In The 1970s Stylistics

The amazing harmony of this group spurred several classic hits. Headed and formed in 1968 by Russell Thompson Jnr. The group all came from Philadelphia and began their 1970s invasion with a group consisting of Herbie Murrell, James Smith and James Dunn.

In 1971 the Stylistics had yet to cross the big pond to the UK, but in the U.S. they were already having hits like You're A Big Girl Now followed by Stop, Look Listen To Your Heart which was written by Thom Bell (previously with the Delfonics) and Linda Creed who died in 1986.


The record was a big hit for the Stylistics, but in the UK it was Diana Ross and Marvin Gay that scored the charts.

This was followed by You Are Everything, but again in the UK we had the Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross version. As good as it was, the Stylistics was a much superior version.
Lyrics to You Are Everything

1972 arrived and the UK had the first Top Twenty hit with Betcha By Golly Wow which got as high as number 13. The song was a million seller and deservedly too.
Lyrics to Betcha By Golly Wow

There was no stopping the group now as the next UK single to chart in the same year was I'm Stone In Love With You again written by Bell and Creed. Johnny Mathis also had a 1973 hit with the same song.
Lyrics to I'm Stone In Love With You  

The group were a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic, and 1973 gave them more Top Twenty hits  with Rockin Roll Baby and Break Up To Make Up.

But it would be 1974 that really put the Stylistics into the record books as they produced the amazing You Make Me Feel Brand New, which yet again was written by the talented duo Bell and Creed and came from the album Let's Put It All Together. It seemed everyone was singing You Make Me Feel Brand New, but it only got to No.2 in The UK and the U.S. The instrumental opening sounds like you are on the beach in the middle of summer.
Lyrics to You Make Me Feel Brand New

The next hit was the title track itself Lets Put It All Together. 

The arrival of 1975 and 76 gave another SIX Top Twenty hits with Star On A TV Show, Sing Baby Sing and the UK No.1 I cant Give You Anything (But My Love). Thom Bell produced the track, and written by George Weiss and Hugo & Luigi. Van Mcoy was the musical arranger, yes the Hustle himself.

The fourth it of the year was Funky Weekend.The fifth was Na Na is the Saddest Word.

Hit after hit after hit.The group was the main stay of 1970s Top of the Pops ,and their great 70s costumes and synchronized movement made them one of the most polished acts ever.

The last hit of 1976 was Sixteen Bars