PWM'S HOT FOR KOOL

Primary Wave Music is joining Kool & the Gang drummer George Brown on the bridge of “Celebration,” singing, “It’s time to come together.”

PWM has acquired a stake in Brown’s music publishing catalog, writer’s share and writer’s share of public performance. A founding member of Kool & the Gang, he co-wrote their biggest hits. Brown and bassist Robert “Kool” Bell are the only two original members still performing with the band.

The multimillion-dollar deal encompasses “Hollywood Swinging,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Cherish,” “Ladies Night” and the stone-kold smash “Celebration.”

“Kool & the Gang’s influence on generations of musicians and fans around the globe cannot be denied,” said PW SVP, Business and Legal Affairs Samantha Rhulen. “A few of us from Primary Wave were excited to have been in the audience when they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018, and we are so thrilled to now be partnering with George Brown in 2023.”

“I'm very pleased to call Primary Wave my music partner and to join with dozens of other iconic artists and creatives in an incredible business family,” Brown said. “I look forward to collaborating with Larry Mestel and the entire Primary Wave team to further enhance my catalog and the Kool & the Gang brand.”

The PW team is researching whether “Jungle Boogie” qualifies for a world record for the most times “get down” is sung in a single song.