One of my goals with this list was to ensure that Philadelphia had proper consideration, if not outright representation. After making a list of Philadelphia-area music figures, I immediately thought of two men whose body of work over the years qualifies them for the Number 10 spot on my list of the Top Artists: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff.
Beginning in 1963, this partnership and friendship has had a huge impact on popular American R&B music over the last 35+ years. They have 200 gold and platinum records to their name. They have written, or co-written, 3,000 songs, including such masterpieces as "Love Train", "If You Don't Know Me by Now", "For The Love Of Money", "I'll Always Love My Mama", "You'll Never Find (Another Love Like Mine)", and dozens more. As producers, they have worked with a fine lineup of artists, including the Stylistics, MFSB, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, McFadden & Whitehead, Patti LaBelle, Billy Paul, and Lou Rawls. They stand in the elite company of the Beatles and Frank Sinatra as winners of the Grammy Trustees Award.
They developed and shepherded the development of "The Philadelphia Sound", a distinctive style of soul and R&B that mixed danceable grooves with horn and string sections, and terrific vocal harmonies. As a kid growing up in the Philadelphia area in the early and mid-70s, I remember hearing their music everywhere, from "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" to "Betcha By Golly Wow", catchy music that made you smile and uplifted the spirit. McFadden & Whitehead's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" was the unofficial anthem of the Phillies 1980 World Championship team. Of course, I remembered every song in their musical tribute, Me & Mrs. Jones, when it played at the Prince Music Theatre a few years ago.
But the power of their music did not end at the radio or record player speaker. With their founding of Philadelphia International Records in 1971, Gamble & Huff demonstrated a commitment to black ownership and control, which they felt was important in providing opportunities for success for the community. To this day, both men are still heavily involved in the community and work to strengthen black families and their support systems; Gamble's Universal Companies operates a job training center, a charter school, and also renovates housing. And they contributed the official theme song for the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
But really, it's all just a continuation of their spirit from back in the day, a time when (as Nikki Giovanni put it in her poem "I Love Music: when gamble and huff ruled"):
the right thing to do to creatively express while knowing who you and your people areFor all of this, and a lot more, they are to commended.
Check out:
Gamble & Huff's official website
Sony Records website for The Philly Sound CD collection
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