Soul And / Or Related Artists
the romeo's (philadelphia)

Kenny GambleThom Bell

Formed 1959, Philadelphia, U.S.A.

The group comprised of:

Kenny Gamble (b. 11th August 1943, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)

Thom Bell (b. 1941, Philadelphia, Pennslyvania, U.S.A.)

Roland Chambers (guitar) (b.1944, U.S.A. d. 8th May 2002, U.S.A.)

Karl Chambers (drums) (d. 24th February 2002, U.S.A.)

and

Winnie Walford (bass)

In 1959, Kenny Gamble joined forces with Thom Bell to set up a, Philadelphia based, version of the group The Romeo's.

Back in Detroit, another version of The Romeo's were performing, featuring Lamont Dozier and Leon Ware within the groups line up.

Kenny Gamble and Thom Bell had previously recorded under the name 'Kenny and Tommy', releasing a single entitled 'Someday'.

Roland Chambers, Karl Chambers and Winnie Walford soon joined the ranks to complete the line-up.

By 1964, they group moved to Cameo Records becoming staff singers and musicians.

They then relocated to the Artic Records label and undertook a name change, with Kenny Gamble fronting the group as Kenny and the Romeo's.

Here they recorded the songs 'Down By The Sea Shore' and 'Ain't It Baby'.

The Philadelphia Romeo's toured with Little Anthony and the Imperials before Thom Bell left to get married.

Kenny, later, joined forces with Leon Huff with the pair forming the Philadelphia International label.

Thom Bell joined forces with the late Linda Creed, writing many classic recordings for the Stylistics and Detroit Spinners amongst others.

Roland Chambers died on the 8th May 2002 of heart failure.

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