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ROBERT MICKENS Obituary

ROBERT MICKENS JERSEY CITY Robert "Spike" Mickens, 59, passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, in a nursing home in Far Rockaway, NY after a long illness. Spike, as he was affectionately known as, was a founding member of the R&B group, Kool & the Gang, which was formed in Jersey City NJ in 1964. Spike is the devoted son of the late Victor and Roberta Mickens and the brother of the late Victor A. Mickens, Jr. He is survived by his sisters Sylvia A. Mickens and Marsha Mickens-Hankerson. He leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends, and fans, worldwide, who will forever remember the man and the great music he created for all to enjoy. Spike, we love you.

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Published by The Jersey Journal on Nov. 20, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT MICKENS

Sponsored by Stanley "Spike jr" Richardson .

Not sure what to say?





ANTHONY ACE RODRIGUEZ

January 21, 2025

Robert Spike Mickens

anonymous

January 18, 2025

Rock and Roll inductees on 10/19/24. you missed but is well deserved. Kool and The Gang Rocks

toball

December 24, 2024

the vibe still rolls on even though he's since moved on; much love for the spirit in the music shared George. I learned to play bass by ear from funky stuff -
i've been HOOKED on kool & the gang since.
the only group that survived "solo fever" that a lot of wonderful bands went thru. these guy were cut from an entirely
different piece of cloth.
forever a fan!!!!!!!!

Vickie Sanchez

December 14, 2024

Recordando tu partida

Vickie Sanchez

December 14, 2024

Te recorde el dia de tu partida, pero por alguna razón no pude expresar mi comentario, hoy 14 de Diciembre de 2024, lo hago y nunca es tarde para hacerlo, sigue descansando "Spike" eternamente.

Spike" Richardson

November 14, 2024

To this day I remember us practicing together, he was always ready to help me play better...

Roland A. Smalls

September 13, 2024

Rest in peace: Robert Spike Mickens. Beloved co-founder of Kool & The Gang, fame. Your music has been a therapeutic part of my life for over 70 years. I didn't know that you was ill for a longtime before you passed. Rest well brother Spike. From a diehard original Philly area Kool & The Gang, patron!

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

January 6, 2024

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

January 6, 2024

Shawn Hernandez

January 5, 2024

Oh I loved to see him preform.
I loved his dancing and overall
Spirit. I watch Ladies Night Video just to see him. He always had a good time. I´m sad to know he has passed away

Reggie Robertson

November 4, 2023

I played Trumpet with the EMOTIONS and I met Spike at that time.

Vickie Sánchez

November 3, 2023

Un año más de tu partida, sigue descansando en paz

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

November 3, 2023

CONTINUE TO REST IN PEACE SPIKE MICKENS

Reginald robertson

April 6, 2023

I had no idea that Spike passed. I played on the same stage as he. R.I.P

Stanley "Spike Jr" Richardson

December 8, 2022

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

November 10, 2022

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

November 10, 2022

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

November 10, 2022

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

November 10, 2022

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

November 10, 2022

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

November 10, 2022

As a long time fan, we all miss Spike Mickens. The original trumpet player of K&TG.
Continue to rest in peace

Vickie Sánchez

November 2, 2022

12 años de tu partida y recordándote aún, el mejor trompetista de todos los tiempos, te recuerdo con cariño.

[email protected]

August 1, 2022

Used to see you walking down my block of Grant Avenue, Jersey City, and got a chance to tell you that when you walked down my block with your horn case in your hand and that Kool guy BOP walk ,the temp dropped 10 degrees. And you smiled. May my day, and I was a little boy! RIP Kool Guy

Vickie Sánchez

November 2, 2021

Hoy se cumplen 11 años de tu partida y no dejo de recordarte, siempre estarás en mi mente y mi corazón.

