Yes, all the musicians from Philly were on there. Earl Young on the drums. The great Vince Montana was the writer, producer and playing the Vibes which he was known for. I’ve got all the Salsoul music as well as the Philly.
man this is like a philly sound history/ biography and geography where everyone was from especially the parts about Bobby Martin and the continental 4.and Norman Harris lesson all rolled into one Bobby Eli gets an A+ for this one
Yes, thank you, more people should hear this. Tell your friends! And please subscribe so I can keep bringing out these important interviews from the masters!
Just as James jamerson played bass on most Motown hits... Ronnie Baker played bass on most Philly international hits. They both moved me to play bass. 💥
Your style of interviewing is PERFECT, not once did you interrupt B.Ely, but your unobstrusive way of asking very important questions, really shone.!!! I could listen for hours and hours of this legend speak. But thanks to you, i managed to get some historical facts, in line. Thanks so much for this wonderful interview.!!!!
@@DRRICHARDNILES I enjoyed the interview, i am so sorry there won't be an interview with the talented song writer, the late Linda Creed passed away 4/10/86 There is a live performance of her with the Spinners in 1974 doing then came you(audio only).Maybe you could ask around if there is a live performance and you could post. Thanks.
This is a truly incredible interview. Fascinating, totally engaging and highly informative. One of the best interviews of its kind- incisive and sharp with a whole bunch of facts one after the other! Its important to capture the memories of these iconic players who contributed so much to the magic of the Philly Sound while they're still with us so that future generations can share the knowledge.
SEE, THIS IS THE REASON WHY THERE NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL HBO DOCUMENTARY ON THE PHILLY SOUND! THE LEGENDS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL SOUND ARE LEAVING THIS EARTH! GIVE THEM THEIR TRIBUTE NOW WHILE THEY ARE STILL HERE SO THEY CAN TELL THEIR STORY!
This interview was such a pleasure to do, and is a valuable historical document. Most of the creators are gone.If someone would invest, I'd make the documentary immediately!
The sound of philly / motown / stax / solar/ they were all fantastic. Funk with a bow 🎀 👔, that sounds sophisticated. I can picture 📸 Barrack Obama bopping his head to phillys great music. This was an excellent informative enjoyable post. Fav chilly acts the ojays and the Jones girls.
Don Freeman here. I’m a songwriter keyboardist producer from Philadelphia. I got my start at Philly Groove Records doing sessions for Mary Holmes - I’ll Make It Up To You and I Need Your Loving which we cut live at Sigma Sound. Rhythm section, strings with Don Renaldo and the horns. We eventually got signed to Philadelphia International by Leon Huff who is one of my favourite pianist ever, he is a monster musician! I met Larry Washington who brought so much energy into the studio it was incredible! I was the MD/ keyboardist with Sister Sledge for a few years and moved to Los Angeles to play and write songs for Michael Jackson Jeffrey Osborne Bill Withers Chaka Khan David Sanborn Hugh Masekela George Duke etc great interview with Bobby ❤
This interview is amazing. Talk about painting a picture of Philadelphia the producers singers arrangers song writers….. I mean amazing. It’s as if I am in each described era studio and Philadelphia neighborhood. History captured like no other. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Bobby Eli was one of my mentors in the 1980's. We recorded many song demos in my home studio. We didn't drink or get high much. But invariably Bobby would ask, "You got any cookies or something?" Haha. Great times. I'm still sad I didn't catch up with him before he passed.
Thank you for capturing the excellence of the history of the Philadelphia sound by presenting in this interview the master musician/historian Bobby Eli. Truly loved it. An inimitable, incomparable, sound that is still so utterly pleasing. I hope that you will interview someone who can tell us the background as to why PIR had such a vibrant but comparably short run given all of the dynamic musicians that worked that pleasing magic together so well making one think it would be ever lasting. What happened after a strong run throughout the 70s and even placing its stamp on the Disco era to where it appeared to ultimately flame out by maybe 1980?
