Kenneth Gamble was born in Philadelphia and began his career in music at a very young age, as a singer, recording for various labels including Epic, Columbia, Artic, and Atlantic Records. He is an entrepreneur and innovator, as well as an accomplished songwriter and producer. He previously owned a record shop in Philadelphia, where he gained a great deal of his entrepreneurial experience. He was lead of a band (Kenny Gamble and the Rameos) and founder of Gamble Records, a record company that distributed its own records in the mid-60’s. The company became very successful with a young Philadelphia group known as the “Intruders.”
The success of Gamble Records laid the groundwork for several subsequent record companies that were founded by Mr. Gamble. The most successful and well-know being Philadelphia International Records, which he co-founded in 1971 and presently serves as Chairman of the Board. He is internationally renowned as a member of the triumvirate Gamble-Huff and Bell. He has assisted in the career development of artists such as Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, and The O’ Jays, MFSB, Shirley Jones, The Jones Girls, The Whitehead Brothers, and Billy Paul. In Addition, he was written and produced for Jerry Butler, Wilson Pickett, Nancy Wilson, Laura Nyro, and Dusty Springfield, Prior to establishing Philadelphia International Records.
Philadelphia International Records has been created as being a true pioneer in the development of Black music in America. Through Philadelphia International Records, Kenneth Gamble was able to convince CBS Records, the largest record company in America (at the time), of the true worth and profitability of Black Music. He was instrumental in instructing the sales and promotional department of CBS on various elements that were necessary to sell music, not only to Black people in the United States, but to expand and broaden the base. As a result, CBS was able to broaden the market and sell to all people. This paved way for Philadelphia Records to sell millions of records (as an associated label for the CBS Records Group, through a long-standing contractual relationship) that contained a sound that is the true heritage of Black people in America.
The sound that Mr. Gamble created, along with his partner, Mr. Leon A. Huff, became known as “The SOUND of PHILADELPHIA” – a sound heard and appreciated by the citizenry of the world. This sound created an identity for musicians and writers in the Philadelphia area and established Philadelphia as a regional center for the music industry.
Kenneth Gamble is past Chairman of the Broad and co-founder of the Black Music Association. The Black Music Association is an information center for people in and out the music industry, and is designed to preserve and perpetuate Black music throughout the world. The Black Music Association received total industry recognition and support, which is evidenced by the executive management of people in the industry that served on the various Boards and committees.
He is Chairman and founder of Clean Up The Ghetto, Inc., and a non-profit organization employing youth in cities throughout the nation. This project was designed to employ and educate inner-city youth during the summer months, its major objective is to instill, motivate and cultivate self-pride, and self-awareness in the minds of these young people. The response and participation from workers and contributors has been overwhelming. Mr. Gamble has always been one to physically and financially support pledged Philadelphia International Records to a large contribution for the solicited matching funds from his friends and colleagues. His belief in Clean Up The Ghetto led to a compilation album, entitled “Let’s Clean Up the Ghetto” (featuring the Philadelphia international All-Stars). The net proceeds of future community programs. The programs received proclamation from the Governors of Pennsylvania, Tennessee, California, New Jersey, New York, as well as from the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, proclaiming one week during the month of August, “Clean up the Ghetto Week.”
He is a partner in Mighty Three Music. Mighty Three Music was conceived in January, 1973, and was recognize by Billboard Magazine (one of the leading trade publications) as the number one soul/rhythm and blues music publisher, and the 8th most popular music publisher in the United States.
This company is currently embarking on solidifying international sub-publishing deals with major publishers abroad. As of recent, Mighty Three Music concluded a sub-publishing agreement with Carlin Music Corporation of England of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth of Nations. (Carlin Music Corporation is the number one most active publisher – and has held this position for the past 15 years in England).
Kenneth Gamble has received more than 175 gold and platinum records since the founding of Philadelphia International Records … exclusive of gold records for the production of artists not affiliated with the company. He was awarded the coveted Grammy Award in 1976. In 1989, Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff were presented with another Grammy Award for the best Rhythm & