MFSB

MFSB
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresR&B, soul, Philadelphia soul, disco, funk
Years active1971–1985
LabelsPhiladelphia International
Past membersBob Babbitt
Ronnie Baker
Thom Bell
Keith Benson
Karl Chambers
Roland Chambers
Charles Collins
Bobby Eli
John E. Davis
John H. Davis
Norman Farrington
Michael Foreman
Eddie Green
Dennis Harris
Norman Harris
Leon Huff
Anthony Jackson
Frederick Joiner
Quinton Joseph
Ron Kersey
Reggie Lucas
Vincent Montana Jr.
Lenny Pakula
Don Renaldo
T. J. Tindall
Dexter Wansel
Larry Washington
Winnie Wilford
Harold Ivory Williams
Jimmie Williams
Earl Young
Leon "Zach" Zachery

MFSB, officially standing for "Mother Father Sister Brother",[1] was a pool of more than 30 studio musicians based at Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studios.[2] They worked closely with the production team of Gamble and Huff and producer/arranger Thom Bell, and backed up Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the O'Jays, the Stylistics, the Spinners, Wilson Pickett, and Billy Paul.[2]

In 1972, MFSB began recording as a named act for the Philadelphia International label. "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)", also known as the Soul Train theme, was their second and most successful single. Released in March 1974, it peaked at number one on the US Billboard pop and R&B charts. "TSOP" was influential in establishing the disco sound.[2] The track sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in April 1974.[3]

  1. ^ Jackson, John A. (2004). A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 115. ISBN 0195149726. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Nite, Norm N. (1978). Rock On: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock N' Roll, 1964–1978. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell. p. 320. ISBN 0-690-01196-2.
  3. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 331. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.