By Doowopsvoice (198.81.26.231) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 01:29 am:

The highly prolific and musically profound former Producer of the Delfonics, Stylistics, n Spinners Thom Bell is hard to get in touch with. I've been told that he no longer lives in the Seattle area. I would like to interview him from a Doo Wop (Romeos) perspective, inquire about some of his music masters, and discuss his possibly getting involved in a recording project for the Doo Wop Hall of Fame. If you or someone you know can contact him, ask him to go to my music resume page at www.soulwalking.co.uk/Lonnie%20Cook.html and listen to what I did with "Payback is a dog". If he wishes he can e-mail me from there. There is a page there on him, also.

By Heikki (62.248.152.43) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 06:38 am:

Hi!
(this isn't an ad, this is an answer)
in the recent issue of Soul Express there's an in-depth interview with Thom Bell (including some on the Romeos, but mainly about his work with the Spinners, as it is an insert to the Spinners story, part 3 - altogether 13 pages) covering his work till the end of 1975.
The latter part of his career (1976-2003) will be featured in the # 3/2003 issue.
Best regards
Heikki
http://www.soulexpress.net

By Heikki (62.71.79.239) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 04:04 pm:

Hi Doowopsvoice, still!
I've answered you off-line.
One more thing about Thom and the Romeos. According to Thom, contrary to common belief he never recorded with them, but he did play with them for about two years.
Kenny & Tommy's single is the only recording Thom is singing or sharing lead on.
Best regards
Heikki

By Caleb (171.75.84.58) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 04:57 pm:

Hey Heikki,checked out that soulexpress site.Wanted to order the issue with Thom Bell on the cover.Looks like though you have to subscribe to 5 issues,just want to get that one.How do you go about this?

By Lonnie Cook (198.81.26.231) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 12:40 am:

Heikki,
Thanks again for the assistance, what will I have to do to get a copy of the complete interview for my files. I wrote a piece for an outfit in Atlanta called www.notontheradio.com (now defunct). I tried to emphasize the impact that doo wop has had on modern music. I'll send you the article later. Did you check out my resume page? Be interested in what you think. There are four songs there that I am singing on, three I wrote and I wrote and sang an improv over the 50 seconds of music (without vocals)that Thom Bell placed at the end of the Stylistics song "Payback is a dog".

www.soulwalking.co.uk/Lonnie%20Cook.html is where.

By heikki (62.248.252.8) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 01:03 am:

Hi Caleb!
You can order one copy as a back issue, but these days postal rates almost equal the price of a copy. Those rates practically ruin our business outside Europe.
Please email me to
heikki.suosalo@pp.inet.fi

Hi Lonnie!
I'll check your page a little later on and be in touch with you.

Best regards
Heikki

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.164) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 08:58 am:

Hi Heikki

First time I have seen your site, THOM BELL, what another true Talent just like OUR OWN BOBBI ELI! the article sounds superb on him and also The two back feautres on the Spinners 1 & 2 - will have to get around to a subscrption to me here in the UK.

How about a feature on OUR BOBBI ELI?

John

By Heikki (62.71.79.239) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 11:42 am:

John!
How did you guess? I've already interviewed Bobby, and the feature is coming out in our fall issue (# 3/2003)in conjunction with the Spinners story, part four. Now, how could I get Bobby to send me those pictures he's promised (smile) ?
Are you listening, Bobby?
Best regards
Heikki

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 11:52 am:

Heikki:
You have to be very, very nice to Bobby....
Seriously, if you check the Soulful Detroit archives, he did post photos of himself today.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Heikki (62.71.79.239) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 12:05 pm:

Hi Kevin!
Yes, I saw those photos, but as a rule on the internet the resolution of the pictures isn't high enough to be used in a printed paper.
Best regards
Heikki

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 05:04 pm:

This picture was taken at Thom Bell's 60th birthday party. Thanks to Bobby for sharing.
left to right: Thom, James Ingram, Bobby Eli.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 05:13 pm:

Dang...I still remember when Thom & James had these killer afros and Bobby had hair past his shoulders as well as a bushy beard!

How times change and we grow....

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By stephanie (64.63.221.239) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 08:30 pm:

DAMN!!! Excuse me Ralph a Stubass and Terrana Twin Angel doesnt usually talk like this but BOBBY ELI looks better without hair than he does with hair!!!! He is fine!!! Im not usually looking at bald guys although I think Lou Gossett is cute but Eli has it going on!!!! He reminds me of one of my uncles I had a crush on. Hmmmm OH OH STUBASS is watching!!!
LET THE SIDESHOW BEGIN CAUSE LOVE WONT LET ME WAIT......I better be a good angel because then Ill start singing the ladies part in Love Wont Let Me Wait and Ralph may have to ban me from the board!!!!
Dont worry Eli Im not a stalker Im miles away and dont drive so you dont have to worry......
A (girl who suddenly had a rush when she saw Mr Eli)STUBASS angel

By Eli (151.197.61.149) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 08:53 pm:

Hi Steph!!!
I am currently blushing as I read this.
You must be talking about my main man James Ingram!!
I do appreciate your gracious compliments and I will try not let my ego get the best of me.