BTW - Bobby Martin's first arrangement for G &H was Cowboys to Girls. Joe Renzetti did United and Together and is indeed credited as the arranger on the label of the singles. Joe went to Hollywood and won an Oscar for arranging the music for the Buddy Holly Story.
Wow! Great interview! I never got to meet Bobby but got a chance to talk with him in a group discussion. I was a member of the Prime Cut band that was backing First Choice. Stan Watson hired me to play with them, i think because i was a Wes Montgomery fanatic which led to me becoming a Norma Harris fanatic, and they said I reminded them of Norman who was their producer. I can't describe the excitement when i got the chance to meet him. I enjoyed this so much.
this man has died. Bobby Eli (born Eli Tatarsky; March 2, 1946 - August 17, 2023) was an American musician, arranger, composer and record producer from Philadelphia. He was a founding member and lead guitarist of Philadelphia studio band MFSB.[1] NO mention of this.. too bad.
This interview was done in 2003 when Bobby was very much alive, so there would be no mention of his death. His biography is mentioned clearly both in the video and in the description of the video clearly printed above.
no man, I mean IN THE NEWS.. he went without any announcements, like they do celebrities who have died this year, that sort of thing.. not you on youtube.. .. @@DRRICHARDNILES
And don’t forget, Bobby Eli was part of the Salsoul Orchestra. He had two different orchestras in the 1970’s, MFSB, and the Salsoul Orchestra, featuring another MFSB member, Vincent Montana Jr. who was part of the band.
By the way Richard…a proper musical interview needs to be done with Thom Bell…like a lot of guys from the past…they have been overlooked by the industry!Most of MFSB have passed on…get to the rest quick…! Bobby Eli actually wrote some classic ballads like ‘Love Won’t Let Me Wait’…Just Don’t Wanna be Lonely…Sideshow etc etc…if you can get him to talk about his own writing…that would be cool…nice one Richard!
Yes, I loved doing this interview. It was part of my project on arrangers in Pop and it's all transcribed in my book "The Invisible Artist" [available on Amazon]. Other arrangers featured include David Van DePitte, Arif Mardin, Bobby Martin, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Thom Bell, Nile Rodgers, and many more. You'll love it!
I sang at Bobby Eli’s memorial 10/10/23. He engineered my last cd. He was the best. The name of my cd is Anticipation! My name is Crystal Spivey- check it out! Song 🕊🎶
You do realize Gamble and Huff are misrepresented with the names under their picture? Anyway, met Bobby many years ago at a birthday party for a friend of mine, the late Keith Barrow, who Bobby was producing at that time. Nice guy.
Sorry about that. My channel is a 2 man operation, and I do my best. I hope you can subscribe and check out some of the other great interviews. Thanks for watching.
Thanks. This was done in 2008. And for the time I had, Bobby gave me so much. I am so honored to have had the chance to talk with such a great story teller, filled with so much detail and heart. And proud that it's available for music lovers and scholars to hear. You'd really enjoy my book of interviews THE INVISIBLE ARTIST.
I always felt that the sound of Philadelphia was underrated and somewhat overshadowed by other labels, such was the amazing competition in the 70’s soul scene.
When I think of Philly Soul, I think of: I Can’t Give You Anything by Stylistics. It just doesn’t get any better I’m tellin ya! It’s all just SO good. It all disappeared though as the eighties rolled in…and it was terrible.
the word "arrangement" and 'legato" and more... WORDS OF REAL MUSICIANS... during a hip hop album, who says the world "arrangement" and "legato" ? NO BODY...
What a bullshit commentary....James Brown was " funk for the streets" and Philly international was for the elite"?....what one loves and identifies with musically has nothing to do with class. The " skin im in" makes me similar to others of my tone in appearence only...what moves me emotionally or what I find interesting has nothing to do with. me being " bougios" or poor ....no matter you social position...if James Brown don't make you move...youre dead. Whether you have on a bow tie or not.
