The Stylistics

Beloved for their tender, impassioned ballads, Philly soul greats The Stylistics amassed 12 consecutive Top 10 R&B hits during their heyday in the early ’70s. • The Stylistics formed in 1968 from the ashes of two Philadelphia groups: The Monarchs (Russell Thompkins Jr., James Smith, and Airrion Love) and The Percussions (James Dunn and Herb Murrell). • In 1970, the group signed with Avco Records and began working with producer Thom Bell, an architect of the distinctive Philadelphia soul sound. • Their 1971 self-titled debut album yielded five Top 10 R&B hits. Two of them, “You Are Everything” and “Betcha by Golly, Wow,” became Top 10 pop hits, with the latter reaching No. 3. • The Stylistics reached a career-best No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 with 1974’s “You Make Me Feel Brand New.” • In 1974, The Stylistics began working with producer Van McCoy, who transformed the group’s sound from soul to easy listening. • The group’s US popularity subsequently dipped, but 1975’s Thank You Baby achieved success in the UK, peaking at No. 5 and spawning a No. 1 single: “Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love).” • In 1980, James Dunn and James Smith left the group. Airrion Love, Herb Murrell, and Thompkins Jr. (the lead vocalist) continued to tour until 2000, when Thompkins, Jr. left the group due to vocal problems. He was later replaced with Eban Brown. • In 2004, Thompkins Jr. formed The New Stylistics with James Ranton, Jonathan Buckson, and former member Raymond Johnson. They remain a touring entity.