To those of you who grew up on the "Philly Sound" of the 70s,this book is a must-have! Written by John A.Jackson,this 338-page book is excellent,detailing the compelling story of producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff,and their massively successful R&B record label Philadelphia International Records.The book also includes the story of Thom Bell and Linda Creed,and anyone else who was involved with Philly Soul.I literally could not put this book down until I finished it.The Gamble and Huff story would make an interesting movie.


So many interesting facts and stories,things you would be shocked to learn,such as...


***Kenneth Gamble,who was the main producer for nearly ALL of Philadelphia International's songs,actually can't play a single instrument or read music.

***The O'Jays hated the song "Back Stabbers" when it was first submitted to them.Kenny Gamble said he and Huff "had to almost force the O'Jays to sing it,they didn't like it".

***In the mid-70s,at the height of their greatest success,Gamble and Huff were involved in a serious payola scandal that could have damaged their careers and record label.

***When Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes were given the song "The Love I Lost",it was originally a ballad in the vein of their previous hit "If You Don't Know Me By Now".Producer Len Huff said "Oh man,it's too draggy,let's pick up the tempo" and it quickly became a dynamic uptempo number.

***The 1979 McFadden and Whitehead song "Ain't No Stoppin Us Now" is often considered to be a civil rights anthem of sorts.In actuality,the song is a "declaration of our independence from Gamble",claimed John Whitehead.For years,the two songwriters had been writing numerous songs for other PIR acts,and they were desperate to finally do their own album,on their own terms.



Has anyone else read this book yet? What do you think?

I must admit I like the facts you state, but I do not know too much about the artists...

I just know some hits, never been a person that collected Phillie soul

sounds like a great book David, thanx


anybody own the 14 LP box set "The Philadelphis Story" released on the British Streetsounds label in 1986? this is a compilatiopn to end all comilations

Dancelot said:

I wonder if there is a CD version of that box set?

Dancelot said:

The book is amazing! There are lots of interviews with the people who were involved.I love the parts where they discuss certain studio sessions,such as when Thom Bell brought Phillipe Wynne (without the other Spinners) to record the song "Sadie"....there wasn't a dry eye in the house.Or when Lou Rawls came in to record "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine".The details are so precise,you feel as if you're there.They also discuss the Jacksons and their mid-70s association with Gamble and Huff.

DavidEye said:

I wonder if the Philadelphia Story I am downloading now from E-mule is an MP3 version of it...

HamsterHuey said:

Well,now is the time to start collecting

DavidEye said:

Gooey/Huey/Mr Download

without giving away too many details,here are a few other interesting stories that are told in this book...


***Find out why Billy Paul's career never really took off.He had a massive hit in 1972 with "Me and Mrs.Jones",but never really became a superstar.The book details an interesting reason why (having to do with a questionable decision that Kenneth Gamble made).

***Find out why Elton John's 1977 recordings with producer Thom Bell were temporarily shelved,and why the full album was never completed.

***Find out why songwriter Linda Creed angrily left the Philly camp,and why she quit her association with partner Thom Bell.

***Find out why Teddy Pendergrass' 1982 car crash was not really a surprise to the folks who knew him well

***Find out why producer Thom Bell quickly grew bored with two of his most successful acts (The Delfonics and The Stylistics),and why he stopped working with them to concentrate solely on The Spinners.


I'm tellin you guys,this book tells the WHOLE story!!

DavidEye said:

hmmm... im thinkin "Billy Hart and Russell Tompkins"

DavidEye said:

Spill the beans for the ones who won't buy this!

Common!

DavidEye said:

I think there is, I've seen a PIR box set a couple of times in cd form, but haven't looked for it lately.