That was fantastic R.I.P Bobby because of you The Philly Sound will live forever.
Sadly Bobby just passed away. Such a great talent and human being. God bless
All the singers on Philadelphia International Records were brilliant and the Musicians were the best in the world.
And let’s not forget Salsoul, another label similar to PIR. Joe Bataan was a singer and founder of the label at the time.
Yes, all the musicians from Philly were on there. Earl Young on the drums. The great Vince Montana was the writer, producer and playing the Vibes which he was known for. I’ve got all the Salsoul music as well as the Philly.
Bobby Is Quite The Historian ... I Can Listen To Him Like He's The Old Man The Bench...Wow I'm So Full
man this is like a philly sound history/ biography and geography where everyone was from especially the parts about Bobby Martin and the continental 4.and Norman Harris lesson all rolled into one Bobby Eli gets an A+ for this one
Bobby Eli - a legend unto himself - is an absolute aficianado regarding this epic era of Philly soul sounds. Than k you this wonderful interview.
Yes, thank you, more people should hear this. Tell your friends! And please subscribe so I can keep bringing out these important interviews from the masters!
Just as James jamerson played bass on most Motown hits... Ronnie Baker played bass on most Philly international hits. They both moved me to play bass. 💥
Your style of interviewing is PERFECT, not once did you interrupt B.Ely, but your unobstrusive way of asking very important questions, really shone.!!!
I could listen for hours and hours of this legend speak.
But thanks to you, i managed to get some historical facts, in line.
Thanks so much for this wonderful interview.!!!!
Thanks! That's exactly my philosophy of interviewing: ask the right questions, and the SHUT UP AND LET THEM SPEAK.
This is education! I love it...!
I swear, I listened back to this interview a couple of times. Great interviewer and Bobby really painted a picture for the audience.
Thanks! Subscribe and check out our other great interviews!
27:55 Incredible interview. I could listen to 3 more hours of this….
Thanks. Tel your friends and subscribe to not miss all the other great interviews! You'd enjoy Jerry Wexler@
@@DRRICHARDNILES I enjoyed the interview, i am so sorry there won't be an interview with the talented song writer, the late Linda Creed passed away 4/10/86 There is a live performance of her with the Spinners in 1974 doing then came you(audio only).Maybe you could ask around if there is a live performance and you could post. Thanks.
This is a truly incredible interview. Fascinating, totally engaging and highly informative. One of the best interviews of its kind- incisive and sharp with a whole bunch of facts one after the other! Its important to capture the memories of these iconic players who contributed so much to the magic of the Philly Sound while they're still with us so that future generations can share the knowledge.
SEE, THIS IS THE REASON WHY THERE NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL HBO DOCUMENTARY ON THE PHILLY SOUND! THE LEGENDS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL SOUND ARE LEAVING THIS EARTH! GIVE THEM THEIR TRIBUTE NOW WHILE THEY ARE STILL HERE SO THEY CAN TELL THEIR STORY!
This interview was such a pleasure to do, and is a valuable historical document. Most of the creators are gone.If someone would invest, I'd make the documentary immediately!
I agree with you 100%!!!!
I am sorry of his passing. I was personally introduced to him.
The sound of philly / motown / stax / solar/ they were all fantastic. Funk with a bow 🎀 👔, that sounds sophisticated. I can picture 📸 Barrack Obama bopping his head to phillys great music. This was an excellent informative enjoyable post. Fav chilly acts the ojays and the Jones girls.
Ironic how he talks about those that have passed on and playing with them again one day. Well RIP Bobby with the other greats.
