Philadelphia producer. Thom Bell, - Praise, Comments, Music, Social Topics
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- Опубликовано: 30 ноя 2016
- John discusses his favorite Philadelphia producer, Thom Bell, and other related topics from the late 1960's through the 1970's.
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Thom Bell - The Greatest music producer that ever lived!
I believe it is Norman Whitfield, the greatest who ever lived, Thom may land second.
@@jankove2 Nope. Bell tops all.
Totally agree!
Thom Bell is the greatest producer of all time!
He’s above Quincy Jones,
and even his friends
Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff.
@@aaronj095
Exactly.
Thom Bell is the best!
@@jankove2 THANK YOU.
The incredible Mr. Thom Bell...musician, singer, composer, arranger, producer etc. etc. etc.
Another talented Jamaican born icon
Di man a gorgan!
If it wasn't for Thom Bell, I would have never gotten into arranging. He was able to incorporate so many techniques of classical orchestration and ideas into his arrangements. He would use unusual instrumentation in his songs: bassoon, celeste, piccolo trumpet, etc., He also used counterpoint, stretto, 'question and response' in the string section, meter changes, modulation. Wow! Without a doubt, he was, and still is in 2020, my #1 favorite R & B/Pop arranger in the world, like Stravinsky is my #1 classical composer, Jerry Goldsmith #1 film composer, #1 tenor saxophonist, John Coltrane etc., They all were originals!!! After two notes, I could recognize anyone of these GIANTS! BTW, I wore out the song "Going In Circles" and "Grazing in The Grass".
Agreed on Thom and the others. Thanks for Grazin and Circles!
The Friends Of Distinction and Hugh Masekala. For sure!!!
Thanks Mr. Thom Bell for providing us with the soundtrack of life. As a fellow Jamaican-American I am proud of your contributions to music 🎶. Now you will be writing ✍️ those sweet songs in heaven. SIP🙏
Thom Bell is an incredible genius. His music always really struck a chord with me.
He and his music lives on. .using is his name.
What a legacy he left behind . His music will live on and I didn’t know that he was from Jamaica . May his soul RIP
Doxc, Thom, my brother and cousin who was born on Thom's birthday Jan 26th, they were Aquarians. And they used to tell some big stories that I didn't believe. Thom said he used to see Bob Marley in Jamaica, I'd never believed it for some reason. I too thought Tommy was born in Jamaica, until after his death when a family member said he was born in Philly. His mother was born in Baltimore, and his father in Virginia. It was his Maternal Grandfather that was born in Jamaica according to the 1950 census when Thom was 7. He was my fav arranger and producer. I knew he didn't drive, but I didn't know he didn't fly either. He used to use the train to come to Philly from Washington.
Thank you Thom Bell, for your amazing talent & ability, the music of my life!
Hey man what a tribute. Thom Bell died today. He wrote and produced some great music. I worked with some of the artist he wrote for ,and they were great people also thanks for this testimonial about a great producer. And thanks to you for your work. Be Blessed my friend.
Rest in paradise thanks for beautiful music they dont make music like this any more
He was gifted by God
Old school Elder here: My father introduced me to so many musical styles of music when I was a young SUN. My two TOP musical composer's were Burt Bacharach and Thom Bell. Forget about race, creed or color and focus on touching the heart when writing or producing music. ♥️
Amen.
This is college lecture quality, John. Thom Bell's family should be so proud of your insights into his career.
A dynamic producer ,arranger. Song writer thank you Mr. Bell for writing those beautiful songs they continue to live on. The late great Linda Creed on the collaboration
Thom Bell created his sound out of thin air. His changes, the bass inventions used…as big to me as Bacharach
Thom Bell is and was one of the greatest arrangers/producers of the 70's and 80's. He was responsible for almost single-handedly catapulting the Spinners into super stardom, with songs like, I'll be around, Could it be I'm falling in love, Mighty Love and so many, many more and with many other great groups and artists. His arrangements were so crisp and classy with great orchestration. His style was so unique with his classical musical training mixed with the talented voices of the Spinners, Stylistics and Delfonics....just to name a few. There will never ever be another Thom Bell, Gamble and Huff, Holland Dozier Holland or Norman Whitfield.
