“He’s a great talent”

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Producer Thom Bell, who helped create the “Philadelphia Sound” soul music, dies at 79.

Bale’s wife Vanessa Associated Press He died on Thursday at his home in Bellingham, Washington, last week after a long illness. However, further details on the cause of death are still unknown.

Bell joined Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in the ’70s to create the “Voice of Philadelphia” trio.

“Tommy and I have been best friends for over 60 years,” Gamble wrote instagram“When we first met we decided to start writing songs together as the singing duo ‘Kenny and Tommy’ and then our band Romeos…he was a great talent and a dear friend of mine .Rest in peace, man.”

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“Thom Bell is my favorite musician, arranger, songwriter and music producer!” Huff reportedly said in a press statement rolling stone“It was an honor and a privilege to work creatively with him as a business partner. Rest in peace.”

Born in Jamaica in 1943, Bell moved to Philadelphia as a child. He eventually went on to become a session player and arranger for groups such as the Delfonics, Spinners and Stylistics.

Meanwhile, his best known songs include “La-La Means I Love You” by the Delfonics, “Rubberband Man” by the Spinners, “Backstabber” by the O’Jays, and “I’ll Be Around” and “Betcha” by Golly Wow” by Stylistics. He also produced Elton John“Mom Can’t Buy You Love” by

In 1975, he became the first person to win a Grammy for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Music. In 2006, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Then, in 2017, the Recording Academy presented him with a Trustee Award.

Earlier this year, the Big Three announced they would be making a film called sound of philadelphia.

“Six years later, we are so proud to finally share our life stories with the world and showcase all the hard work that went into creating this great piece of music,” the trio said in a statement rolling stone with deadline earlier this year. “Our old and new fans alike will take a unique look at the creation of The Philadelphia Sound with themes of empowerment and love, presenting ‘people all over the world’ with our all-time ‘message in music!!!'”

Bell is survived by wife Vanessa and his six children: sons Troy, Mark, Royal and Christopher, and daughters Tia and Cybell. New York Times.