Don Freeman here. I’m a songwriter keyboardist producer from Philadelphia. I got my start at Philly Groove Records doing sessions for Mary Holmes - I’ll Make It Up To You and I Need Your Loving which we cut live at Sigma Sound. Rhythm section, strings with Don Renaldo and the horns. We eventually got signed to Philadelphia International by Leon Huff who is one of my favourite pianist ever, he is a monster musician! I met Larry Washington who brought so much energy into the studio it was incredible! I was the MD/ keyboardist with Sister Sledge for a few years and moved to Los Angeles to play and write songs for Michael Jackson Jeffrey Osborne Bill Withers Chaka Khan David Sanborn Hugh Masekela George Duke etc great interview with Bobby ❤
Merci beaucoup 🕺
Just a very interesting interview with Bobby Eli, hearing how the Philly sound was manufactured by some very talented people. Just great music.
This interview is amazing. Talk about painting a picture of Philadelphia the producers singers arrangers song writers….. I mean amazing. It’s as if I am in each described era studio and Philadelphia neighborhood. History captured like no other. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
I played with bobby Eli and Herb Johnson and the Impacts five years! I was the drummer. Howard Little Rice.
Great Stuff from a VIP man in the Philly sound. Loved the stuff on Bell at the end.
Very informative, RIP Bobby Eli.
Bobby Eli was one of my mentors in the 1980's. We recorded many song demos in my home studio. We didn't drink or get high much. But invariably Bobby would ask, "You got any cookies or something?" Haha. Great times. I'm still sad I didn't catch up with him before he passed.
I really enjoyed doing this interview. How lucky you were to know him!
@@DRRICHARDNILES He was a treasure chest of Philly Sound stories.
Amazing interview......I'm exhausted!
Thank you for capturing the excellence of the history of the Philadelphia sound by presenting in this interview the master musician/historian Bobby Eli. Truly loved it. An inimitable, incomparable, sound that is still so utterly pleasing. I hope that you will interview someone who can tell us the background as to why PIR had such a vibrant but comparably short run given all of the dynamic musicians that worked that pleasing magic together so well making one think it would be ever lasting. What happened after a strong run throughout the 70s and even placing its stamp on the Disco era to where it appeared to ultimately flame out by maybe 1980?
Thank you for documenting this important piece of history.
Philly Love 215 Peace!
Brilliant interview the kind of clarity and details we love! i have subbed to your channel
BTW - Bobby Martin's first arrangement for G &H was Cowboys to Girls. Joe Renzetti did United and Together and is indeed credited as the arranger on the label of the singles. Joe went to Hollywood and won an Oscar for arranging the music for the Buddy Holly Story.
Great stuff, Thanks for the information, Bobby.
Very informative
Wow! Great interview! I never got to meet Bobby but got a chance to talk with him in a group discussion. I was a member of the Prime Cut band that was backing First Choice. Stan Watson hired me to play with them, i think because i was a Wes Montgomery fanatic which led to me becoming a Norma Harris fanatic, and they said I reminded them of Norman who was their producer. I can't describe the excitement when i got the chance to meet him. I enjoyed this so much.
Oh yeah! No mention of The Soul Survivors? Or did I miss it?
Great interview
this man has died. Bobby Eli (born Eli Tatarsky; March 2, 1946 - August 17, 2023) was an American musician, arranger, composer and record producer from Philadelphia. He was a founding member and lead guitarist of Philadelphia studio band MFSB.[1]
NO mention of this.. too bad.
This interview was done in 2003 when Bobby was very much alive, so there would be no mention of his death. His biography is mentioned clearly both in the video and in the description of the video clearly printed above.
no man, I mean IN THE NEWS.. he went without any announcements, like they do celebrities who have died this year, that sort of thing.. not you on youtube..
.. @@DRRICHARDNILES
Sorry to misunderstand you.I do this for music lovers and I am so happy that people like youwho care still exist!
And don’t forget, Bobby Eli was part of the Salsoul Orchestra. He had two different orchestras in the 1970’s, MFSB, and the Salsoul Orchestra, featuring another MFSB member, Vincent Montana Jr. who was part of the band.
This is amazing! Thank you so much!
