Thom Bell – a Grammy-winning producer, songwriter – passed away at 79
The music world is in mourning just before Christmas, with the passing of iconic producer and songwriter Thom Bell.
The Jamaican-born, Grammy Award-winning music producer and songwriter, best known as one of the architects of the soul songs of the 1960s and ’70s known collectively as ‘The Sound of Philadelphia, died Thursday at the age of 79 in Bellingham. , washington.
The musician’s death was confirmed by his lawyer Michael Silver, although the cause of death was not disclosed.
RIP: The music world is in mourning just before Christmas, with the passing of iconic producer and songwriter Thom Bell.
DEATH: The Jamaican-born, Grammy Award-winning music producer and songwriter best known as one of the architects of 1960s and ’70s soul songs collectively known as ‘The Sound of Philadelphia’ died Thursday at age 79 in Bellingham, Wash.
Bell was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but moved to West Philadelphia with her family, where she quickly honed her musical skills.
He received his first drum kit at just 4 years old and met future collaborators Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, whom he performed with as a teenager along with Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates.
He worked as a writer and tour manager for Chubby Checker, before working at Cameo Records in Philadelphia as a session musician and arranger.
Perfected: Bell was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but moved to West Philadelphia with her family, where she quickly honed her musical chops.
Collaborators: Received his first drum kit at just 4 years old and met future collaborators Kenny Gamble (right) and Leon Huff (left), whom he performed with as a teenager along with Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates.
He was introduced to The Delphonics in 1967 and began producing, helping shape the group’s hits like La La Means I Love You and Didn’t I Blow Your Mind.
Bell worked as an arranger for Gamble and Huff’s record label, Philadelphia International Records, for groups such as Jerry Butler, Archie Bell, The Drells, Dusty Springfield and The Ojays, and arranged their hit song Back Stabbers.
The trio also created a music publishing company known as Mighty Three Music, before moving on to producing for The Stylistics.
Shape: Introduced to The Delphonics in 1967 and began producing, helping shape the group’s hits like La La Means I Love You and Didn’t I Blow Your Mind.
Arranger: Bell worked as an arranger for Gamble and Huff’s record label, Philadelphia International Records, for groups like Jerry Butler, Archie Bell, The Drells, Dusty Springfield and The Ojays, arranging their hit song Back Stabbers.
He also teamed up with Philadelphia-born songwriter Linda Creed, collaborating on hits like Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart), You Are Everything, Break Up to Make Up and many more.
Bell produced The Spinners after they moved from Motown to Atlantic Records, producing five gold records and hit singles like The Rubberband Man, which helped win him the first Grammy Award for Best Producer of the Year in 1975.
Bell has also worked with Elton John, Teddy Pendergrass, Deniece Williams and Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, Little Anthony and The Imperials, David Byrne, and Joss Stone.
Grammy winner: Bell produced The Spinners after they moved from Motown to Atlantic Records, producing five gold records and hit singles like The Rubberband Man, which helped win him the first Grammy Award for Best Producer of the Year in 1975.
Warner Chappel Music acquired Mighty Three Music in 1990 and received a star on the Philadelphia Musical Alliance Walk of Fame in 1993.
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bell is survived by his wife Vanessa and their children, Royal, Troy, Tia, Mark, Cybell and Christopher.
Family: Bell is survived by his wife Vanessa and their children, Royal, Troy, Tia, Mark, Cybell and Christopher.