EVENT ALERT: WRECKING BALL AND CRANE TO DEMOLISH HISTORIC PHILLY INTERNATIONAL RECORDS BUILDING

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All


OH NO! SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!

WRECKING BALL AND CRANE TO FINALLY DEMOLISH

ICONIC PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RECORDS BUILDING

LONGTIME HOME TO GAMBLE & HUFF, PATTI LaBELLE, CHUBBY CHECKER, TEDDY PENDERGRASS, LOU RAWLS, THE JACKSONS, AND DOZENS MORE

 

Former Home of Gamble & Huff’s Legendary ‘Sound of Philadelphia’ and Cameo-Parkway Records to Make Way for Hi-Rise Hotel and Luxury Condominium

 

WHAT:        The iconic PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RECORDS BUILDING aka The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP) that has long adorned the historic AVENUE OF THE ARTS WILL FINALLY COME DOWN TOMORROW, SATURDAY, APRIL 18 AT 11AM.”

 

As announced in October 2014, the final demolition of the building was in conjunction with the closing of Philadelphia International Records and the sale of the building – owned since 1970 by pioneering songwriting partners Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell until the property sold last fall to Dranoff Properties. The building, ravaged by a 2010 arson fire from which it never recovered, is scheduled to be demolished tomorrow morning, Saturday, April 18, 2015, to make way for the 47-story SLS International hotel and luxury condominium.

 

WHERE:      Philadelphia International Records building

         309 S. Broad St. / Gamble Huff Walk

         Philadelphia, PA 19107

WHEN:        Saturday, April 18, 2015

         9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

 

WHO:           Chuck Gamble, executive vice president of Philadelphia International Records and Gamble-Huff Music

 

WHY:            In recent years leading up to the arson fire, the Philadelphia International Records offices in the monumental brick building had become a major tourist attraction where Michael Jackson, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, the O’Jays, Lou Rawls, Chubby Checker and dozens more created worldwide smash hits. From school children to celebrity VIPs, Philadelphia International Records continually hosted visitors eager to see the historic rooms and hallways where the legendary “Sound of Philadelphia” music was created. The offices and recording studios also have been the site of several film documentaries and television specials and media visits, as well as special receptions, including a recent event honoring Motown founder and friend Berry Gordy. Gamble & Huff also originated their recent radio series on Sirius XM from the third floor recording studios.

 

As the corporate office for Gamble & Huff, the building served primarily as the source of the vast music catalog’s worldwide licensing. Their music has been featured prominently in television programs ("The Apprentice"), films ("The Nutty Professor") and advertising spots (Coors, Verizon, Old Navy, The Gap) for more than 35 years, entering the musical DNA of contemporary culture. Prior to the PIR era, this also was the building where Chubby Checker recorded “The Twist” and Dee Dee Sharp recorded “The Mashed Potato” as the home of the legendary Cameo-Parkway record label. Gamble & Huff wrote over 3,000 songs within 35 years, including R&B #1 hits, pop #1 hits, gold and platinum records, Grammy winners and BMI songwriters' awards honorees. With a stable core of artists led by the O'Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Billy Paul, MFSB and the Three Degrees, Gamble and Huff co-founded Philadelphia International Records and created monster hits almost from the first day of its inception. Songs they have written and produced together, like "Back Stabbers," "Love Train," "For The Love Of Money," "If You Don't Know Me By Now," "Cowboys to Girls," "Don't Leave Me This Way," "Enjoy Yourself," "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," "Only the Strong Survive" and "TSOP," have received songwriters' awards from Broadcast Music International (BMI). All told, the Gamble-Huff/PIR music machine has generated over 50 Gold and Platinum records and over 50 Top 10 hits.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

www.gamble-huffmusic.com

www.tsopsoulradio.com

 

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I was hoping it would become a museum and a mecca for aspiring artists the world over to come to - hopefully that's on the drawing board - it would be tragic to just have a marker standing in the place of where a huge slice of our history and culture once stood. 

I will be there front and center - may take a couple of Kleenex - After all, my hubby, Lou Wilson of Mandrill,  recorded there too.  

We have to honor, remember and preserve our history for ourselves and our progeny.

Kudos to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff for giving us all the wonderful memories and positive examples to hold on to for the rest of our lives.

Salute to THE SOUNDS OF PHILLY (TSOP) may they continue to inspire aspiring artists, writers, producers for eons to come!!

Stay Blessed & 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria