Ronald Bell, one of the founding members of 1970s and 1980s pop group Kool & the Gang, has died at age 68.
Bell died at his home in the US Virgin Islands with his wife by his side,.
The cause of death was not given.
He started the band with his brother Robert "Kool" Bell in 1964.
They became one of the era's most popular and influential soul and funk bands, with hits including Celebration, Ladies' Night and Get Down On It.
Their music also featured in several films including Pulp Fiction and Saturday Night Fever, for which they received a Grammy in 1978.