Suspicious Fire at Historic Sound of Philadelphia Offices was a top story in February. Here it is again as we recap 2010: Describing the burned-out remains of their historic "Sound of Philadelphia" offices as "total devastation," legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriter-producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff held a press conference to express their outrage and sorrow from seeing the iconic birthplace of Philly Soul Music ravaged by a fire termed "suspicious" by officials.Despite the extensive damage to the third-floor at 309 S. Broad St., where the Philadelphia International Records (PIR) offices and recording studio are located and the fire apparently originated, Gamble & Huff vow to rebuild their home of 40 years, a major tourist attraction where Michael Jackson, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, the O'Jays, Lou Rawls, Chubby Checker and dozens more created worldwide smash hits.
"Ain't no stoppin' us now," said the seminal R&B songwriting team, citing the title of the McFadden & Whitehead classic that was part of the Gamble-Huff/PIR music machine which generated over 100 Gold and Platinum records and over 70 #1 hits, including "Love Train" by the O'Jays, "Me & Mrs. Jones" (Billy Paul), "if You Don't" Me By Now" (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes) and "Enjoy Yourself" by the Jacksons. - more on this story
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