Sign Of the Times: Philly Sound Home Coming Down

Workers remove Sign

The iconic Philadelphia International Records sign outside of the Sound Of Philadelphia building was removed last week, marking the end of an era.  The label’s building, owned by legendary songwriters Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell, has been sold and will make way for a hotel and condominium project.

HipHop Wired reports Gamble, Huff and Bell bought the property in 1970, leading to some prosperous years for the label. The recording studios within the building have been used by a variety of R&B legends over the years, including the late Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle and Chubby Checker among others.

The building was the corporate offices for both Philadelphia International Records and Gamble-Huff Music. In 2010, an arson fire severely damaged the building and the group was never able to revive the structure.

Chuck Gamble, executive vice president for Philadelphia International Records and Gamble-Huff Music, says that artifacts within the building will be kept in storage for later consideration to be placed in museums.

“It’s bittersweet,” Gamble told CBS Local.  “Here’s an entity that my uncle and his partner created some fifty years ago.”

And he notes that the building had a rich music history.

“Chubby Checker recorded ‘The Twist’ here. My uncle’s first wife, Dee Dee Sharp, did the ‘Mashed Potato.’  The Jacksons recorded here, Elton John, many others.”