Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter Thom Bell has died at the age of 79

The music world is in mourning just before Christmas, with the death of famed producer and songwriter Tom Bell.

The Grammy Award-winning Jamaican-born music producer and songwriter best known as one of the architects of the 1960s and 1970s known as the “Voice of Philadelphia,” died Thursday at the age of 79 in Bellingham, Washington.

The death of the musician was confirmed by his attorney Michael Silver, although the cause of death was not stated.

RIP: The music world is in mourning just before Christmas, with the death of famed producer and songwriter Tom Bell

DEATH: The Grammy Award-winning Jamaican-born music producer and songwriter best known as one of the architects of the 1960s and 1970s known as the

DEATH: The Grammy Award-winning Jamaican-born music producer and songwriter best known as one of the architects of the 1960s and 1970s known as the “Voice of Philadelphia,” died Thursday at the age of 79 in Bellingham, Washington.

Bell was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but moved with his family to West Philadelphia, where he soon honed his musical talents.

He got his first drum set at just 4 years old, and met future collaborators Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, with whom he sang in his teens alongside Daryl Hall of Hall & Oats fame.

He worked as a staff writer and tour leader for Chubby Checker, before working at Cameo Records in Philadelphia as a session player and arranger.

Hone: Bell was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but moved to West Philadelphia with his family, where he soon honed his musical talents

Hone: Bell was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but moved to West Philadelphia with his family, where he soon honed his musical talents

He was introduced to The Delphonics in 1967, and began producing, helping to form such successful groups as La La Means I Love You and Didn’t I Blow Your Mind.

Bell worked as an arranger for Gamble and Half’s Philadelphia International Recording Company for groups such as Jerry Butler, Archie Bell, The Drills, Dusty Springfield, and The Ojays, and arranged their hit song Back Stabbers.

The trio also created a music publishing company known as Mighty Three Music, before moving into producing for The Stylistics.

The Look: Introduced to The Delphonics in 1967, he began producing, helping to form hit groups like La La Means I Love You and Didn't I Blow Your Mind

The Look: Introduced to The Delphonics in 1967, he began producing, helping to form hit groups like La La Means I Love You and Didn’t I Blow Your Mind

Arranger: Bell served as arranger for Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International record label for groups like Jerry Butler, Archie Bell and the Drills, Dusty Springfield and the O'Gays, and arranged their hit song Back Stabbers.

Arranger: Bell served as arranger for Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International record label for groups like Jerry Butler, Archie Bell and the Drills, Dusty Springfield and the O’Gays, and arranged their hit song Back Stabbers.

He also collaborated with Philly-born songwriter Linda Creed, collaborating on songs like Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart), You Are Everything, Break Up to Make Up and many more.

Bell produced The Spinners after they moved from Motown to Atlantic Records, and they produced five gold records and hit singles like The Rubberband Man, helping him win his first-ever Grammy Award for Producer of the Year in 1975.

Bell has also worked with Elton John, Teddy Pendergrass, Deniece Williams, Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, Little Anthony and The Imperials, David Byrne, and Joss Stone.

Mighty Three Music was acquired by Warner Chappel Music in 1990 and he was awarded a star on the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame in 1993.

He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.

Bill is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and children Royal, Troy, Thea, Mark, Sybil, and Christopher.

Family: Bill is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and children Royal, Troy, Thea, Mark, Sybil, and Christopher

Family: Bill is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and children Royal, Troy, Thea, Mark, Sybil, and Christopher

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