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49-498: Some of its most popular and best selling acts included the O'Jays , Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes , Teddy Pendergrass , MFSB , Billy Paul , Patti LaBelle , and Lou Rawls . Between 1971 and the early 1980s, the label released more than 170 gold and platinum records. Philadelphia International Records had been mostly defunct since 1987 and finally shut down in 2001. As of 2007, Sony Music Entertainment owns all rights to

98-492: A CBS subsidiary, Epic , both albums and the singles also had a Philadelphia International logo. In 1965, Gamble and Huff started an independent label, Excel Records. It was soon renamed Gamble Records and in 1972, was folded into Philadelphia International as a subsidiary. In 1974, the subsidiary's name was changed to TSOP Records, taken from the title of the 1974 hit single "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)". Artists for Excel/Gamble/TSOP included Dee Dee Sharp , Archie Bell &

147-517: A Philadelphia producer, to showcase their songs. The label's major hits included: " TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) " by MFSB , featuring the Three Degrees , 1974 (which was later used as one of the theme tunes for the TV dance-music show Soul Train ); " Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now " by McFadden & Whitehead (writers and producers with the label), 1979; " Back Stabbers " and " Love Train " by

196-416: A new project, Philadelphia International Records. Looking to attract new black acts to their label, but without the in-house know-how, Columbia Records was convinced to sign an exclusive production contract with Gamble and Huff's new Philadelphia International Records. The label was set up in connection with Mighty Three/Assorted Music, the music publishing company which was run by Gamble, Huff, and Thom Bell,

245-471: A recording career for the band under their own name. MFSB albums and singles were released for the rest of the decade. MFSB recorded a cover of the Nite-Liters 's 1971 instrumental "K-Jee", which gained some popularity later when it was featured in a key scene in the film Saturday Night Fever (1977). It is also included in the soundtrack to that movie. "Sexy" (1975) was later used as a prize cue for

294-459: A series of artists in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Jerry Butler, Wilson Pickett , and Dusty Springfield . They also produced the Jacksons ' first two albums for Epic/CBS after the group left Motown in 1976. The first, titled The Jacksons , featured the platinum-selling single " Enjoy Yourself ", and a second album, Goin' Places , followed in 1977. Although they were released on

343-706: A visit to Motown Records in Detroit to scope out the Motown setup. The success of their biggest signing, the Intruders , brought attention to Gamble and Huff allowing them to create Neptune Records in 1969. Neptune Records, a more ambitious project for the duo, was financed by Chess Records ; thus they were able to sign later Philadelphia International Records artists the O'Jays and the Three Degrees . When Chess Records changed ownership in 1969, Neptune Records folded. Gamble and Huff transferred their signed artists to

392-587: Is a form of soul music that emanated from Philadelphia during the mid-1960s. It provided a smoother alternative to the deep soul of the 1960s while maintaining the soul and emotion of popular R&B of the time. Philadelphia International Records was one of the most successful labels to capitalize on this new genre with acts such as the O'Jays and Teddy Pendergrass. Philly soul is known for its incorporation of lush string arrangements along with penetrating brass, and often tells very personal and emotional stories. The world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra 's string section

441-481: Is now home to the 47-story Arthaus Condominiums, where there is a tribute to Philadelphia International Records on display in the lobby. Gamble and Huff have written more than 3,000 songs throughout their careers, making them two of the most efficient and productive songwriters of all time. They continue to write songs together from their homes in South Philadelphia . Philadelphia soul , or Philly soul,

490-711: The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song . In 1999, Gamble and Huff were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Grammy from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences . In 2008, the duo was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category, joining their band the O'Jays, who were inducted in 2005. In November 2009, PBS aired a two-part special, Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia , that focuses on Gamble and Huff and

539-511: The video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas , playing on funk radio station, Bounce FM . An episode of the television series Pose named after the song aired on July 18, 2018, and the song appeared prominently in the episode. Due to a disagreement with Gamble & Huff over finances, several members of the group moved on to Salsoul Records , where they became known as the Salsoul Orchestra . Other members began performing as

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588-519: The "Big Deal of the Day" on the 1980 version of Let's Make a Deal . Another popular MFSB number, "Love Is the Message", has been a favorite of dance/disco DJs since its release; countless remixes , both official and unofficial, exist of the song. On September 20, 2004, the record became among the first to be inducted into the newly formed Dance Music Hall of Fame . In October 2004, the song appeared in

637-399: The 1950s and 1960s; it had become a tourist attraction. The fire was started deliberately by a man who had broken into the offices while so intoxicated by alcohol that he had no later recollection of the crime. In August 2011, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the company, Philadelphia International Records launched TSOP Soul Radio, an online radio station that airs music and interviews from