Terry Rucks

May 1, 2021

Terry Rucks

May 1, 2021

Terry Rucks

May 1, 2021

Terry Rucks

May 1, 2021

Terry Rucks

May 1, 2021

Terry Rucks

May 1, 2021

Terry Rucks

May 1, 2021

Terry Rucks

May 1, 2021

Terry Rucks

May 1, 2021

In loving memory to one my favorite musicians! I wish I can see more interviews and artifacts to recognize your presence you left on earth. May God rest your soul and peace your family eternally. You will always be Spike!
August 1951-November 2010

Yolanda Cunningham

April 3, 2021

We were children accompanying your Dad, Mr. Victorand his wife Mrs Bernice Mickens to your New Jersey rehearsals and sound checks (we [ Kools kids and other kids of musicians] just wanted to go bn outside and play tag) and not listen to the 15 th recording of #Jungle BoogieFreshHollywoodSwingCelebration,etc. Little did we realize that you were providing the soundtrack to our lives.You were such a great big brother to Cheryl(Parham) and cousin to Nile(Rogers). You were always so patient with us children while visiting your parents after you'd been up all night performing.

Rory Draft

January 29, 2021

Lorraine Gross Draft (My Stepmother) use to all ways tell me about Robert Mickens, playing with Kool and the Gang. I Wish I could have had the chance to meet him

Gary Smith

January 12, 2021

Seeing you play was part of my inspiration to play in the WEAVER HIGH SCHOOL BAND .TO PLAY MUSIC IS TRULY SPECIAL , And help INSPIRE OTHERS TO PLAY MUSIC IS EXCEPTIONAL. KATG FOREVER. GARY SMITH. HARTFORD,CT.

Mrs. Linda Hart

November 3, 2020

May you R.I.P.
Condolences to the Family

Anthony Ace Rodriguez

November 3, 2020

Continue to Rest In Eternal Peace!
We Love and miss you!

Vickie Sánchez

November 2, 2020

Hoy a 10 años de tu partida, te recuerdo con cariño, no dejo de decir que los mejores años de Kool & the Gang fueron cuando estaban los miembros originales como tú, el mejor trompetista de todos los tiempos.

September 12, 2020

Spike, was1of my inspiration trumpet players on my down line of trumpet players

Eugene Golbourne

September 12, 2020

Rest in Peace Spike

Carl Williamson

September 11, 2020

A great man that motivated me to practice and practice. He was the music of my childhood.

Vickie Sánchez

May 31, 2020

Siempre contigo "Spike"...Always with you
"Spike"

Bisi

March 17, 2020

I just loved seeing you play the trumpet with KATG. Thank you for your contribution to the group. Rest in peace!

Still missing you brother Spike Mickens. Thanks for the many memories performing with, "The Gang"!

Anthony (Ace) Rodriguez

November 14, 2019

Still Missing You Brother Spike Mickens. Thanks for the memories performing the, "The Gang"!

Anthony (Ace) Rodriguez

November 14, 2019

Vickie

August 1, 2019

A casi 9 años de su partida aún sigo escuchando la música de kool & the gang, "Spike" fuiste y seguirás siendo único tocando la trompeta QEPD

July 24, 2013

July 24, 2013

Music Is The Message - 1972

July 24, 2013

From the Light Of Worlds album - 1974

July 24, 2013

Spike on Soul Train.

July 24, 2013

SPIKE

July 24, 2013

Marvin Miller

August 18, 2011

I've been a Kool & The Gang fan since about 1969. I was a young sax palyer so that may be the reason why I became hip to them at an early age. I've got many, many good memories of partying to their music as well as actually playing it at gigs. My biggest and best memory of all, though, is actually meeting Spike Mickens and chatting with him for a while. I met him at The Soul Embassy funk club in Roppongi, Tokyo. It must've been sometime in the mid 80's. Spike seemed amused when I told him that as a sax player, I had grown up playing their music. He seemed especially tickled when I told him that we used to slow the albums down to 16 in order to hear and learn better exactly what notes they were playing. That conversation has never been forgotten by me. May Spike Mickens forever Rest in Peace.