Well said. I 2nd it.
Don’t forget Smokey!
Thom Bell unsung genius of Philly soul
😮! I loved Thom Bell!! Exceptional catalog & superstar producer! RIP Maestro! May your brother Barry White & all the beautiful late superstar welcome you with open arms! 🕊️
I agree about Thom Bell, LOVE what he did with Johnny Mathis and Dionne Warwick.
Love what Thom Bell did with Elton John did too.
RIP Mr. Thom Bell. He TRULY was the GREATEST. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES SIR
My guy Thom Bell his music raised me in the 70s. Now i'm 48 and his musical genius still inspires me
Thank you for the gifts Thom Bell
We just lost Thom Bell today. Rest in power.
Thom Bell a great arranger composer. I had the priviledge of working with the Spinners ,and the O'JAYS back in the day he wrote hits for these great performers. He was a great guy. Thanks for this program.
Thom Bell's name was all over my record collection---he is beyond compare; you can see his genius work all over the record industry's best music :-)
I was a staff-writer at H&L Records and one of the highlights of my career was meeting Thom. And, like you, he was my hero as a writer, arranger, orchestrator and producer. I listened to everything of his that I could get my hands on over the years. Appreciate your insight into him and his work and the biz. Stay safe.
He'll tell you he's also a "conductor".
@@eddietee6305 Absolutely, but since I was never interested in that, didn't mention it. But you're right.
Thanks Thom Bell for your amazing talent and all the good times your music gave me!!! RIP❤️🙏
What a great tribute to Mr. Bell. Such a legendary producer. The hits and classic songs he produced will stand the test of time. Lastly, thank you for the education on what it was like in the 60s and 70s for Blacks and Whites in the role of producer for R and B music. So informative and eye opening. I would love to watch an entire video on that alone. Thank you for sharing this video.
Thom Bells' orchestration was on the archetypal-ethereal transcendental plane. I could actually astrally travel to Philadelphia from listening to the what I call mediumistic music emanating from Philly!!!!!!!
I can’t thank you enough for sharing this inside-the-industry insight during pop music’s most amazing period. Thom Bell, Smokey Robinson, Norman Whitfield, yourself and numerous other music producers that colored my youth with history’s greatest music will never come around again-certainly not in MY lifetime.
Thank you, Les. I am most appreciative.
He produced the BEST R&B LP ever with “The Stylistics” debut. A virtual greatest hits LP with no bad fillers. Thom Bell is my favorite all time producer as well. His feel for dreamy emotional driven hits was a true gift no one else had Black or White during that era.
Rest in peace Thom Bell 🌹
What a nice tribute! Thom Bell is one of my writing, producing, arranging heroes. Very talented man. I think more than anyone else from that period, he perfected the art of writing introductions that really grabbed the listeners and pulled them into the song. Congrats on your own hits too... "Grazin'" and "Rock the Boat" were huge hits, and they still sound great!
❤ RIP Thom Bell ❤
Mr. Bell was a amazing song writer and composer.
John,
Just came across your site,i had the honor to play percussion{Vibes,bells,marimba & timps ] for Thom Bell,for such artist as Stylistics Lou Rawls deniece Williams and the movie The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh.
Thom was one of the kindest people i have worked with in my 50 years in the biz.Always took care of the guys,the rhythm section always got double scale,that section included,Bob Babbit, Bobby Eli,Larry Washington & Charles Collins.
i still work with Johnny Mathis and he sings 2 Thom Bell tunes in his act Betcha By Golly Wow & You Make me Feel Brand New,i get goose bumps every night i play them.
Thom is a unsung hero of the R&B era ,one of the greats
Ed Shea.....NYC
Wow, Ed. I looked you up, too, and am blown away by your artistry and accomplishments. Kudos, my friend.
In your 1st year with John (Mathis), did you know his conductor, D'Arneill Pershing - my deceased (1981) best friend?
If you'd like to contact me privately, please go to the Contact page at my Web site: www.jwflorez.net
Thank you for the magic you've given us :-)
You are amoungst greatness
John Flore
Mr. Shea, thank you so much for your contribution to the wonderful art of music. This music is the foundation of my life. It enriches my soul. I take the light that this music gives me and pay it forward. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done.