686-510: The 1960s, the group continued to chart with minor hits such as " Lipstick Traces " (which they performed nationally on the ABC television program Shivaree ), "Stand In for Love," "Stand Tall," "Let It All Out," "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow," "Look Over Your Shoulder," "Deeper in Love with You," and " One Night Affair ." However, while they issued dozens of singles throughout the decade, they never hit

735-787: The Blue Notes , the O'Jays , the Stylistics , the Spinners , Wilson Pickett , and Billy Paul . In 1972, MFSB began recording as a named act for the Philadelphia International label. " TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) ", also known as the Soul Train theme, was their second and most successful single. Released in March 1974, it peaked at number one on the US Billboard pop and R&B charts . "TSOP"

784-678: The Drells , and the People's Choice who had a top 10 single on TSOP in 1976 with " Do It Any Way You Wanna ". Later signings to the Philly International roster in the 1980s and 1990s included Patti LaBelle , the Stylistics , Phyllis Hyman , and the Dells . Between 1973 and 1975, Gamble and Huff also distributed a boutique label called Golden Fleece , set up by musicians Norman Harris , Ronnie Baker , and Earl Young , which released

833-456: The Gamble and Huff catalog. The building that housed Philadelphia International Records located on Broad and Spruce Streets was damaged by arson in 2010 and effectively was shut down. It was sold to local developer Dranoff Properties in 2014. On April 18, 2015, demolition started on the building. Dranoff Properties announced plans to build an SLS International Hotel at the site of the building. It

882-781: The Love of Money " (inducted 2016). Bill Isles (born William Carvan Isles II in McAdenville, North Carolina ) died on March 25, 2019, at the age of 78. The following albums reached the top twenty on the United States Billboard 200 pop albums chart. The following singles reached the top twenty on either the United States Billboard Hot 100 or the United Kingdom's UK Singles Chart . Gold discs, signifying sales in excess of five hundred thousand copies (USA), were awarded by

931-497: The O'Jays have received RIAA platinum status indicating sales in excess of one million copies: Ship Ahoy , Family Reunion , Identify Yourself , and So Full of Love . MFSB MFSB , officially standing for "Mother Father Sister Brother", was a pool of more than 30 studio musicians based at Philadelphia 's Sigma Sound Studios . They worked closely with the production team of Gamble and Huff and producer/arranger Thom Bell , and backed up Harold Melvin &

980-570: The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013. The group was formed in Canton, Ohio , in 1958 while its members were attending Canton McKinley High School . Originally known as The Mascots , and then The Triumphs , the friends began recording with "Miracles" in 1961, which

1029-404: The O'Jays, 1972/3; " If You Don't Know Me By Now " and " The Love I Lost " by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, 1972/3; " Me and Mrs. Jones " by Billy Paul, 1972; " When Will I See You Again " by the Three Degrees, 1974; and " You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine " by Lou Rawls, 1976. The label had a distribution deal with CBS Records until 1984. Distribution of the catalog from 1976 onward

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1078-494: The Philadelphia International Records catalogue. Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff , the founders of Philadelphia International Records, met in 1964 while they were both playing as session musicians for various labels, including Philadelphia based Cameo-Parkway Records , whose building would later become home to Philadelphia International Records' recording studio. In 1965, Huff joined Gamble's band,

1127-491: The Philly suburbs. Musicians on the session were Earl Young on drums, Bobby Eli and Dennis Harris on guitars, Jimmie Williams on bass guitar, Rikki Hicks on percussion and T G Conway on keys. Two songs have been released from that session: "Soul Recession" by Double Exposure and "There I go falling in love again" by Chiquita Green. According to the book A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul , by John A. Jackson,

1176-600: The R&;B charts throughout the 1980s. The O'Jays also saw some success in the United Kingdom , where they scored nine singles on the UK Singles Chart between 1972 and 1983, including four of which became major hits, reaching the top 20 on that chart. Their 1987 album, Let Me Touch You , included the number one R&B hit "Lovin' You." The O'Jays never again achieved pop success. In 1992, Sammy Strain left

1225-714: The RIAA for their singles " Back Stabbers ", " Love Train ", " For the Love of Money ", " I Love Music ", and " Use ta Be My Girl "; plus for the albums Back Stabbers , Ship Ahoy , The O'Jays Live in London , Survival , Travelin' at the Speed of Thought , Message in the Music , Emotionally Yours , and Family Reunion . "For the Love of Money" was used as the theme for the two reality shows The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice on NBC-TV. The following albums by

1274-556: The Ritchie Family orchestra, and John Davis and the Monster Orchestra . Not to be outdone, Gamble & Huff replaced them with a new rhythm section consisting of Charles Collins on drums, Michael Foreman on bass guitar, and Dennis Harris on lead guitar. They also employed Dexter Wansel and others on MFSB's latter recordings for the label. First recommended by news anchor Jim Vance , MFSB's "My Mood" has been

