In 1972, the Spinners became the first veteran group to strike proto-disco gold when hooked up with the right producers. And the early '70s, those soul Svengalis were mostly based in the City of Brotherly Love. Although they were a Detroit-based act, one with a sole major single (1970's "It's a Shame"), this five-member harmony group finally attained major stardom with the help of songwriter-producer Thom Bell and the Philadelphia soul sound he helped innovate with the Delfonics and Stylistics. Newly bolstered by the addition of co-lead singer Philippé Wynne, the Spinners' hit streak began when DJs abandoned the ballad side of their initial Atlantic Records single in favor of its smooth but danceable flip, "I'll Be Around."

That hit and subsequent smashes like "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love," "One of a Kind," Love Affair," "Mighty Love," and "Then Came You" with Dionne Warwick all exemplified Bell's particular strand of Philly soul — elegant, exceedingly clear and well-proportioned. It maintained the melodic complications of Burt Bacharach while accentuating the rhythms of his orchestral arrangements. The Spinners scored a final smash, "The Rubberband Man," then Wynne departed and Bell's Philly formula lost its freshness. Producer… read more »