The Sunday Mail
Society Reporter
American Grammy award-winning artiste Robert “Kool” Bell, who founded the band Kool & the Gang together with his brother Ronald in 1964, is expected in Zimbabwe next week for a week-long business and holiday odyssey.
Ronald unfortunately died in September last year.
Kool & the Gang enjoyed critical acclaim for its soul and funk music, with hits like “Celebration” and “Ladies Night”.
Their infectious music was so popular that it was featured in several films, including “Saturday Night Fever”, for which they won a Grammy in 1978.
Robert is expected to jet into the country on May 10.
The decorated singer and songwriter’s packed itinerary will begin the following day with a tour of Harare.
While in the capital, Kool will visit some of the tourist attractions the Sunshine City has to offer.
He is also expected to tour the Pepsi plant, various agriculture projects and meet several business leaders, among them FastJet officials.
His tour includes prospective sites for his proposed “Children of Africa” concert – the Rainbow Towers and Margolis Resort in Harare.
Outside Harare, Kool will get an opportunity to sample the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
It is believed that Robert will also discuss the creation of Celebration City Housing Complex in the resort town, which will be marketed to the rich black athletic and entertainment community in the United States. The proposed complex is envisaged to include “the greatest memorial African Excellence Park” featuring a 30-foot bronze sculpture of world boxing legend Muhammed Ali.
Facilitators of the visit, Diamond Studios Zimbabwe in conjunction with long-term Pan-African activist Gregory C. Turner, are ready to host the global icon.
“Kool has a long-standing track record of extending his successful entertainment experience to his motherland, Africa,” said Turner, who is the singer’s 30-year friend and business associate.
Local artistes will benefit from the visit, as they will get a chance to exchange notes during “Diamond Day” — a tour of the Steady Munyanyi-owned Diamond Studios.
“He will assist Diamond Studios founder, Munyanyi, and their partnership will develop and expose young, aspiring music talents in Southern Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular,” added Turner.
Kool has extensively performed in African countries such as Liberia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique and Gabon.
“Kool’s visit will be followed by many other high-profile and successful African American entertainers and athletes to enjoy life and business in their motherland.
“ . . . invitations will be extended to multi-billionaire music and fashion muso Kanye West, wordsmith Chance the Rapper and Hip Hop mogul Sean “Puffy” Combs.
“We welcome him here! Most of all, his visit represents the return of the African American Diaspora to contribute towards Africa’s renaissance.”
Besides music, Kool also serves as co-founder of Kool Baker Energy, the largest African American solar energy provider in the United States.
