The Sound of Philadelphia Timeline
Created by legacyrecordings on Jul 21, 2008
Last updated: 03/11/10 at 11:34 PM
Patti LaBelle's “Love, Need And Want You” becomes basis of Nelly and Kelly Rowland’s 2002 smash “Dilemma."
Reagan re-elected, calls for massive military spending; denies Iran-contra scandal.
The Cosby Show is America’s top-rated TV program.
Opening of Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Oprah Winfrey debuts her first talk show, AM Chicago.
Teddy Pendergrass paralyzed in auto accident.
Frankie Smith's "Double Dutch Bus" is million-selling 12-inch single for Philly’s WMOT.
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: first woman on U.S. Supreme Court.
Assassination attempts on Reagan and Pope John Paul II.
Ronald Reagan's "neo-con" revolution.
Radioactive meltdown at Three Mile Island nuclear plant outside Philly paints doomsday scenario.
Philly DJ Wendy Clark cuts “To The Beat, Y’All” as first female rapper Lady B.
“Rapper's Delight” by Sugar Hill Gang sells four million 12-inch singles for New Jersey's Sugar Hill Records.
The O'Jays' "Now That We Found Love" is disco-reggae triumph for Third World.
MFSB, the Trammps among artists on Saturday Night Fever, Grammy’s album of the year.
Teenaged Evelyn “Champagne” King grabs gold with sizzling "Shame."
Thom Bell produces six songs for Elton John at Sigma.
Tom Moulton remixes eight Philly dance landmarks on Philadelphia Classics.
Earl Young's drum break on “Let No Man Put Asunder" by First Choice lays foundation for Chicago’s “house” movement.
Unmistakably Lou wins Grammy for Lou Rawls.
Sylvester Stallone's Rocky runs up steps of Philly's Museum of Art.
Thelma Houston's Motown cover of “Don't Leave Me This Way” is No. 1 in U.S.; the Blue Notes' original is top 10 in UK.
The Manhattans' “Kiss And Say Goodbye” is second platinum single in sales history.
Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak build first Apple computer in California garage.
Double Exposure's "Ten Percent" ushers in 12-inch vinyl single, transforming music production, record retailing.
Saigon falls, unifying North and South Vietnam; Khmer Rouge rise to power in Cambodia.
Unemployment rate is 8.9%, highest since World War Two.
Earth, Wind & Fire scores soundtrack to That's The Way of The World.
Sony introduces Betamax, home video cassette recorder.
The Spinners' "Sadie," an instant Mother’s Day classic.
Thrilla in Manilla: Ali defeats Frazier.
Mighty Clouds of Joy are first gospel act to perform on Soul Train.
Thom Bell wins Producer of the Year, a new Grammy category, also named Billboard’s Producer of the Year for second straight year.
Rumble in the Jungle: Ali uses "rope-a-dope" to stop younger, stronger George Foreman.
Live from New York, it's Saturday Night.
Marketing black music to the mainstream as “the total experience in sound,” WBLS becomes top-rated station in New York.
Philly DJ David Todd named first major label dance a&r/promotion man.
Centerpiece of MFSB's Love is the Message is Grammy-winning “T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)."
Sigma sessions for David Bowie's Young Americans shine a light on backup singer Luther Vandross.
Nixon resigns.
Soul Train, Don Cornelius’ syndicated TV dance party, debuts “T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)” as theme song.
Bob Marley has Rastaman vibrations.
Reel life: Jimmy Cliff stars in reggae The Harder They Come.
Oil crisis sends pump prices soaring to 55 cents a gallon.
You sure love to ball: Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On.
Barry White's sumptuously orchestrated I’ve Got So Much To Give.
Peace accord in Paris ends U.S. combat in Vietnam.
Stevie Wonder releases Talking Book.
Isaac Hayes wins Oscar for “Theme From Shaft."
Curtis Mayfield is Superfly.
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