Kool & The Gang in Memphis

Kool & The Gang are an American band formed in Jersey City in 1964 by Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell and friends. Their music spans jazz-funk, soul, disco and R&B, and the group is known for “Jungle Boogie,” “Ladies’ Night,” “Celebration,” “Get Down on It” and “Cherish.” In 1971, the album Live at P.J.’s documented their early jazz-funk repertoire at the Hollywood club. Decades later, Kool & The Gang performed on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury in 2011, then opened selected North American dates for Van Halen on the 2012 A Different Kind of Truth Tour.

Patti LaBelle is an American soul and R&B singer, born in Philadelphia in 1944. She first became known as the lead singer of Labelle, whose recording of “Lady Marmalade” became the group’s signature song. Her solo catalogue includes “If Only You Knew,” “New Attitude” and “On My Own,” a duet with Michael McDonald. In 1974, Labelle performed at the Metropolitan Opera House during the period surrounding the release of the album Nightbirds. Patti LaBelle later sang at Live Aid in 1985 at John F. Kennedy Stadium, then appeared in the 1998 television concert VH1 Divas Live at the Beacon Theatre.