Legendary songwriting and production team Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, widely renowned as the architects of the classic Philly soul sound, will be inducted into the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a presentation of the highly prestigious "Ahmet Ertegun Award." The Grammy-winning, multi-platinum selling duo are responsible for one of the most recognizable and influential catalogs of pop and soul music ever recorded: 70 #1 Pop and R&B singles, 175 RIAA Gold, Platinum and multi- platinum certifications, five Grammys including the Recording Academy's Trustees Award and more than 3,500 songs produced to date. The Gamble & Huff signature sound is internationally recognized as "The Sound of Philadelphia" with a Gamble & Huff song being played somewhere in the world every 13.5 minutes.
Comments Gamble & Huff: "We are extremely happy and appreciative of this honor. We have always wanted to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and wholeheartedly thank the foundation for this prestigious induction. We are especially excited about being the first inductees under the newly named Ahmet Ertegun Award. Moreover, the timing couldn't be better as we celebrate a 45-year creative vision that has impacted people and music all over the world including the music of Rock and Roll."
Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Daft Punk, Michael Buble, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Outkast and Bette Midler are just a few of the top artists who have sampled or covered the Gamble & Huff song catalog. Gamble & Huff's instantly recognizable tunes and influential lyrics are a favorite among advertising agencies, music production houses, commercials, motion pictures and television sitcoms. They also have one of the most sought after sought-after pop and soul catalogs in the world.
Their Philadelphia International Records label built a solid stable of talent including Patti LaBelle, The O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Archie Bell and the Drells, Billy Paul and the Three Degrees to name a few. PIR recordings reached the top of the charts from day one, at one point selling more than 10 million records in a nine- month period with hits such as Billy Paul's "Me & Mrs. Jones," a Grammy winning #1 Pop and R&B hit; Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me By Now," a popular track also covered by UK group Simply Red; The O'Jay's "Love Train" and "Backstabbers" among others.
An historic new agreement was announced last August in which the complete Philadelphia International Catalog of music has been licensed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment to be released through its Commercial Music Group and Legacy Recordings.
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