By phillysoulman (170.115.179.118 - 170.115.179.118) on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 05:31 pm:

It is sad to report the passing of Karl Chambers,
the drummer on many sixties and early seventies Philly sessions, before and during Earl Young's reign. He was the brother of guitarist Roland Chambers.He played on many classics such as: La La Means I Love You by the Delphonics and all pre- "Didn't I" sessions, Cowboys To girls, Love Is like a baseball game , United, Together, by the Intruders, Expressway to your heart by The Soul Survivors, Prove yourself a lady by James Bounty, At the top of the stairs by the Formations, Aint nothin but a house party by the Showstoppers,
The 81 by Candy and the kisses,Let the good time roll by Bunny Sigler,Love in them there hills , by The Vibrations, and the first MFSB/ Family records and early PIR sessions.
In 1968 he was asked to come to England to join a group called "Tomorrow", fronted by the fledgling Olivia Newton John, but it never came to fruition and Karl returned to Philly.
He will be truly missed.

B.E.

By Carl DixonLondon (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 06:00 pm:

That is very sad news indeed. I have many of these records and hold them in high esteem. This means I have been listening to him for almost 30 years now. After that posting on the forum recently about 'Cowboys to Girls' I played that track about 10 times to understand who was playing what and how. 'At the top of the Stairs' has been a favourite of mine since 1973. I am deeply,deeply saddened by this news. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.I feel privileged to have had him in my life in one way or another. He will not be forgotten

By Vinnie barrett (205.188.195.201 - 205.188.195.201) on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 08:02 pm:

I am deeply sad to learn of the passing of Karl Chambers. We were friends personally and musically. I adored his brother, Roland, who used to quote great poems and sonnets. They both played great music. Am I too late for the services?
Let the music live on.
God Bless the family.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 08:07 pm:

bobby
thanks for nice obituary.

so many wonderful records.

R.I.P. Karl

By recordboyusa (208.61.5.193 - 208.61.5.193) on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 04:54 am:

Sad news Bobby. Thanks for letting us know.

Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com

By Rich (162.33.235.226 - 162.33.235.226) on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 01:23 pm:

I was thinking I read somewhere that Karl & Kenny Gamble went waaaaay back, to the Romeos or even earlier and that was one of the reasons that Karl continued being used on Gamble - Huff sessions even though Earl Young pretty much had the drum chair at Sigma. But I'm not sure because the Romeos were a vocal group, unless Roland & Karl were the group's rhythm section.

R.I.P Karl

Happy Birythday B.E.

By phillysoulman (170.115.179.106 - 170.115.179.106) on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 05:13 pm:

Hi Rich,

The Romeo's were a self contained group with Kenny as the front man/ vocalist. They were Kenny, Karl on drums, and Roland Chambers on guitar,Thom Bell on electric piano and Win Wilford on bass. And they do go waaaaaay back to living around the corner from one another as kids.
For a while, they were Cameo- Parkway's rhythm section when they tried to get "soulful"