Respectfully,

- Marvin J. Miller

Victor Young

June 16, 2011

I have been a Kool and the Gang fan since Sunday, December 15, 1974, when I first heard "Street Corner Symphony". Even though Spike left the group in the late 80's due to illness, I had always hoped he would return. So now he follows members Woody Sparrow, Ricky West, and Claydes Smith into the Here After where he will still blow his horn.

Natasha Prince-Green

June 15, 2011

Our condolences to the entire family..The music industry has suffered a great loss with his passing--they don't make them like him anymore..His music has inspired many and he will live on through the music.Our prayers are with you all.
God Bless,
Darian and Natasha Green

Spike Richardson

May 19, 2011

I'm from Jersey City, NJ but now live in West Germany , Spike was my mentor and friend who I always looked up to . My nick name is also Spike to Honor him. I will always just like the rest of the World Remember him. God Bless to the Family.

Herman Watkins

April 8, 2011

I'm from Jersey City,NJ where in 1964 Kool and the Gang became the pride of our hometown.I'll always remember talking with spike whenever we'd see each other in Curries Woods,Jackson Ave or N.Y.C.Thank you for the Music you gave the world. May God Bless & Rest your Soul.Peace & Blessings to the family.

Anthony Lloyd

February 23, 2011

As a longtime Kool& the gang fan I was sadden to hear of Robert (spike ) mickens passing.He was a great trumpet player.My prayers go out to his family.

John Pettiford

February 18, 2011

Prayers to Spikes' Family. He was a very talented and interesting guy.

Rick Benton

January 26, 2011

Gabriel now has some competition.. May God give the family peace..Thanks Spike for the music and for inspiring me to be the best trumpet player I could be

andrew mccoy

January 20, 2011

My Heart Goes out to the family,i ues to see spike in harlem back in the 90's always spoke to me...R.I.P.

Anthony Rodriguez

November 29, 2010

I was shock to find out earlier this year that Brother Spike passed away. I am a long time Kool & The Gang fan since 1969 and I am sadden by his passing away.
The songs wriitten by Spike, "Summer Madness" has alway been my favorite since 1974, actually my girlfriend uses it as a ringtone for when i call her.
Robert "Spike" Mickens, The Mickens family, Kool & The Gang, I send you my love..... +RIP Spike+

Anthony "Ace" Rodriguez
Brooklyn, NY

Terry thomas

November 24, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

tracey thomas

November 24, 2010

I was so sorry to here about "Spike" Passing. You will be in our prayers & may God give you strength to stay strong
This is Tracey Thomas, from lafayette Garden. I was just talking about Spike last Wednesday to one of the Kool's gang members sister I was shocking that we live in such of a small world. I remember how we used to dance out side while they are playing the music. The horn now plays another tune(heavenly)

Tracey Thomas

November 24, 2010

Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

Tracey Thomas

November 24, 2010

I just learn about Spike passing.I was so sorry, to hear.about him. I was just tqlking about him the other day. I remember the good times listening to them playing while we dance out side the window.
Sylvia & Marsha, God will see you through this.
This is Tracey Thomas, from Lafayette Gardens
who used to baby sit for Marsha and lived on the 3rd floor . I pray that. God give you the strength to get through this. God Bless

joyce smith-willis

November 22, 2010

Sorry for your loss, I am the sister of the late Charles Smith (claydes Smith) I know what your going through. But I had some fun with Spike in the 60's and 70's he was one COOL! Guy and talented I mean he was a mircle ,I rememmber him playing two horn's together, WOW! Well there together playing for the Lord My brother on guitar and Spike on Horn . If There is anything i can do for you and the family let me know contact me Joyce Smith-Willis 201-725-1087.

Sincerely
Joyce

WOODY WOODWARD

November 21, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

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