What a great tribute John to Thom Bell. May he rest in Heavenly Peace. The Friends of Distinction was one of my favorite groups that you Produced that influenced my recording career with my group Vocalpoynt.
Peace,
Byron Woods
Thank you, Byron. Much appreciated!
More. Then a string of hits he had hits thom bell was the greatest
I thank you for this beautiful tribute to one of the all time best in music. You nailed it when you said you always, always know a Thom Bell record. Pure genius. May Mr. Bell rest in perfect peace. As I type this I am listening to the Stylistics. Another great album he did was "Coming Home" with Johnny Marhis" talk about a beautiful album. Please if anyone can please listen to this georgous work. Live on Thom Bell, well done!
I followed Thom Bell into the early 1980s and his penned songs and productions with Dee Dee Bridgewater ("Dee Dee Bridgewater, 1980 album), Deniece Williams ("My Melody," 1981, "Niecy" 1982), and Phyllis Hyman ("Goddess Of Love," 1983). One of the most creative writers and produces in soul music EVER.
Thom was a genius; special one in a million.
Arrangements are legendary.
The Stylistics had a beautiful Oboe solo.
No one but Thom put together such a full sound ; with strings !
God bless this master ... 🤗
My mother introduced me to this amazing music and I can honestly say that just about every song with Thom Bell's name on it is a favorite of mine. If this man is still alive, I would be honored to just shake his hand and thank him for the gift that he is and has brought to the world.
I Got Your Back Me too....many of my earliest musical memories are Thom Bell productions.
Amen. I would be so honored as well. Al
I Got Your Back Thom is indeed alive, well, retired from the biz and living in Bellingham, Washington.
He is and on of the Jamaicans who made and impact on early soul music
@@howardthorpe8724 omg ur kidding. He's from my country?
John, thank you! For this insightful gift of a music maker such as the reserved and very private Mr. Thom Bell.
As a young man growing up in Kingston Jamaica from whence came Thom Bell, the sound track of our lives was the music of all those you mentioned along with your own. We loved Thom Bell even before we knew he was one of us.
I have petitioned the Jamaican Government to bestow on him the "Order of Distinction", not withstanding his American nationality....no avail.
I am also privy to your excellent work and that is why your beneficent tribute to a living genius makes such a singularly kind contribution. Long life and abundant blessings to you John Florez...same for everyone who gave us the music!♡
I agree and hope you are successful with this project. Thank you!
He truly made good music, and I have always enjoyed listening to the sounds of Philly.
Thank you Mr. Florez for your hits, OMG Grazing in the Grass, Going in Circles and Rock the Boat. Bless you for your great hits! Your hits are still played on my favorite R&B NY station That music world was so corrupt my goodness!! A disgrace!! Appreciate the history lesson. God bless you!
Wow. Thank you, Beverly. Very much appreciated!
Thom bell the gold standard of music producers,the man did it all from scratch, respect
RIP Mr Thom Bell! Your music was the soundtrack to our lives!
Love it! Thom is truly a great and gets overshadowed
Thom Bell an Absolute music Genius
Thom bell was the best
Ennio Morricone-level genius. Wish he would come out of retirement and compose movie scores.
Thank you for recognizing an amazing producer. My appreciation for your work. PS
Thom Bell was a solo producer arranger songwriter & background vocals set aside Gamble & Huff were their own machine.
Didn't know anything about Thom Bell. I just saw that Elton John had worked with him. Then I came to this site and discovered Thom Bell produced all the songs I loved growing up. Wow.
What a beautiful video tribute you've made.. I'm a soul music lover from Chicago. A "white boy too" have been a house music/ dance dj since the 1980's , but also played instruments and wrote some songs myself. I have always thought the Thom Bell songs were so gorgeous and unique sounding, with their beautiful instrumentation and arrangements. thank you for being so candid with your stories. I love to hear all that insider stuff. if you lived in Chicago I would definitely look you up and take you to breakfast so we could chew the beef about the great days of music. thank you so much. BTW. going in circles was amazing too!
You're welcome, Bill. And thank you!
