mr_june
09-10-2013, 01:59 PM
Truly sad to hear this. I always thought he was underrated. He and Thom arranged some of the best music of my life. I really appreciated Bobby's talent and what he meant to TSOP.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2013
PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RECORDS CO-FOUNDERS
AND LEGENDARY PRODUCERS
KENNETH GAMBLE & LEON HUFF
MOURN THE LOSS OF 'SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA' ARRANGER
BOBBY MARTIN
PHILADELPHIA - Legendary Philadelphia International Records co-founders and R&B pioneers Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff released the following joint statement today as they mourned the passing of Bobby Martin, a key arranger of some of "The Sound of Philadelphia's" much-loved hits, including "Me & Mrs. Jones," "You'll Never Find [[Another Love Like Mine)," "Cowboys to Girls," and the Grammy Award-winning "TSOP [[The Sound of Philadelphia)," also known as the Soul Train theme.
"He was the greatest arranger. We were able to work together with him to come up with a fantastic sound. He was part of a group of arrangers with us that included Thom Bell, Norman Harris, and Roland Chambers, and a vital part of the MFSB team who made major contributions. Bobby was tireless. He used to work all night on arrangements for us. Remembering his work ethic, and what it was like to just be around him, reminds us what a great time it was to be in the music business. "
As a top arranger, conductor and composer for the MFSB orchestra, "The Sound of Philadelphia" house band that is due to be inducted next month onto the Philadelphia Walk of Fame, Martin arranged major hits for the likes of Billy Paul, Lou Rawls, the Intruders, Dusty Springfield, and Patti LaBelle. Gamble & Huff fondly recalled today that Martin was the first person to record Ms. LaBelle, and was credited with creating her stage name. Martin often was referred to as "The Granddaddy of R&B and Soul."
"We send our sincere condolences to the Martin family," said Gamble & Huff. "He will be truly missed."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2013
PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RECORDS CO-FOUNDERS
AND LEGENDARY PRODUCERS
KENNETH GAMBLE & LEON HUFF
MOURN THE LOSS OF 'SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA' ARRANGER
BOBBY MARTIN
PHILADELPHIA - Legendary Philadelphia International Records co-founders and R&B pioneers Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff released the following joint statement today as they mourned the passing of Bobby Martin, a key arranger of some of "The Sound of Philadelphia's" much-loved hits, including "Me & Mrs. Jones," "You'll Never Find [[Another Love Like Mine)," "Cowboys to Girls," and the Grammy Award-winning "TSOP [[The Sound of Philadelphia)," also known as the Soul Train theme.
"He was the greatest arranger. We were able to work together with him to come up with a fantastic sound. He was part of a group of arrangers with us that included Thom Bell, Norman Harris, and Roland Chambers, and a vital part of the MFSB team who made major contributions. Bobby was tireless. He used to work all night on arrangements for us. Remembering his work ethic, and what it was like to just be around him, reminds us what a great time it was to be in the music business. "
As a top arranger, conductor and composer for the MFSB orchestra, "The Sound of Philadelphia" house band that is due to be inducted next month onto the Philadelphia Walk of Fame, Martin arranged major hits for the likes of Billy Paul, Lou Rawls, the Intruders, Dusty Springfield, and Patti LaBelle. Gamble & Huff fondly recalled today that Martin was the first person to record Ms. LaBelle, and was credited with creating her stage name. Martin often was referred to as "The Granddaddy of R&B and Soul."
"We send our sincere condolences to the Martin family," said Gamble & Huff. "He will be truly missed."