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Thom Bell, the legendary Jamaican-born Philadelphian producer, arranger and songwriter that helped pioneer the Philly soul sound within the Nineteen Seventies, has died on the age of 79. His explanation for dying has not been disclosed.
Throughout the late ’60s and early ’70s, Bell wrote and produced numerous hits, notably with the Delfonics, the Stylistics and the Spinners. Some of his most well-known works embody the Delfonics’ ‘La-La Means I Love You’, the Stylistics’ ‘Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)’ and ‘You Are Everything’, the Spinners’ ‘Rubberband Man’ and ‘Mama Can’t Buy You Love’ by Elton John.
Alongside Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff because the Mighty Three, Bell is credited with co-creating “The Sound of Philadelphia”. Together, the trio based Philadelphia International Records in 1971.
As Rolling Stone reviews, each of Bell’s longtime collaborators paid tribute to him in a press assertion. “Tommy and I have been best friends for over 60 years,” Gamble mentioned. “Leon Huff and I were proud to have him as part of our Mighty Three music writing team, which helped create our signature brand of TSOP. He was a great talent and my dear friend. The name of Gamble Huff and Bell will last forever. Rest in peace buddy!”
In his personal assertion, Huff added: “Thom Bell was my favorite musician, arranger, songwriter, and music producer of all time. It was my esteemed honor and pleasure to work with him creatively and as a business partner. Rest in peace.”
Bell was born in Jamaica in 1943, however moved to Philadelphia along with his household as a baby. He performed drums and studied classical piano as a baby, and carried out alongside Gamble of their band the Romeos in his teen years. His first large break got here when he started working as a session participant and arranger for Cameo Records.
After working with the Delfonics within the late ’60s – together with writing and producing the Grammy-winning ‘Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)’ – the early ’70s noticed him teaming up with songwriter Linda Creed. Bell and Creed wrote and produced a number of hits for the Stylistics, together with ‘Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)’, ‘You Are Everything’, ‘People Make The World Go Round’, ‘Betcha By Golly, Wow’, ‘I’m Stone In Love With You’ and others.
He additionally helped revitalise the Spinners following their transfer to Atlantic Records, producing 5 gold information for the group. Hits included ‘I’ll Be Around’, ‘Could It Be I’m Falling In Love’, ‘Games People Play’ and ‘Rubberband Man’.
Bell’s different notable works included producing Dionne Warwick‘s 1975 album ‘Track Of The Cat’, collaborating with Deniece Williams within the early Nineteen Eighties, and dealing with Elton John on the 1979-released ‘The Thom Bell Sessions’ EP. That EP featured each ‘Mama Can’t Buy You Love’ and the Spinners-backed ‘Are You Ready For Love’.
Among Bell’s accolades, he gained Producer of the Year on the Grammy Awards in 1975, and in 2017, was honoured by the Recording Academy on the Grammy Salute to Music Legends. In 2006, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.