Posted on 12/22/2022 7:19:16 PM PST by nickcarraway
Thom Bell, the Jamaican-born producer, arranger, songwriter, and pillar of ’70s Philadelphia soul, has died. The news was confirmed by Philadelphia radio station WDAS-FM. Bell was best known for his work in the “Mighty Three” with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff; together, the trio created what became known as the “Sound Of Philadelphia.” He was 79.
Born in Jamaica in 1941, Bell moved to Philadelphia as a child. He studied classical music, and as a teen sang with Gamble, Huff, and Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates. His first major break in soul music was with Cameo Records, where he worked as a session player and arranger. In the mid-’60s, Bell was introduced to the Delfonics, and he produced two songs for them, “La-La (Means I Love You)” and “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” the second of which was nominated for a Grammy in 1970.
Bell also joined up with Gamble and Huff, who ran the record label Philadelphia International Records. The three men formed a music publishing company, Mighty Three Music, and Bell arranged for acts such as Jerry Butler, Archie Bell & The Drells, the O’Jays, and Dusty Springfield. Bell also joined Gamble and Huff’s production company.
In the ’70s, Bell produced for the Stylistics and teamed up with Philly’s own Linda Creed. Together, they became the area’s premier soul songwriting duo, writing hits such as “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart),” “You Are Everything,” “Betcha By Golly, Wow,” “Break Up To Make Up,” “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” and “I’m Stone In Love With You.”
By 1972, Bell produced former Motown band the Spinners for Atlantic Records; the collaboration was so successful, it lasted for seven years and eight albums. Bell produced hits like “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “Games People Play,” and “The Rubberband Man.” In 1974, Bell won the Grammy for Best Producer Of The Year.
In 1977, Bell recorded The Thom Bell Sessions with Elton John, though the EP was not released until 1979.
In the mid-’70s, Bell worked with Dionne Warwick (1974’s #1 “Then Came You,” a song Bell commissioned for Warwick and the Spinners), Johnny Mathis, Billy Paul, Ronnie Dyson, and Anthony & The Imperials. In the early ’80s, he produced Deniece Williams’ Top 10 remake of the Royalettes’ “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle.” In 1990, he produced James Ingram’s “I Don’t Have the Heart,” which became his second #1 pop hit. Other artists Bell produced in the ’80s included the Temptations, Phyllis Hyman, and Dee Dee Bridgwater.
More recently, in 2008 Bell announced he would compose a piece for the Philadelphia Orchestra, as past Orchestra members had played in MFSB, the house band featured on numerous Bell productions. Likewise, in 2017, Bell was honored by the Recording Academy at the Grammy Salute to Music Legends.
In February 2022, it was announced that the story of Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell would be chronicled in a new feature documentary, The Sound Of Philadelphia, directed by Sam Pollard.
“When I write, I make sure that my introductions grab you from the first note. I write to grab you; to give you my true feelings,” Bell told Consequence last year. “I don’t want to tell you a love story and only tell you part of a love story. I want to give a complete story. That’s how can always tell one of my arrangements.”
I guess Jamaicans count different...JPT?
Born in Jamaica in 1941…
How could he be 79?
(Born in Jamaica in 1941…
How could he be 79?)
Inflation!!
C’mon man!!
Back when great music was made. RIP.
When music was great.
I loved the songwriting and arrangements of the Stylistics.
“You Are Everything” is an incredible Stylistics song (written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed) and arranged by Thom Bell.
The sitar-sounding electric guitar intro is wonderful.
This guy had a real musical gift.
I urge everyone to listen again to this original Stylistics hit song.
Thanks.
Thanks for jogging my memory.
How many people were fans of Lou Rawls when the Capitol LP Black and Blue came out? One of my all time top favorites.
A brilliant album and only his second one.
I’ve been on a kick lately listening to more of the “Top 40” stuff from the late 60s/early 70s. Of course I’ve mostly listened to the “FM Rock” from that era, but I’ve really gained an appreciation again for the music I heard on the AM station back then.
Groups like “The Fifth Dimension”, “The Stylistics” and “Delfonics”, just wonderfully crafted songs.
Yep, Lou Rawls, was the man, so smooth.
Love this music!!
Absolute monster song writing talent.
I looked it up, it made it to #9 on the Hot 100.
Unfortunately these days, the Sound of Philadelphia is gunfire. 😕
The electric sitar was a very popular instrument in late 60’s early 70’s. Then it disappeared, until R.E.M. used it on a song called Gardening At Night on their early Chronic Town EP.
I was in a band at the time, and we recorded at the same studio (owned by producer Mitch Easter of Let’s Active), and made a point using that same electric sitar on a song!
Thanks for the memories.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.