![]() Love, Murrell, and Thompkins continued to tour until 2000, when original lead Thompkins left. Johnson departed shortly afterward, leaving the group a trio. The group continued, recruiting new member Raymond Johnson, and releasing the album Some Things Never Change, in 1985. ![]() In 1980, James Dunn departed due to health problems, and James Smith left shortly thereafter. They left Avco for H&L Records and the Stylistics' popularity rapidly declined in the U.S., though their British popularity continued for the rest of the 1970s. They struggled hard to find producers who could come up with the right material, and partnerships with Hugo & Luigi and Van McCoy were notably less successful. Just as with The Delfonics, The Stylistics were to some extent a vehicle for Bell's own creativity. The group split with Thom Bell in 1974, and the split proved devastating commercially to the group's success in the USA. The Stylistics' smooth sound also found an easier path onto adult contemporary airwaves than other soul artists, and the group made Billboard magazine's Easy Listening singles chart twelve times from 1971 to 1976, with three entries, "Betcha By Golly, Wow," "You Make Me Feel Brand New," and "You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)" reaching the Top 10. hit, holding at #2 for two weeks in the spring of 1974, and was one of five U.S. "You Make Me Feel Brand New" was the group's biggest U.S. Their hits, distilled from three albums, from this period included "Betcha by Golly, Wow", "I'm Stone in Love with You", "You Make Me Feel Brand New" featuring a double lead with Love, "Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart" and "You Are Everything". The bittersweet lyrics from Creed were a key factor in creating hugely memorable music. Bell imported the sweet soul techniques he had perfected with The Delfonics, and his arrangements worked perfectly with Thompkins' falsetto. Signing to Avco Records, The Stylistics began working with producer Thom Bell, who had already produced a catalogue of hits for The Delfonics, and songwriter Linda Creed. hit in 1971 with "You're a Big Girl Now". ![]() Formed in 1968, they comprised lead Russell Thompkins, Jr., Herbie Murrell, Airrion Love, James Smith, and James Dunn. Bell imported the sweet soul techniques he had perfected with The Delfonics Read Full Bio The Stylistics were one of the most well-known Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. The Stylistics were one of the most well-known Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s.
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