The music world is mourning the loss of legendary producer and songwriter Thom Bell just before Christmas.
The Jamaican-born, Grammy-winning music producer and songwriter best known as one of the architects of the soul songs of the 1960s and 1970s collectively known as “The Sound of Philadelphia” died Thursday at the age of 79 years in Bellingham, Washington.
The musician’s death was confirmed by his attorney, Michael Silver, although no cause of death was given.
RIP: The music world is mourning the death of legendary producer and songwriter Thom Bell just before Christmas
Death: The Jamaican-born Grammy-winning music producer and songwriter, best known as one of the architects of the soul songs of the 1960s and 1970s known collectively as “The Sound of Philadelphia,” died Thursday at the age of 79 years in Bellingham, Washington
Bell was born in Kingston, Jamaica but moved with his family to West Philadelphia where he quickly honed his musical skills.
He received his first drum set at just 4 years old and met future collaborators Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, with whom he performed as a teenager alongside Hall & Oates’ Daryl Hall.
He worked as a staff writer and tour conductor for Chubby Checker before working as a session player and arranger at Cameo Records in Philadelphia.
Refined: Bell was born in Kingston, Jamaica but moved with his family to West Philadelphia where he quickly honed his musical skills
Associates: He received his first drum kit when he was just 4 years old and met future collaborators Kenny Gamble (right) and Leon Huff (left), with whom he performed as a teenager alongside Hall & Oates’ Daryl Hall
He was introduced to The Delphonics in 1967 and began producing, helping to 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 Philadelphia International Records record label for groups including Jerry Butler, Archie Bell, The Drells, Dusty Springfield and The Ojays, arranging their hit song Back Stabbers.
The trio also started a music publishing company called Mighty Three Music before producing for The Stylistics.
Shape: He was met by 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 Philadelphia International Records record label for groups such as 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 and worked 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 moving from Motown to Atlantic Records and produced five gold records and hit singles like The Rubberband Man, which earned him his first-ever 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-winners: Bell produced The Spinners after moving from Motown to Atlantic Records, produced five gold records and hit singles like The Rubberband Man, which earned him the first-ever 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 Music Alliance Walk of Fame in 1993.
In 2006 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Bell is survived by his wife Vanessa and children Royal, Troy, Tia, Mark, Cybell and Christopher.
Family: Bell is survived by his wife Vanessa and children Royal, Troy, Tia, Mark, Cybell and Christopher