On this day in music history: October 14, 1972 - “I’ll Be Around” by The Spinners hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 5 weeks, also peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 on November 18, 1972. Written by Thom Bell and Phil Hurtt, it is the first chart topping single for the R&B vocal quintet from Detroit, MI. Best known for his work with groups including The Delfonics and The Stylistics, producer and arranger Thom Bell will add another group to his credits when he begins working with The Spinners after they are signed to Atlantic Records in early 1972. The group will record four sides with producer Jimmy Roach, but the tracks are shelved when Atlantic doesn’t hear any hits. Label VP Henry Allen will ask Thom Bell if he wants to work with The Spinners, and he will immediately agree. Fans of the group since their days on Motown, Bell will feel The Spinners hadn’t reached their full hitmaking potential while at the label, and will commit himself to making them a success. While coming up with song ideas for them, Bell’s regular songwriting partner, lyricist Linda Creed will be unavailable since she is prepared to get married at the time. Bell will call on Phil Hurtt, a staff songwriter at his publishing company Mighty Three Music to collaborate. Hurtt will come up with a melody and write the lyrics for “I’ll Be Around” by the next day. The track is recorded on June 14, 1972 at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia with members of MFSB, with the master take being cut in about forty minutes. The Spinners will quickly record their vocals (with Bobbie Smith on lead vocals), and it will be readied for release. When it is issued as a single in July of 1972, “I’ll Be Around” is regulated to the B-side of the ballad “How Could I Let You Get Away” (sung by Philippé Wynne). “How Could” will receive solid airplay from R&B stations, but will largely be ignored by top 40 pop stations. Bell will take it upon himself to visit radio stations and encourage them to flip the single and play “I’ll Be Around” instead. From there, the record will take off quickly, climbing the pop and R&B singles charts almost simultaneously. The breakthrough success of “I’ll Be Around” will give The Spinners the success that had largely eluded them while on Motown, and will mark the beginning of a long and highly successful collaboration with producer Thom Bell. “I’ll Be Around” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 23:18:49 +0000
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