Ronald Bell, one of the founder members of 1970s and 1980s pop group Kool & the Gang, has died at the age of 68.

Kool and the Gang had a collection of hits throughout the 1970s and ’80s which include “Jungle Boogie,” “Ladies’ Night,” and “Celebration,” which became the band’s only number one hit in 1980. Ronald Bell was the musical director for Kool and the Gang and he co-wrote most of the band’s biggest hits, including “Celebration.”

Bell composed, arranged, produced and performed some of the most popular music. He was a self-taught musician, and his distinctive sound is on the group’s horn lines, bass, synthesizer and vocals. He wrote and produced many of the band’s songs including “Celebration”, “Cherish”, “Jungle Boogie”, “Summer Madness”, and “Open Sesame”. He said his favorite song was “Celebration”.

Bell died at his home in the US Virgin Islands with his wife by his side, his publicist said. The cause of death was not given.