RIAA-certified albums and singles, respectively, in the U.S. to-date.
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Artist Optimus Volts pictured with his exhibit. Hold that Biggie piece for us, dude!
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Kool & the Gang formed in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964 by brothers Robert "Kool" Bell and Ronald Bell. The band has gone through extensive lineup changes over the last 50 years. (Vocalist Walt Anderson pictured)
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Kool & the Gang long-time vocalist/guitarist Shawn McQuiller pictured.
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Just one example of some of the fine art you'll see around the festival grounds. (Hand-painted canvas by Lauren YS).
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The group's music has been heavily featured in films over the years. Their hit "Jungle Boogie," for example, was featured on the soundtracks for the movies "Pulp Fiction" and "Undercover Brother." Their song "Summer Madness" was in the movie "Rocky"!
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Kool & the Gang drummer Tim Horton pictured.
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Legendary trumpeter Michael Ray pictured.
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Artist Dodge Williams pictured with his Kaaboo exhibit.
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The band has extensively sampled by the hip-hop community over the years: "Summer Madness" was used by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince for their 1991 single "Summertime." "N.T." has been sampled by Boogie Down Productions, Brand Nubian, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, N.W.A, Kris Kross, Jermaine Dupri, and Snoop Dogg. "Hollywood Swinging" has been sampled by DJ Kool, Mase, Too Short and by the Rubberbandits on their song "Bag of Glue."
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Alex Matthews
Fun fact: In 2012, the band accepted Van Halen singer David Lee Roth's invitation for Kool & the Gang to be the opening act during their "A Different Kind of Truth Tour," as Roth was obsessed with after seeing their set at Glastonbury.
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Kool & the Gang in action!
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Alex Matthews
This'll really tie the room together. Amazing! (Art by Handiedan)
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Kool & the Gang's long-time guitarist Amir Bayyan.
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NBC Bay Area
What a great way to kick off Kaaboo Del Mar 2018! Stay tuned to SoundDiego.com for photo galleries of the rest of this weekend's performers!
