Thom Bell, the legendary Jamaican-born Philadelphian producer, arranger and songwriter that helped pioneer the Philly soul sound within the Seventies, has died on the age of 79. His explanation for dying has not been disclosed.
All through the late ’60s and early ’70s, Bell wrote and produced plenty of hits, significantly with the Delfonics, the Stylistics and the Spinners. A few of his most well-known works embrace the Delfonics’ ‘La-La Means I Love You’, the Stylistics’ ‘Cease, Look, Hear (To Your Coronary heart)’ and ‘You Are All the pieces’, the Spinners’ ‘Rubberband Man’ and ‘Mama Can’t Purchase 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”. Collectively, the trio based Philadelphia Worldwide Information in 1971.
As Rolling Stone experiences, each of Bell’s longtime collaborators paid tribute to him in a press assertion. “Tommy and I’ve been finest pals for over 60 years,” Gamble stated. “Leon Huff and I have been proud to have him as a part of our Mighty Three music writing staff, which helped create our signature model of TSOP. He was an amazing expertise and my pricey buddy. The title of Gamble Huff and Bell will final eternally. Relaxation in peace buddy!”
In his personal assertion, Huff added: “Thom Bell was my favourite musician, arranger, songwriter, and music producer of all time. It was my esteemed honor and pleasure to work with him creatively and as a enterprise associate. Relaxation in peace.”
Bell was born in Jamaica in 1943, however moved to Philadelphia together with his household as a toddler. He performed drums and studied classical piano as a toddler, and carried out alongside Gamble of their band the Romeos in his teen years. His first huge break got here when he started working as a session participant and arranger for Cameo Information.
After working with the Delfonics within the late ’60s – together with writing and producing the Grammy-winning ‘Didn’t I (Blow Your Thoughts 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 ‘Cease, Look, Hear (To Your Coronary heart)’, ‘You Are All the pieces’, ‘Individuals Make The World Go Spherical’, ‘Betcha By Golly, Wow’, ‘I’m Stone In Love With You’ and others.
He additionally helped revitalise the Spinners following their transfer to Atlantic Information, producing 5 gold information for the group. Hits included ‘I’ll Be Round’, ‘May It Be I’m Falling In Love’, ‘Video games Individuals Play’ and ‘Rubberband Man’.
Bell’s different notable works included producing Dionne Warwick‘s 1975 album ‘Monitor Of The Cat’, collaborating with Deniece Williams within the early Eighties, and dealing with Elton John on the 1979-released ‘The Thom Bell Periods’ EP. That EP featured each ‘Mama Can’t Purchase You Love’ and the Spinners-backed ‘Are You Prepared For Love’.
Amongst Bell’s accolades, he gained Producer of the Yr 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 Corridor of Fame.