1323-467: The Romeos, a popular moniker at the time, by replacing future Philadelphia International Records producer and arranger Thom Bell on piano. Gamble and the Romeos had seen little success playing for their label, Arctic Records, and split up soon after. When the Romeos disbanded, Gamble and Huff started one of the first iterations of Philadelphia International Records (which they named Excel and Gamble) after

1372-553: The US top 40 (although "Lipstick Traces" made it to number 19 in Canada). On the R&B chart, the O'Jays were somewhat more prominent, but their only top 10 R&B single prior to 1972 was 1968's "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow." In spite of their success as a touring group and on the R&B chart, the group had been considering quitting the music industry in 1972. Around that time, original members Bill Isles and Bobby Massey departed, leaving

1421-587: The Weekend ," " Message in Our Music ," and " Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet Tender Love) ." Original member William Powell died of cancer in 1977 at age 35. After adding Sammy Strain (of Little Anthony and the Imperials ), the O'Jays continued recording, though with limited success. In 1978, the group released " Use ta Be My Girl ," which was their final top-five hit, though they continued placing songs on

1470-702: The closing theme music for the Friday 6:00 p.m. newscast on WRC-TV (NBC4), the NBC -owned television station in Washington, D.C. since 1975. MFSB's "TLC" (Tender Lovin' Care) was used for decades as the closing credits theme for the Washington, DC, version of the It's Academic quiz show recorded at WRC-TV. In 2008, some of the members appeared together on new recordings made at Bobby Eli’s Studio E/The Grooveyard in

1519-630: The early 1970s for the artists who recorded at the Sigma Sound Studios, including The O'Jays, The Spinners, Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, the Intruders , the Three Degrees , Jerry Butler , and Teddy Pendergrass . Later in the decade, the collective would become known for the hi-hat -dominated disco sounds that became popular in the late 1970s with groups such as the Trammps , First Choice , Ripple and Double Exposure . It

Philadelphia International Records - Misplaced Pages Continue

1568-548: The family of Philadelphia International Records artists. The concert was shot with a live audience on June 7, 2008 at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City ; it showcased TSOP artists. In February 2010, fire swept through part of the offices on Philadelphia's Broad Street . The building was previously the home of another iconic part of the city's musical heritage, Cameo-Parkway Records , based there during

1617-410: The group a trio. The remaining three original members, Eddie Levert, William Powell, and Walter Williams, continued recording together, and Gamble & Huff , a team of producers and songwriters with whom the O'Jays had been working for several years, signed them to their Philadelphia International label. Suddenly, the O'Jays released their first million-seller, " Back Stabbers ," from the album of

1666-536: The group and returned to the Imperials. Later in the 1990s, the group did little recording. On October 30, 2010, the group performed at Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert 's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, D.C. In Cleveland, Ohio, on August 17, 2013, the O'Jays were inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame . The O'Jays are also two-time Grammy Hall of Fame Inductees for their songs " Love Train " (inducted 2006) and " For

1715-404: The label releases hip hop music . Philadelphia International now largely concentrates on licensing its music catalog worldwide and has issued few new recordings since the mid-1980s when Gamble and Huff wound down their studio work together. In 1989, Gamble and Huff won their first Grammy Award . Simply Red 's cover of " If You Don't Know Me By Now " which was written by Gamble and Huff, received

1764-424: The mid-1980s, Philadelphia International Records had ended the distribution deal that they had with Columbia. The label was soon after picked up by Capitol/EMI Records. They continued to make hits, including Shirley Jones ' "Do You Get Enough Love", but their most successful years were behind them. In the 1990s, Philadelphia International launched a new subsidiary, Uncensored Records. Featuring Damon and No Question,

1813-544: The minor hit "Lonely Drifter" in 1963, but reached their greatest level of success once the producers Gamble & Huff signed them to their Philadelphia International label in 1972. With Gamble & Huff, the O'Jays (now a trio after the departure of Isles and Massey) emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia soul with Back Stabbers (1972), and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 the following year with " Love Train ". Several other US R&B hits followed, and

1862-524: The same name . This album produced several more hit singles, including "992 Arguments," "Sunshine," "Time to Get Down," and the number 1 pop smash, " Love Train ." During the remainder of the 1970s, the O'Jays continued releasing hit singles, including "Put Your Hands Together" (Pop number 10), " For the Love of Money " (Pop number 9), " Give the People What They Want ," "Let Me Make Love to You," " I Love Music " (Pop number 5), " Livin' for

