Post by Diamond Girl on Aug 7, 2006 18:53:42 GMT -5
Berry Gordy, Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Al Bell come together for gathering of music legends
PHILADELPHIA (BlackNews. com)-Philadelphia International Records recently released editorial sound bites and photos of an extraordinary forum that amazingly brought together-for the first time ever-the four men collectively responsible for the rise of the R&B/soul music genre: Motown founder Berry Gordy, Philadelphia International Records founders Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and Stax Records founder Al Bell. The historic question and-answer session held recently at the landmark GambleHuff recording studio in Philadelphia, provided an intimate setting for industry trailblazers Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell to collectively reflect on their musical genius.
(Left to right) Kenny Gamble, Berry Gordy, Leon Huff and Al Bell
"To have the four architects of R&B/soul together in one room, under one roof at the same is beyond belief," said Philadelphia International Records Executive Vice President Chuck Gamble, who orchestrated the forum as one of several special events taking place this year in celebration of The Sound of Philadelphia's 35th anniversary. "We are still digesting it."
There's certainly plenty to absorb. That's because Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell are responsible for countless hits recorded by many of the world's top artists including Motown's the Temptations, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye; Philadelphia International Records' the O'Jays, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls and Billy Paul; and Stax Records' Issac Hayes, Al Green, Otis Redding and the Staple Singers.
The rare gathering of these pioneers was videotaped in front a live audience that included Motown R&B songwriting veterans Brian and Eddie Holland; Claudette Robinson of the Miracles; Chubby Checker; Bunny Sigler; Chuck Jackson; and William "Poogie" Hart of the Delfonics. Also present was actor Clifton Davis who wrote the 1971 Motown hit single "Never Can Say Goodbye" recorded by the Jackson 5; and some of the young R&B hitmakers of today including producers Andre Harris and Vidal Davis (Dre and Vidal) who have created music for Usher, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Will Smith; and Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias who have produced songs for Musiq and Faith Evans.
Prolific songwriter and renowned Motown artist Smokey Robinson made a surprise appearance at the gathering and immediately joined Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell in the discussion. Audience members watched in awe as the men who brought classic soul music into their lives humbly and eloquently took turns reflecting on their unmatched successes, thousands of songs created, countless artists recorded, and friendly behind-the-scenes label rivalries.
"Gamble and Huff would come out with these songs that would amaze us and we'd say man, how did they get that," said Gordy as he called the Motown-Philly relationship a "loving competition." Moderated by veteran Philadelphia radio personality Dyana Williams, the three-hour discussion was lighthearted in terms of content but passionate as it related to the many reflections shared.
The dialogue spanned a variety of topics ranging from key elements of a good song and personal favorites to Hip-Hop sampling and studio sessions of the '60s and '70s and beyond. Audience members learned that it was Smokey Robinson who encouraged Berry Gordy to create Motown while hearing humorous memory-lane sidebars including one about how nervous Gamble was when he picked up Robinson from the Philadelphia International Airport less than a week after obtaining his driver's license.
The discussion turned sentimental at times such as when Al Bell reflected on "a song I wrote called
I'll Take You There" to applause from the audience; when Huff declared the Gamble-Huff songwriting duo as "a partnership made in heaven"-and when Gamble proclaimed a bond so strong with Huff that "me and Huff are like one person."
But, even at the height of the reflections, anecdotes, laughs and commentary, the entire discussion remained saturated by a reoccurring theme of shared admiration and respect for Motown founder Berry Gordy, whom Gamble, Huff and Bell each credited with having set the stage for their success.
"He's the godfather and the chairman and if it weren't for him none of us would be here," said Bell.
"He served as our model," said Gamble.
"He was our inspiration," said Huff.
Added Smokey Robinson. "Berry Gordy taught me how to write a song."
"People walked out of Philadelphia International Records that night absolutely astounded at what occurred," said Chuck Gamble.
Confirming the accuracy of his observation was the popular "Dre and Vidal" producing duo calling it an honor to be among "living legends" of whom they have made every attempt to "emulate." Andre Harris said he left feeling like "it's our time to take it to the next level" while a concurring Vidal Davis said "it was almost like they were passing the torch."
R&B crooner Gerald Levert encouraged today's songwriters, producers and artists to "bring back to the industry the camaraderie" that Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell exhibited at the forum. Levert noted that although the four icons were steering three separate record labels at one time and were in essence competing for music sales, "they still shared a bond with one another at the end of the day."
All told, the event was perceived as a music industry gem a remarkable, long overdue gathering of principal architects that the industry needed to witness.
"Who knows?" said Chuck Gamble, when asked what happens next. "Maybe next time, we'll go to the world-renowned Motown Hittsville studios in Detroit or to the venerated Stax museum in Memphis. We can't let this die. We have to keep it going."
