Fire Damages Gamble and Huff's Studio

More than 100 firefighters helped battle a two-alarm blaze at Philadelphia International Records on South Broad Street Sunday morning.

The fire caused extensive damage to the legendary studio where Chubby Checker recorded "The Twist" and where Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff pioneered Philly soul, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

No cause has been determined, but investigators from the Fire Marshal's office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were on the scene and conducting interviews with witnesses.

One man was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

As the creative team for the Philadelphia International record label, Gamble and Huff wrote and produced more than 170 gold and platinum records.

They worked with a host of celebrated recording artists, including the O'Jays, Billy Paul, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, Jerry Butler, Archie Bell & the Drells, the Intruders and Patti LaBelle.

"Thank God we have a majority of our master recordings hidden in another location but still the history is here," Chuck Gamble the Executive Vice President said.

"It's just a sad day for even Gamble and Huff for all the work they put into this building."

It's been a tough new year for the sound of Philadelphia. Pendergrass -- a Philly soul success as a solo artist and with the Blue Notes -- died in January.
 

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