By stephanie (64.63.221.239) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 09:00 pm:

I know who James Ingram is Im talking about YOU!!
You look like one of those businessmen that runs some clubs in Vegas or something like that!!!
Nope in this picture you are number one and Mr Bell is number two and Ingram is number three!!
I like his voice and my mom likes his looks but he never did much for me in the looks department that honor goes to Denzel Washington and Johhny Rivers.....and loooooove wont let me wait!!!!
The time is right to spend the night in wonderland
so move a little ...oh well back to reality..
Stephanie

By Caleb (171.75.80.168) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 09:01 pm:

Great picture!!You guys look great.

By Eli (151.197.61.149) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 09:15 pm:

Why I gotta look like some kinda mobster??
That honor goes to my main goomba Paulie 3 shoes!!
Actually, when you think about it, its not such a bad thing, capice???
I shaved my hair on a dare from a friend of mine and right then I decided "hair today, gone tomorrow"!!!!

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 11:59 am:

Eli:

Hey may man you look great!!! I can now put a face to the "voice" that has been informing and entertaining us on this Forum.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 12:36 pm:

Yo, Bobby:
Looks like you have yourself a little fan club here, amigo!
By the way - I dig your suit! Who's your tailor because a big guy like me needs vines like yours!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Vonnie (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 06:51 pm:

Eli, I agree with Steph. You look great, and I am one of your biggest fans. I realize that I am a STUBASS ANGEL, but my wings have a great span, and you are covered.

Vonnie

By stephanie (64.63.221.145) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 07:14 pm:

Hey Vonnie
I didnt know about you and the great Eli I hope I didnt step on any territory but he does look good!!! Vonnie I didnt know you were a STUBASS angel thats good to hear!!! We can sing in the choir together. By the way my mother was crazy (and still is about James Ingram) he has a great voice but he has nothing on Eli in the looks department. I hope to meet you next year when Im fully recovered and walking normally again at a Soulful Detroit event or anything like that. I wish there was someway we could take the trash off of the radio and put these guys back on. I listen to some Country and Western every now and then and THIS stuff is hitting the top twenty on the Billboard charts because it sounds so good..
I like Brad Paisely and Toby Keith and Shania Twain..when it comes to the old country I like Glen Campbell, and Bobby Goldsboro and Barbara Mandrell.....I wonder if there are any country artists that will hit the RandB charts soon?
Stephanie
A (downhome) STUBASS angel

By Eli (141.151.94.253) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 08:29 pm:

Hey Kev....I got the vine from Lord and Taylor...
The Lord only knows what tailor made that vine!!!

By Caleb (171.75.84.86) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 08:31 pm:

Bobby,what's the latest with T.Bell.Have you talked with him lately?

By Eli (141.151.94.253) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 08:35 pm:

Hi Caleb,

I did speak with Thom several times since his party and he is in the midst of mulling over some new projects including a new James Ingram album.
I will keep the forum posted regarding and new developments.
Any Thom Bell session will be a joy to look forward to.

By Caleb (171.75.84.86) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 08:47 pm:

Thank you for that news Bobby,that's great.

By doowopsvoice (198.81.26.170) on Thursday, July 03, 2003 - 03:12 pm:

Bobby Eli
I am posting this because I sent you an e-mail that I never got a response to. There is always a chance that you never saw it or did not get it. It was from doowopsvoice about contacting Thom Bell. Did you get it? My e-mail is live on the forum.

By Lonnie Cook (198.81.26.170) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 04:19 pm:

To answer the question that was originally posed, Thom Bell moved from the Northwest to Hawaii and back to the Northwest. Could be we will finally hookup.

By SoulJones (62.253.64.6) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 07:18 pm:

Bobby,

Get Thom in the studio, with William Hart & the rest of the Delfonics. Ask them to record 'God Only Knows' with strings/sitars and the whole thang and send it to me in the UK.

I'll release it.

Respect

SoulJones

By Lonnie Cook (198.81.26.170) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 04:11 pm:

SoulJones
Is that the Beach Boys's "God only knows"??? Do you run your own record co?

By Lonnie Cook (198.81.26.170) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 02:20 pm:

Now I really would like to talk to Thom Bell and get him to affirm the answer to the question posed in the Phillipe/Philippe'/ thread. To comment on my observation of "One of a kind", too.

By Lonnie Cook (198.81.26.170) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 03:33 pm:

Eli,
Another ? I asked but got no answer to was do you know if Thom got his middle name from my all time best cowboy star, Randolph Scott.

By Eli (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 07:09 pm:

Dont know that one Lonnie!

By Lonnie Cook (198.81.26.170) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 09:52 am:

Eli
You do know the cowboy?

By SoulJones (62.252.69.145) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 04:46 pm:

Lonnie,

Yes the beach boys song. The beginning has always kind of reminded me of Didn't I Blow Your Mind meets Spector. And whilst I love the original I would like to hear a fresh version with Thom's vision and arrangements - and the Delfonics adding sweet ethereal soul.

With regards to my label and publishing co., not yet but watch this space.

SoulJones

By Lonnie Cook (198.81.26.170) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 10:59 pm:

SoulJones
When you get cranked up would you be interested in a different treatment of "Break your promise" and "La la means I love you"? Among the aborted deals I have been involved in was a Nigerian that I was to produce and I thought that the only way I could really help him (no talent) was to give him some music that held the spotlight despite his lack. The two arrangements are Bellish but Spinners oriented rather than Delfonics.

You know where to find me.