Frost Illustrated
PHILADELPHIA (BlackNews. com)-Philadelphia International Records recently released editorial sound bites and photos of an extraordinary forum that amazingly brought together-for the first time ever-the four men collectively responsible for the rise of the R&B/soul music genre: Motown founder Berry Gordy, Philadelphia International Records founders Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and Stax Records founder Al Bell. The historic question and-answer session held recently at the landmark GambleHuff recording studio in Philadelphia, provided an intimate setting for industry trailblazers Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell to collectively reflect on their musical genius.
(Left to right) Kenny Gamble, Berry Gordy, Leon Huff and Al Bell
"To have the four architects of R&B/soul together in one room, under one roof at the same is beyond belief," said Philadelphia International Records Executive Vice President Chuck Gamble, who orchestrated the forum as one of several special events taking place this year in celebration of The Sound of Philadelphia's 35th anniversary. "We are still digesting it."
There's certainly plenty to absorb. That's because Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell are responsible for countless hits recorded by many of the world's top artists including Motown's the Temptations, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye; Philadelphia International Records' the O'Jays, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls and Billy Paul; and Stax Records' Issac Hayes, Al Green, Otis Redding and the Staple Singers.
The rare gathering of these pioneers was videotaped in front a live audience that included Motown R&B songwriting veterans Brian and Eddie Holland; Claudette Robinson of the Miracles; Chubby Checker; Bunny Sigler; Chuck Jackson; and William "Poogie" Hart of the Delfonics. Also present was actor Clifton Davis who wrote the 1971 Motown hit single "Never Can Say Goodbye" recorded by the Jackson 5; and some of the young R&B hitmakers of today including producers Andre Harris and Vidal Davis (Dre and Vidal) who have created music for Usher, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Will Smith; and Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias who have produced songs for Musiq and Faith Evans.
Prolific songwriter and renowned Motown artist Smokey Robinson made a surprise appearance at the gathering and immediately joined Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell in the discussion. Audience members watched in awe as the men who brought classic soul music into their lives humbly and eloquently took turns reflecting on their unmatched successes, thousands of songs created, countless artists recorded, and friendly behind-the-scenes label rivalries.
"Gamble and Huff would come out with these songs that would amaze us and we'd say man, how did they get that," said Gordy as he called the Motown-Philly relationship a "loving competition." Moderated by veteran Philadelphia radio personality Dyana Williams, the three-hour discussion was lighthearted in terms of content but passionate as it related to the many reflections shared.
The dialogue spanned a variety of topics ranging from key elements of a good song and personal favorites to Hip-Hop sampling and studio sessions of the '60s and '70s and beyond. Audience members learned that it was Smokey Robinson who encouraged Berry Gordy to create Motown while hearing humorous memory-lane sidebars including one about how nervous Gamble was when he picked up Robinson from the Philadelphia International Airport less than a week after obtaining his driver's license.
The discussion turned sentimental at times such as when Al Bell reflected on "a song I wrote called
I'll Take You There" to applause from the audience; when Huff declared the Gamble-Huff songwriting duo as "a partnership made in heaven"-and when Gamble proclaimed a bond so strong with Huff that "me and Huff are like one person."
But, even at the height of the reflections, anecdotes, laughs and commentary, the entire discussion remained saturated by a reoccurring theme of shared admiration and respect for Motown founder Berry Gordy, whom Gamble, Huff and Bell each credited with having set the stage for their success.
"He's the godfather and the chairman and if it weren't for him none of us would be here," said Bell.
"He served as our model," said Gamble.
"He was our inspiration," said Huff.
Added Smokey Robinson. "Berry Gordy taught me how to write a song."
"People walked out of Philadelphia International Records that night absolutely astounded at what occurred," said Chuck Gamble.
Confirming the accuracy of his observation was the popular "Dre and Vidal" producing duo calling it an honor to be among "living legends" of whom they have made every attempt to "emulate." Andre Harris said he left feeling like "it's our time to take it to the next level" while a concurring Vidal Davis said "it was almost like they were passing the torch."
R&B crooner Gerald Levert encouraged today's songwriters, producers and artists to "bring back to the industry the camaraderie" that Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell exhibited at the forum. Levert noted that although the four icons were steering three separate record labels at one time and were in essence competing for music sales, "they still shared a bond with one another at the end of the day."
All told, the event was perceived as a music industry gem a remarkable, long overdue gathering of principal architects that the industry needed to witness.
"Who knows?" said Chuck Gamble, when asked what happens next. "Maybe next time, we'll go to the world-renowned Motown Hittsville studios in Detroit or to the venerated Stax museum in Memphis. We can't let this die. We have to keep it going."
Frost Illustrated