1911-690: The second album by the Trammps . Gamble and Huff also launched a short-lived subsidiary called Thunder Records. Created by Thom Bell, it only had two singles: Derek & Cyndi's "You Bring Out the Best in Me/I'll Do the Impossible for You", which was produced by Bell, and Fatback Band member Michael Walker's "I Got the Notion, You Got the Motion", produced by his brother and Spinners member Philippe Wynne . By

1960-530: The sessions. More than 30 resident studio musicians, known collectively as MFSB ("Mother Father Sister Brother"), were based at this studio and backed up most of the recordings. Some of the musicians also acted as arrangers, writers, or producers for Philadelphia International as well as for other labels recording in the city. They included Bobby Martin , Norman Harris , Thom Bell, Ronnie Baker , Vince Montana and, later, Jack Faith, Dexter Wansel, and John Usry. Gamble and Huff worked as independent producers with

2009-518: The spring of 1974, Philadelphia International released an instrumental track which had been recorded by the band as the theme music for the television show Soul Train as a single. The record, titled " TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) ", reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and also topped the R&;B chart and the adult contemporary chart . The success of "TSOP" launched

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2058-542: The top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts as the backing band for the O'Jays ' " Love Train " in March 1973. In 2005, drummer Keith Benson (who along with Charles Collins and Quinton Joseph, had joined the group in 1975 upon Earl Young's departure) revived the group with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s help. The lineup included himself on drums, Jimmy Williams and Stacey McGee on bass,|Dennis Harris and Barton French on guitars, Carla Benson and Michael Clark on vocals. In

2107-467: Was a guitarist and songwriter in the very early O’Jays. He came with us when we first ventured out of Cleveland and traveled to Los Angeles, but he also was in love with a woman in Cleveland that he missed so much that he soon returned back to Cleveland after a short amount of time." In 2021, human remains discovered in 1982 at Twinsburg, Ohio , were identified as those of Frankie Little . Throughout

2156-545: Was a moderate hit in the Cleveland area. In 1963, they took the name 'The O'Jays', in tribute to Cleveland radio disc jockey Eddie O'Jay, who was part of the powerful management team of Frankie Crocker , Herb Hamlett, and O'Jay. In 1963, the group saw the release of their song "Lonely Drifter," their first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 . The single peaked at number 93. Their debut album, Comin' Through ,

2205-574: Was influential in establishing the disco sound. The track sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in April 1974. MFSB formed in 1971 and disbanded in 1985, three years after Teddy Pendergrass ' car accident, which left him paralyzed. Assembled by record producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff , MFSB was the house band for their Philadelphia International Records label and originated " Philly sound " that dominated

2254-993: Was often employed to play on many of Philadelphia International Records' tracks. Philly soul is often considered a producer's genre, the essence of the genre coming mostly from Gamble, Huff, Bell, and the other producers within PIR. Philly soul, with its driving rhythms, later became an inspiration for the disco craze of the 1970s. Catalog numbers from 1971 to 1985 are part of CBS Records' overall numbering system, and therefore are discontinuous. Albums released from 1986-1990 were part of Capitol/EMI catalog numbering system. Catalog numbers for albums released after 1991 are from Philadelphia International's distribution deal with Zoo Entertainment . The O%27Jays The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio , formed in summer 1958 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert , Walter Lee Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles. The O'Jays made their first chart appearance with

2303-552: Was released shortly thereafter. In the early 1960s, member Frank "Frankie" Little, Jr. joined the group as a guitarist and songwriter. He worked with lead vocalist Eddie Levert, assisting with some of the writing for the group, including 1964's "Do the Jerk" (recorded by Frank Polk), 1964's "Oh, How You Hurt Me" and 1966's "Pretty Words". He is also credited with vocals on 1962's "Down at the Corner." According to Walter Williams, "Frankie

2352-562: Was taken over by EMI Records , but CBS continued to distribute material which was recorded up to 1976. In 2007, Sony's Legacy Recordings regained the rights to Philadelphia International's full catalog and the following year, PIR/Legacy released a box set titled Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia . Most of the music which was released by the label was recorded and produced at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, with chief engineer and later studio owner Joe Tarsia recording many of

2401-855: Was the 1973 release of their first album, MFSB , that put them on the map. This marked the beginning of a string of instrumental hits that brought major attention to a large orchestra who laid the foundation for the Sound of Philadelphia. The line-up of musicians included Karl Chambers, Earl Young , and Norman Fearrington on drums; Norman Harris , Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli , and T. J. Tindall on guitar; Winnie Wilford and Ronnie Baker on bass; Vincent Montana Jr. on vibes , timpani , orchestra bells , chimes , percussion, arrangements and conductor, and Larry Washington on congas and bongos , Harold Ivory Williams on keyboards, plus Leon Huff and Thom Bell on keyboards and Don Renaldo on strings and horns featuring Rocco Bene on trumpet. MFSB's disco sound first hit

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