Beverley Knight To Play Royal Albert Hall Celebration Of 50 Years Of Philadelphia International
Beverley Knight, Andrew Roachford, Omar Lye-Fook, and Tony Momrelle will join Sir Lenny Henry at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 19 October for The Sound of Philadelphia – marking 50 years of Black-owned soul music label, Philadelphia International Records, and legendary songwriting partnership Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell.
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The one-night-only event on Saturday 19 October will feature hits from the extensive Philly Sound back catalogue, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, singers Ashton Jones, Derek Green, and Wayne Ellington, and music director Chris Cameron. Tickets are available at royalalberthall.com.
The Philadelphia International Records roster included the O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and Teddy Pendergrass and a UK favourite The Three Degrees among others, with hits including Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, Don’t Leave Me This Way, Love Train, Me and Mrs. Jones and When Will I See You Again and hits associated with Thom Bell such as Rubberband Man and You are Everything and hundreds more.
Songwriters Gamble and Huff said: “We are honored to have the Royal Albert Hall celebrate the great catalog of music written and produced here in Philadelphia. We along with our late partner Thom Bell were totally focused on creating songs and a sound that would be loved around the world with a message of “Love and Empowerment”. On behalf of our house band MSFB, our artists, producers, songwriters and Philadelphia International Organization, we thank the UK for continuing to be our most loyal fans in the world-spanning over five decades celebrating The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP).”
Chris Cameron, Music Director, said: “I grew up with the Sound of Philadelphia and just about everything else that came out of pop radio in the 70s. Thom Bell and Gamble and Huff created such a terrific mix of lush strings, funky rhythms, pop, jazz and gospel meeting the symphonic.”
“Philly Soul is timeless, and you see now with the sampling generation going back and revisiting this quality music time and time again. We can’t wait to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of TSOP…keeping it going for the next generation!”