The best, music,played by Musicians Extraordinary,Written,by Minds so far ahead of time. Orchestrated,by Genius!
Those days won't come back. Now its mainly doo-doo.
Thom Bell is the greatest producer of all time!
Thank you for such a wonderful tribute to the great Thom Bell. Thank you for your wonderful contribution for allowing us to enjoy your great work as well. Al
You're welcome, Al. My pleasure.
Thom is a national treasure May we never forget hom and his classic music..
I am so proud of the fans of Thom Bell because the rarefied productions this great composer put out are absolutely celestial!!!!! I felt strange for many years because my classical upbringing was stimulated into realms of transcendental splendor listening to this mans' ethereal flavored stardust!!!!!!
Thank you Marchaund for your wonderful tribute to such a great, skillful, and talented composer and arranger Mr. Thom Bell. Your tribute was beautifully said. Alfonso
Thank you, Alfonso!
My favorite producer!
Love all of the productions by Thom Bell.
He also can sing,
and did the actual background vocals on most of the songs he produced
especially for the Stylistics because he didn’t like none of their voices except for
the lead singer Russell Thompkins,Jr.
Hey John, “Grazing in the Grass” is a very refreshing song...”You Got Me Going in Circles” is 100% pure genius!
Definitely an all time favorite. I see Friends of Distinction as like the 5th Dimension. They’re black, but their sound is very universal...like most Motown artist. “Going in Circles” definitely should have won a Grammy.
I’m not surprised how the record companies were run. White people thinking blacks are below them, and Black people thinking they can’t work with a white guy...just to front, all the while everybody screwing up the artist dreams...especially the radio companies. How sad, how sick. Thank you for giving your true experience, I too love and admire Thom Bell and his talents. “Going in Circles” is a damn masterpiece!!!
Thank you, Don. Very much appreciated!
WOW THAT WAS REAL COOL,THANKS JOHN!!!
We....as kids buying these bits of music...had no earthly ideas of what the business of music was like. 50's 60's 70's must have been creative hell..let alone monetary reward system. I have to admire your tenacity and grit. White boy or black boy....the dynamic must have been jarring at best. Recognition is still slow coming....the true story of the music industry is a total smoke screen. Glad to see you had a chance to voice your small bit of behind the scene experience. Thank you!!! You, Tom.Linda...you are all Stellar!
Thank you, Edward. Very gracious and much appreciated.
Thank goodness for the Thom Bells of this world. They were the “musicians” for Elton, and all others under his pen.
John you only open up my eyes some more to what I think long ago about award shows, I knew from the out set that it was pure politics - laced with discrimination and racism. Some of the people who deserves a nomination, didn't get it. And some of those who got it - didn't deserve it!!
Thanks very kindly Mr Florez, for this wealth of information, and a very refreshing presentation. By the way, did you know that Thom Bell was born in Jamaica? the country of Bob Marley where I'm from, I'm very proud of the gentleman.
Thanks, Errol. So true... so true! It's a shame.
Thank you for taking the time to produce this video. More often than not we hear about artists falling on hard times as they grow older. I was very moved to see the Seattle Times article about Thom in 2018 'A Hall of Fame hitmaker finds happiness and harmony in Bellingham'. He closed one chapter in his life and is enjoying a new life in Washington. I hope you enjoyed your musical journey and can look back on those times with joy and pride. All-the-Best.
Hi Anthony. I read that article, too, and loved it! Thom is an incredible man and an amazing talent. He's truly "One of a Kind..." (pun intended)
It's rare to hear - with such candour - 1st hand knowledge of the music biz history in a nutshell... Let's get John that 'new gold' of 1000 subscribers!
Wow! Thank you Angelo. Very much appreciated.
RIP Thom Bell
Rest In Peace sir thom bell🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you John, for speaking the truth!
Sun18102020:::0131::: Still playing the songs of Thom Bell and Linda Creed sung by Johnny Mathis.
Thank you Mr Bell
After looking at much literature on the subject of orchestration (Hindemith, Adler, Alexander, Sebesky, Rimsky-Kosakov, I believe Thom Bell is an ETHEREAL GENIUS because his hair-raising concoctions seem to directly flow from an extraterrestrial plane. (Being born in Kingston, Jamaica I believe automatically would qualify this man for an astral sensitivity beyond that of the average composer). The more I listen to his work the more I see the phenomenology of music as an astral transport medium. Think of how this man has somehow taken the ambient environment of a city that has continually produced genius throughout its history. Ben Franklin, etc. Jeff Lorber, John Coltrane, to name a very few...........Only a matter of a few feet away in New Jersey there was Thomas Edison.........Then Thomas Randolph Bell's music has the GRANDEUR of Americas' Colonial Foundation, Gasp!!!!!! Sigh!!!!!! Philadelphia's' City Hall is so consonant with his musical effulgence........ Roll with me please:Take a look at a .jpeg of Philadelphia's City Hall and simultaneously listen to "I Only Stop" By Blue Magic THEN tell me he didn't somehow channel energies (maybe even subconsciously) from the very everyday atmosphere of this great city!!!!!!!!! MFSB could only evolve in Philadelphia because the city's Feng Shui there was correspondent to that sound. Without the blessing of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ I honestly would go into dangerous paroxysms of ecstasy listening to this overwhelmingly powerful music and have always PRAYED for the people of PIR and MFSB as they were obviously channeling the cosmic energies they did. Only God Himself could be the direct agent of their musical marvelous outflow for His creatures enjoyment. God Bless Sweet Philadelphia, The Mighty Three: Thom Bell, Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff and The Godfather of The Philadelphia Sound: Bobby Martin.
I must agree! This man's work is definitely otherworldly!
Thom Bell is a genius unbelievable talent.
Still listening to this in 2018.
Thank you,sir. I always loved Thom Bell music...arrangements and heartfelt songs consistently! What a gift.
your honesty is amazing
Thanks for your prospective and the history lesson on Producer royalties. I remember a blurb by the late Lisa Lobes of TLC fame talking about "the points" available to be distributed in a record, but never defining where they went. Thanks for the clarification.
Also, I wasn't aware that you produced "Friend" singles for RCA. I bought them way back when and they stand the test of time. I'd love to find a multitrack of those to play with someday, but I bet they were destroyed in the UNI fire a dozen years ago. I found out the relationship between Harry Elston and Floyd Butler pre-friends Hi-Fi's with Marilyn McCoo and Lemonte McLemore when I interviewed Marilyn and Billy a few years ago. Amazing talent...
Great comments, Tracy. Thank you!
@@JOHNFLOREZ51446 Thank you! I'm glad a lot of this history isn't getting lost to the sands of time.
Sweet Philly soul
Hi John, thanks for that video presentation. Very magnanimous and sincere.
Thank you! Glad you watched and enjoyed it.
John, I have been a fan of your production, particularly on THE FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION.
I always considered them a slightly more R&B version of the 5th Dimension. RCA didn't seem to have the radio support for your songs that Johnny Rivers did at Soul City to make them the monster hits that they deserved to be. Nonetheless, I never needed radio to tell me who to like, so THE FRIENDS are legendary to me and a select group of my friends, obviously thanks to you making such great music.
So sorry GRAZIN' and CIRCLES didn't earn you more financially. You deserve much more.
Freedom for the Stallion is also a fantastic recording.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! Your comments mean a lot to me. The truth is: RCA had NO payola budget, so Grazin' , Circles, and Freedom were all grass roots-generated hits, thank God! If I had still been a staff producer at RCA when the Hues Corpoation hit, I would've earned, salary included, $51,000 for a 4 miilion seller in 1974 (the max RCA could pay their employee producers). At least, with a 4% royalty as an independent, my royalties were 5 times the employee rate and also "in perpetuity", so I'm still getting paid for the Hues Corporation. Everything seems to always work out in time, doesn't it?
And, here's a RUclips link to my Friends of Distinction 50th anniversay clip:
ruclips.net/video/H5PbHcpG57k/видео.html
@@JOHNFLOREZ51446 I'll check it out soon. I remember Quincy Jones not loving the fact that he was a VP/Staff Producer when he worked on It's My Party, Judy's Turn to Cry, and You Don't Own Me.
