Phil Hurtt (Born April 12, 1952, Wilmington, Delaware) is a producer, singer and songwriter, who wrote several big hit songs during the 70’s for the The Sound of Philadelphia acts and others. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Hurtt’s family moved to Philadelphia, PA, when he was three years old. He began his musical career in the 1950’s when, as a pre-teen, he began singing at clubs and cabarets in the Philadelphia area. Phil’s fondest memories revolve around his frequent trips to Harlem to perform in the Gold Room at the Teresa Hotel. Many of the stars of the day were in attendance, including such renowned artists as Sam Cook, Little Willie John, the Cadillacs, the Chantels, Frankie Lymon and The Platters. Hurtt also performed at Sugar Ray Robinson’s club as well as other popular night spots in the city. In 1957, he recorded his first single “Frankenstein’s Party/L.O.V.E.”, for Deluxe Records, as a member of The Swinging Phillies, a doo-wop group fronted by Hurtt’s elder brother. Hurtt continued his career as a performer into the mid-1960s while developing his skill as a songwriter/producer. A talented singer, his vocal abilities made him one of the most sought after background vocalists in the industry. During this time, Hurtt also became an integral part of a group of highly regarded writers, producers, musicians and singers whose work is currently acknowledged by many in the music industry as ’The Sound of Philadelphia’. Some of the artists included in ’The Sound of Philadelphia’ phenomenon were: Thom Bell, Linda Creed, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Bunny Sigler, Bobby Eli, Vinnie Barrett, Carey (Hippie) Gilbert, Norman Harris, Bobby Martin, Earl Young, Ronnie Baker, Bruce Hawes, Charles Simmons, Joe Jefferson, Dexter Wansel, Richie Rome, Roland & Karl Chambers, Allan Felder, Ron Tyson, Sherman Marshall, Philip Pugh & Don Reynaldo. In the 1970s, Hurtt worked as an independent writer/producer with Philadelphia International Records, as well as a staff producer with Atlantic Records in New York City, New York. He wrote and/or produced songs for some of the top artists of the time including: The OJays, Sister Sledge, Joe Simon, the Chi-Lites, Eddie Kendricks, Jazz greats Stanley Turrentine, Willis Jackson and many more. A highlight of his career was penning The Spinners classic “I’ll Be Around”, co-written with Grammy award winning producer Thom Bell. The two have been close friends since growing up together in the same west Philly neighborhood. They also attended Dobbins Tech High School along with future writer/producer Bobby Eli (“Love Won’t Let Me Wait”). By 1976, Phil found himself in the middle of the” Disco” movement. He worked with Jacques Morali, who conceived the group known as the Village People. Hurtt wrote lyrics, arranged vocals and sang background for the original members. A major contributor to the blueprint for subsequent albums by the popular unit, Hurtt was involved in several Gold albums by them including “Village People”, “Live & Sleazy”, and the 1980 motion picture, “Can’t Stop the Music”. Hurtt worked with many other disco artists, including Grace Jones and The Ritchie Family. In 1978, he signed a recording contract with Berkeley, California’s Fantasy Records. Under that agreement, two albums were released: “Giving It Back” and “PH Factor”. These LPs reached the European charts, with the single “Giving it Back” breaking into the top 40. Today both albums are being bought and sold as collectors’ items by classic R&B and Dance enthusiasts around the globe. In 1977, Billboard magazine awarded Hurtt with five nominations for Disco Composer of the Year. Two of his albums were also nominated as Best Disco Album of the Year – “African Queens” by the Ritchie Family and The Village People’s self-titled debut LP, which contained the classics “San Francisco” and “Hollywood”. Hurtt wrote and did the vocal arrangements for all songs on both albums. Additional artists who have either recorded Hurtt’s material, or have been produced by him, include: Seal, Jeffrey Osborne and the Rippingtons, Eva, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Persuaders, Jean Carn, the Impressions, Jackie Moore, the Chi-Lites, Garland Green, Fareed Haque, the Checkmates, LTD, Regina Bell, Betty Swan, Percy Sledge, Vivian Reed, Rappin’ 4-Tay, the Impressions, Joan Osborne, and Hall & Oates. He also provided background vocals for the Salsoul Orchestra, Eddie Kendricks and many others. Phil resides in New Jersey with his wife. He is the father of five, and has four grandchildren.
Posted on: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 21:03:46 +0000
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