Gamble & Huff Celebrate 50 Years As Songwriting Partners

Philadelphia International Records, the legendary record label which introduced “The Sound of Philadelphia” to “people all over the world” through an enormous catalogue of songs by pioneering songwriter-producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, is proud to

announce the official launch of its 40th anniversary celebration with a growing number of special events across the nation, beginning this week in Los Angeles.

The yearlong celebration will extend into 2012 as Gamble & Huff, one of popular music’s most prolific professional songwriting teams, mark the 50th anniversary of their historic partnership.

Songs Gamble & Huff have written and produced together include the hits “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,” “Expressway to Your Heart,” “Me & Mrs. Jones,” and “TSOP” (better known as the “Soul Train” theme).

Their songs comprise the most sampled R&B catalogue in the world, by artists such as Jay-Z, Usher, Cam’ron, Ja Rule, Jaheim, and Avant.

Gamble & Huff have recorded and collaborated with a galaxy of stars from the pop, rock, soul and jazz universes, including Michael Jackson and the Jacksons, Elton John, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Aretha Franklin, Billy Paul, the Spinners, the Stylistics, the Delfonics, Dusty Springfield, Jerry Butler, Wilson Pickett, Labelle, Archie Bell & the Drells, the Soul Survivors, Laura Nyro, the Trammps, McFadden & Whitehead, Phyllis Hyman and Grover Washington Jr.

Here is the list to date of events celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Philadelphia International Records. More events are forthcoming:

May 12 – NARM 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award for Musical Collaboration, Awards Dinner Finale at NARM’s 53rd Annual Convention, Los Angeles Hyatt Regency Century Plaza

May 21 – Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia Lifetime Achievement Award Gala, Westin Philadelphia

June 11 – Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Community Awards honors to Gamble & Huff

June 23 – Nancy Wilson in Concert at the Dell Music Center

June 24 – TSOP Night at the Phillies honors the 40th anniversary of PIR with Jerry Butler, Chubby Checker and Dee Dee Sharp at Citizens Bank Park

July 4 – Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July Jam salutes the 40th anniversary of PIR, Benjamin Franklin Parkway free concert, Philadelphia

July 11 – Dell Music Center honors Gamble & Huff

August 3-7, 2011 – National Association of Black Journalists National Convention salutes Gamble & Huff as honorary chairmen.