I'm so glad that some of your work was done independently so you get some kind if compensation for the wonderful music you gifted to us.
I had thought about trying to be a staff producer at one time. I'm so glad that it didn't happen.
Thanks for the link.
R.I.P Thom
RIP 🙏🏽
I WAS AT PHILLY INT IN THE EARLY 70S AND GANGTERS HAD A STRONG INFLUENCE ON EVERYTHING THAT WENT ON, THE ROAD MANAGERS AND OTHERS WERE REAL STREET GUYS ,BELIEVE ME!!!
Legend
You seem sooo realistic about how the business runs and where you fit inside of it. Thanks for giving us some insight to YOU as well as your appreciation of Thom Bell's legacy.
Thank you.
You're very welcome! Thom is deservedly a one-of-a-kind legend - a brilliant music man.
Hey John...You may not know me by name, but I'm Preston Glass -- I'm a songwriter/producer who is a protege of Thom Bell's, and I was signed to Mighty Three Music back in the day. Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed this commentary, and also let you know that while Thom is also my favorite producer/arranger , you were also one of my favorite producers! (In fact, I released a solo album entitled "Music As Medicine" where on the inside credits I listed my favorite producers, and you're on the list!).....I especially loved your work with Carl Graves. (If you have anymore unreleased stuff of your collaboration with Carl, I'd love to hear them)...Thanks for the music. - Preston
Oh my, Preston. What a TREAT. Thank you! I've found several of your links and will enjoy them later today. Blessings! (Sorry... no more un-released Carl Graves tracks here.)
Hi Preston. Would love to continue a dialogue with you via email. If you're interested, please use the Contact form at my my Website (jwflorez.net).
John,I want to thank you very much for the information ,he is my favorite producer,it would be great if you could about some of the artist he produced,such as Deniece Williams,Dionne Warrick,Phyliss Hyman just to name a few,would be great.Thanks.
You're welcome, Terrance. Sorry. I don't have any info on his other artists.
Thank you sir,and keep up the great work you are doing.
@john florez You produced one of my favorite albums during my digging period, Myrth. Thank you Thank You!
Thank YOU! Much appreciated.
R.I.P.
Thom Bell
(January 26th,1943-
December 22nd,2022)
According to his lawyer and
family,
he passed after a lengthy illness.
Simples, do o melhor produtor , arranjador e escritor do R&B em sua época . Descanse em paz meu irmão . Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
Thank you for posting this wonderful Thom Bell tribute and insider view of the biz from back in the day....John Florez, I love your production and arranging on "Goin in circles" its wonderful, I'd put in up there with a Thom Bell production for sure !
However you give him praise and thank you for you honestly
Thanks John Florez 👍
You're welcome. But words can not begin to describe the genius of Thom Bell...
My idol
Wow, i didn't know you produced those 2 Friends of Distinction classics! Thanks for sharing your commentary and telling it like it is!
You're very welcome!
Really enjoyed your commentary and insight as to what it was like to work as a producer, i believe you to be a fine producer in your own right and have enjoyed a lot of your work, so thank you for that and also for the comments on Thom Bell as you state, a true musical genius.
You're welcome. And thank you!
I agree. I totally love how he comment on Thom Bell and gave him the credit for producing the Phily Sound as well as Gamble & Huff. When I was young, I always looked at the bottom of the record to see who produced the song because they are the one who should really get the credit.
Thanks so much for this video!!
My pleasure!
Thanks so much for illuminating this golden time in production! Thank you also for the timeless hits! Not sure I caught which book you were recommending about the Philly scene...? But bottom line, you shed some light on a time & place that everybody remembers, but they aren't always conscious of. How about a bibliography? Thanks once again.
Thank you! Much appreciated...
The book I like is: A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul.
BTW... My full production list at RUclips is here, including a series of autobiographical video diaries.
ruclips.net/p/PLPUyncym-jc_pkLtthq9qfBrCLEVjC5_e
sonic and harmonic innovator and pioneer. He and willie Mitchell are up there looking down on us fools
Great interview. Thanks.
Thank you, Floyd!
Just realing Philly was much much more than Motown & Philly didn't try to cross over So is Philly music is the backbone
In a word: Excellent!