Claydes Charles Smith, a co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang, has died. He was 57.

Smith died in Maplewood, N.J., on Tuesday after a long illness, publicist David Brokaw said Thursday. Brokaw did not know the cause of death.

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Smith, who was known as Charles Smith, wrote the hits “Joanna” and “Take My Heart,” and was a co-writer of others, including “Celebration,”"Hollywood Swinging” and “Jungle Boogie.”

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Illness forced Smith to stop touring with the group in January.

Smith is survived by his six children, Claydes A. Smith, Justin Smith, Aaron Corbin, August Williams, Uranus Guray and Tyteen Humes, and nine grandchildren.

Rest In Peace, Claydes.

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