Thom Bell, icon of Philadelphia soul music, dead at 79

Grammy Award-winning producer Thom Bell, who helped create “The Sound of Philadelphia” during the 1960s and ‘70s with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff as the Mighty Three, died Thursday. He was 79.

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Bell’s attorney, Michael Silver, said in a statement that Bell died at his home in Bellingham, Washington, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The cause of death was not immediately available, Silver said.

“Thom Bell left an indelible and everlasting mark on the history of popular music, but even more so, he will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind and loving friend and family man,” Silver said. “The music world has truly lost one of the greats.”

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, on Jan. 26, 1943, Bell studied classical music as a child, Billboard reported. He grew up in West Philadelphia with nine brothers and sisters and his parents were both musicians, the Inquirer reported.

Bell was known for working with early R&B groups like the Delfonics, the Spinners and Deniece Williams.

With Linda Creed, he co-wrote a number of soul classics like “Betcha By Golly, Wow,” “You Are Everything,” “You Make Me Feel Brand New” and “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart),” Billboard reported. In the late 1970s and early ‘80s, he also co-wrote and produced tracks for Elton John including “Are You Ready for Love” and “Mama Can’t Buy You Love.”

During his career, Bell also collaborated with Teddy Pendergrass, Johnny Mathis, Dionne Warwick, Lou Rawls, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Dusty Springfield, according to the Inquirer.

Bell’s greatest achievements were his work on songs like “La-La Means I Love You” by the Delfonics, “The Rubberband Man” by the Spinners, “Back Stabbers” by the O’Jays and the Stylistics’ “I’ll Be Around,” Rolling Stone reported.

In 1975, Bell became the inaugural Grammy winner for producer of the year, non-classical. He had previously been nominated for co-writing the Delfonics’ “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” and arranging the Stylistics’ “Betcha By Golly, Wow,” Billboard reported.

In 2017, the Recording Academy presented him with a trustees award — the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award for non-performers.

Bell was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006, as well as the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum a decade later.

”Tommy and I have been best friends for over 60 years,” Gamble said in a statement. “When we first met, we decided to start writing songs together and form a singing duo ‘Kenny and Tommy’ and then our band The Romeos. 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.”

“Thom Bell was my favorite musician, arranger, songwriter, and music producer of all time!” Huff said in a statement. “It was my esteemed honor and pleasure to work with him creatively and as a business partner. Rest in peace.”

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