Part of the Gang

Young Chang

Joe Di Thomas once ate barbecue chicken and coleslaw with members of

Kool and the Gang at the Orange County Fair. It was nighttime, after the

band had performed, in the picnic area behind the stage.

Di Thomas’ diligent attendance to 675 of the band’s concerts has

earned him such schmoozing rights -- along with a permanent all-access

backstage pass granted him in 1998 and frequent conversations with the

four main members about how life is going.

And after every meeting, the Newport Beach resident says, “See you at

the next show!”

This weekend’s Kool and the Gang performance at a Taste of Newport

will be Di Thomas’ 676th.

He has a photo album detailing all his adventures with the group,

which span across 45 states and two countries.

His first show was in 1979, in his hometown, Pittsburgh, Pa. For his

500th show, he’s wearing a yellow blazer, a white hat and there’s a cigar

in his ear. His concert-going get-up is always a colorful blazer and a

hat. His accessory is always the cigar.

Di Thomas sees the Gang about every six months and loves the group --

best known for the song “Celebration” -- mostly for their lyrics.

“[The words] helped me stay in school, it let me know I could do

anything I wanted,” said Di Thomas, a service consultant for McKenna

Volkswagon/Isuzu in Huntington Beach.

One song in particular, the early 1980’s hit “Take it to the Top,”

especially encouraged him. But nothing is as uplifting as meeting the

group in person.

“They’re the nicest guys you could ever meet,” Di Thomas said. “Others

might snub you and be short with you, but these guys, they give their

time to anyone who wants to talk with them.”

Co-worker John Hoffman calls Di Thomas “a little encyclopedia of Kool

and the Gang.”

He is used to hearing Di Thomas talk about the band every day -- about

where they’ll be performing next and how he’ll get there. Recently the

fan ordered a new leather jacket to wear to the shows. Hoffman, an

assistant manager at McKenna, heard all about it.

“[Di Thomas] plans his whole calendar around Kool and the Gang,” he

said.

Over the years, Robert ‘Kool’ Bell, Robert ‘Spike’ Mickens, Robert

‘The Captain’ Bell and Dennis ‘D.T.’ Thomas have grown accustomed to Di

Thomas’ presence at their concerts.

In the beginning, the fan lied his way backstage, convincing security

he was part of the show. Now he has his all-access pass and sits

regularly with the group in their dressing rooms after shows.

Di Thomas, who is nicknamed ‘Hooker,’ for his prominent nose,

sometimes “drags” his wife to the shows too. He said the Gang is always

friendly to any guest he brings along.

He returns the loyal gestures by, at times, prioritizing the group

above even his job.

Some years ago, Di Thomas took two days off from work to catch the

Gang performing. He knew he’d probably get fired but took the risk

anyway. He saw a great show, lost his job and walked away from the

experience unfazed.

“I knew I could get another job because I’m good at what I do,” he

said.

Today he is grateful to have gracious employers and co-workers at

McKenna. They, including Hoffman, understand his loyalty to the Gang and

give him the personal days he needs.

“But I’d take them off anyway,” Di Thomas quipped.

FYI

WHAT: Kool and the Gang

WHERE: Taste of Newport, Fashion Island, 905 Newport Center Drive,

Newport Beach

WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Saturday

COST: $12 general admission, which includes entertainment. Children

under 12 admitted free Saturday and Sunday.

CALL: (949) 729-4400.