In 1966, “The Stylistics” was
formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by combining local high school rivel
singing groups, "The Percussions" and "The Monarchs". When
members from each of the groups answered the then United States draft call and
higher education endeavors after graduation, the remaining members under the
guidance of English teacher, Beverly Hamilton joined forces and officially
created the name “The Stylistics".
After working locally a few years
in Pennsylvania’s tri-state vicinity, the group was approached by Bill Perry, a
local record company executive. Bill approached the group and asked if they
would be interested in making a studio recording, and with no hesitation, they
jumped at his offer. Finally, the group’s ultimate dream had come true.
It is now 1970, and “You're a Big
Girl Now", penned by the group’s then guitarist Robert “Doc” Douglas and
Road Manager, Marty Bryant has taken place at “Virtue”, a local recording
studio in Philly. “The Stylistics” were finally on the road to their
much-deserved legendary success. The initial recording sessions cost Bill Perry
a little over $500 to produce, which soon after resulted a record release in
their hometown. Fortunately, before they knew it, the tune was picked-up in the
tri-state area becoming a #1 hit in Philly, and several other cities up and
down the east coast.
Bill’s next target was to promote
the record nationally. However, he did not have the proper resources needed to
make it happen, so he contacted “Avco Records,” and a successful deal was
signed. Rumor has it, Bill personally received over $10,000 from this
transaction. Nonetheless, the group never received a dime from this contract
signing.
After the success of the single
“You’re A Big Girl Now", Avco very aggressively set their sights on the
group’s first album launch. Philly’s veteran hit producer Tom Bell was
approached and hired to produce the group's first album simply entitled "The
Stylistics". From that album came the birth of the group’s classic showstoppers,
"Stop, Look, Listen to your Heart", "You Are Everything"
and "Betcha By Golly Wow". To say the least, the success of their
first album was phenomenal for that time, including an unheard total of six hit
singles. Music industry’s Grammy Award nominations were a reality.
Now with the group’s talent and
success engraved in stone, the ball rolled quickly with the release of their
second studio album entitled "Round Two," and now referred to as “the
Philly sound with sweet love songs.”
Fast forward several decades,
albums, cd releases, and group member changes, Herbert Murrell and second lead Airrion
Love, the remaining original members of “The Stylistics” have remained friends
since junior high school. They continue to travel the country and worldwide
sharing their group’s music legacy.
The group’s many honors include
the Philly Walk of Fame brass plaque embedded in cement on the Avenue of The
Arts street in historical downtown Philadelphia. They also appear in an exhibit
at the award-winning National Museum of African American History and Culture in
Washington, D.C.
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