Jerome Smith

• Born: June 18, 1953, Miami, FL
• Genres: Rhythm & Blues
• Instrument: Guitar

Biography

Guitarist Jerome Smith was one of the founding members of KC and the Sunshine Band, which included leader Harry Wayne "KC" Casey, bassist Richard Finch, drummer Robert Johnson, and percussionist Fermin Goytisolo. The Miami, FL, native was with the group when they recorded their five number one pop songs -- "Get Down Tonight," "That's the Way I Like It," "(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty," "I'm Your Boogie Man," "Please Don't Go" -- and five Grammy awards. He left the group in 1979 because of substance abuse problems. Finding sobriety, Smith was working toward rejoining the band, when at the age of 47 he was killed in a construction accident on August 4, 2000, in West Palm Beach, FL. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide