Youngstown Native Adil Bayyan, Manager of Kool and the Gang, Dies in Car Crash

NEWARK, Delaware – Adil Bayyan, who was the co-manager of renowned R&B-funk band Kool and the Gang, died Saturday in a traffic accident in Delaware.

Bayyan, who was previously known as Frank Jackson, grew up in Youngstown and graduated from East High School. Early in his career he played bass and drums in a band with Robert “Kool” Bell, who was also born in Youngstown and spent part of his childhood in the city. Bell founded Kool and the Gang after moving to New Jersey with his family as a youth.

Bayyan was a generous and well-respected member of the music community who never forgot his roots, said Deborah Benton, a longtime friend and host of a Youngstown arts and music television show.

“When we were teenagers, we lived in the Victory Estates projects [on the East Side] and we were all into music,” said Benton. “I sang in a band with him.”

Bayyan would go on to become road manager for Kool and the Gang, and later a co-manager of the act. He moved to Delaware about seven years ago.

“He was my go-to person when I had industry questions,” Benton said, adding he always went above what was expected to help her in any way he can, whether with information or with financial help to help Youngstown youth.

“He was always willing to help someone from home,” Benton said.

A funeral prayer service will take place Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 12:50 p.m. at the Islamic Society of
Delaware Masjid Ibrahim in Newark, Del.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.