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Following the success of The O’Jays, The Spinners and The Delfonics, Philadelphia: the City of Brotherly Love had just enough room for another highly successful soul group The Stylistics.
The Stylistics, with their charisma,style and harmony evolved into one of the best-selling soul groups ever, as the Philadelphia-based quartet recorded a remarkable 10 consecutive Top 10 hits during the early 1970s.
The story of The Stylistics is not only of success, it is one of early disappointment that eventually led to their meteoric rise.
When the Monarchs and The Percussions, two moderately successful Philadelphia high school bands dissolved in the late 60’s, it set the state for a merger that would impact soul music for years.
In 1968 under the suggestion of a teacher, the two disbanded high school groups decided to join forces.
Russell Thompkins Jr, Airrion Love and James Smith of The Monarchs joined forces with James Dunn and Herbert Murrell of The Precussions and The Stylistics were born.
In 1971 the group collaborated with producer Thom Bell, the ingenious creater of the Philly Sound to release their debut self-titled album.
The Stylistics captured the imagination of the nation and the hearts of its women with their first single You’re a Big Girl Now which immediately became a top 10 smash.
The Stylistics had started a contemporaries or predecessors that appeaked to the masses.
With his style and delivery, fans and artists alike were mesmerized.
Under the production of Bell, The Stylistics went on to produce 12 consecutive Top 10 hits from 1971 – 1974, culminating with their Grammy – Nominated hit You Make Me Feel Brand New It seemed every song the quintet released greeted the airwaves with fresh, artistic fervor.
Their emphasis on a smoother, sweeter ballads made them the antithesis of many of their contemporaries. Their temp and style would vary effortlessly with each song. The Stylistics had carved themselves a reputation as perhaps the premiere soul group during that time-span.
They released their final album under Bell”Heavy” in 1974 but their popilarity would not end there. Their 1975 release “The Best Of The Stylistics” eventually earned double platinum honors,making it their highest selling album ever.
As the years following their Bell/Creed collaboration passed and their production underwent a facelist The Stylistics would undergo even more changes when Dunn and Smith left the group in the early 80’s. Still they persevered, replacing the duo with Van Fields and Harold Brown.
As they evolved The Stylistics appealed to a more mature audience while maintaing a global popularity. The realse of their Stylistics Christmas album kicked off their 25th Anniversary world tour.
They toured South Africa in 1996 playing in front of a crowd of 35,000 at Johannesburg Stadium. The Stylistics began another world tour in November 2000 in England which then stormed into Singapore and finished in Hong Kong on New Years Eve. The Stylistics also continue to to tour with the 70’s Soul Jam Tour which plays to sold-out crowds across the nation.
With their 1996 release of Love Talk The Stylistics have proven themselves to be a pillar of longevity in a genre rife with one hit wonders and break-ups. Altogether, The Stylistics appeared on over 40 albums including compilations.
What started as the innocent union of two ex-high school bands developed into one of the longest-standing, most accomplished soul bands to grace the R&B scene.
Stylistics live 2012 tour dates
NOVEMBER 2012
THURS 1 BLACKPOOL North Pier
FRI 2 STEVENAGE Arts & Leisure Centre
SAT 3 BASILDON Towngate Theatre
TUES 6 EASTLEIGH Concorde
WED 7 LEICESTER de Montfort Hall
SAT 10 BOGNOR Butlins
SUN 11 CHATHAM Central Theatre
TUES 13 GATESHEAD Sage
WED 14 BIRMINGHAM Jam House
THUR 15 LICHFIELD Garrick
FRI 16 ST. ALBANS Arena
SAT 17 NORTHAMPTON Derngate
WED 21 LONDON Indigo2
THUR 22 FAREHAM Ferneham Hall
FRI 23 BOURNEMOUTH Pavilion
SAT 24 SKEGNESS Embassy Theatre
SUN 25 WOLVERHAMPTON Civic
TUES 27 SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
FRI 30 LIVERPOOL Philharmonic
DECEMBER
SAT 1 IPSWICH Corn Exchange
SUN 2 NORWICH St. Andrews Hall