Kool & the Gang leader recalls Ali's visit to dad's Youngstown fundraiser

YOUNGSTOWN

Robert “Kool” Bell, leader of R&B-funk band Kool & the Gang and a Youngstown native, remembers when Muhammad Ali came to his hometown in October 1972 for a fundraiser for his father.

Bell is the son of the late Bobby Bell, who was a top-ranked boxer before he was stricken with multiple sclerosis and had to use a wheelchair. Bobby Bell was 43 at the time of Ali’s visit, and the fundraiser also was designed to honor him and show they had not forgotten his contributions to boxing.

“Muhammad Ali was a great person,” Bell said in a phone interview from Honolulu, where his band performed Tuesday night.

“"... it was great for him to come out to Youngstown. We were very thankful.”

The champ was joined by other boxing greats from across the country at the Youngstown event.

Read the complete story in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.