Mention New Jersey to anyone in the music business these days, and the name Bruce Springsteen comes to mind almost automatically. But Springsteen and his E Street Band aren’t the only world-class acts to originate in Jersey—and still call the state home. Some 40 miles north of Springsteen’s base, Asbury Park—Exit 14 on the New Jersey Turnpike, to be more exact—is Jersey City. That’s Kool & The Gang territory. And just in case you’re not aware of them, the Gang’s accomplishments in pop music are indeed as impressive as Springsteen’s. Consider the facts: Kool & The Gang has placed more hit singles (ten) in the Top 40 than any other band of the 1980s. The group has a string of five gold albums in a row, three of which are also platinum. Like Springsteen, Kool and company are very active in charitable causes. Kool and members of the band were […]

September 1985 Issue