I played with Bobby and Earl. Back in the day did a. B..SIDE FOR SWEET INSPIRATION CALLED MIGHTY JOE
By the way Richard…a proper musical interview needs to be done with Thom Bell…like a lot of guys from the past…they have been overlooked by the industry!Most of MFSB have passed on…get to the rest quick…! Bobby Eli actually wrote some classic ballads like ‘Love Won’t Let Me Wait’…Just Don’t Wanna be Lonely…Sideshow etc etc…if you can get him to talk about his own writing…that would be cool…nice one Richard!
I would LOVE to interview him. Any ideas of how to contact him? I'll look into it!
Man I agree. I’ve been looking for another one the past 2 years now
@@DRRICHARDNILES Bobby Eli or Russell Thompkins of the Stylistics should be able to put you in touch.
That was an amazing interview. What a guy! He gave everything. So many interesting stories from that era. This is priceless
Yes, I loved doing this interview. It was part of my project on arrangers in Pop and it's all transcribed in my book "The Invisible Artist" [available on Amazon]. Other arrangers featured include David Van DePitte, Arif Mardin, Bobby Martin, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Thom Bell, Nile Rodgers, and many more. You'll love it!
Thank you! Love his fuzz guitar in "Engine Number 9" by Wilson Pickett, never guitar soling like that to this day!
I sang at Bobby Eli’s memorial 10/10/23. He engineered my last cd. He was the best. The name of my cd is Anticipation! My name is Crystal Spivey- check it out! Song 🕊🎶
You do realize Gamble and Huff are misrepresented with the names under their picture? Anyway, met Bobby many years ago at a birthday party for a friend of mine, the late Keith Barrow, who Bobby was producing at that time. Nice guy.
Sorry about that. My channel is a 2 man operation, and I do my best. I hope you can subscribe and check out some of the other great interviews. Thanks for watching.
No problem. Just thought you'd want to know. Enjoyed the vid.
I do wish you would have gotten to the incredible songs Bobby wrote with Vinnie Barrette, but this interview was extremely engaging and informative.
Thanks. This was done in 2008. And for the time I had, Bobby gave me so much. I am so honored to have had the chance to talk with such a great story teller, filled with so much detail and heart. And proud that it's available for music lovers and scholars to hear. You'd really enjoy my book of interviews THE INVISIBLE ARTIST.
Reading The Invisible Artist, right now. Great resource.
Thanks! Tell the world!
RIP Bobby Eli.
Thank you so much Richard for this monumental incredible interview. I would love to stay in contact with you. Peace, Jamaaladeen Tacuma
The Ojays was my first concert without a chaperone. My girl was ecstatic and we looked the part. 💃🏾🕺🏾
I always felt that the sound of Philadelphia was underrated and somewhat overshadowed by other labels, such was the amazing competition in the 70’s soul scene.
When I think of Philly Soul, I think of: I Can’t Give You Anything by Stylistics. It just doesn’t get any better I’m tellin ya! It’s all just SO good. It all disappeared though as the eighties rolled in…and it was terrible.
Thanks
the word "arrangement" and 'legato" and more... WORDS OF REAL MUSICIANS... during a hip hop album, who says the world "arrangement" and "legato" ? NO BODY...
Rest In Peace Bobby Eli
Philadelphia International records was the real good "Disco"
Not only that, the second coming of PIR was Salsoul who was founded by singer Joe Bataan, both labels dominated the Philly sound.
@Musicradio77Network Yes
F……brilliant…far too short!
One of the best singer out of Philly is Terry Collins
Bobby worked with him on one of the greatest soul ballad “The show must go on” on Kwanza records
🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
The photo of Gamble and Huff, the names are switched.
You have the names of the men backwards. It's Kenny first then Leon on the left
👍🏿
What a bullshit commentary....James Brown was " funk for the streets" and Philly international was for the elite"?....what one loves and identifies with musically has nothing to do with class.
The " skin im in" makes me similar to others of my tone in appearence only...what moves me emotionally or what I find interesting has nothing to do with. me being " bougios" or poor ....no matter you social position...if James Brown don't make you move...youre dead.
Whether you have on a bow tie or not.