[ad_1]
Thom Bell, the Jamaican-born producer, arranger, songwriter, and pillar of ’70s Philadelphia soul, has died. The information was confirmed by Philadelphia radio station WDAS-FM. Bell was finest recognized for his work within the “Mighty Three” with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff; collectively, the trio created what turned referred to as the “Sound Of Philadelphia.” He was 79.
Born in Jamaica in 1941, Bell moved to Philadelphia as a toddler. He studied classical music, and as a teen sang with Gamble, Huff, and Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates. His first main break in soul music was with Cameo Records, the place he labored as a session participant and arranger. In the mid-’60s, Bell was launched 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 additionally joined up with Gamble and Huff, who ran the file label Philadelphia International Records. The three males fashioned a music publishing firm, Mighty Three Music, and Bell organized for acts akin to Jerry Butler, Archie Bell & The Drells, the O’Jays, and Dusty Springfield. Bell additionally joined Gamble and Huff’s manufacturing firm.
In the ’70s, Bell produced for the Stylistics and teamed up with Philly’s personal Linda Creed. Together, they turned the realm’s premier soul songwriting duo, writing hits akin to “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 profitable, 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 received the Grammy for Best Producer Of The Year.
[ad_2]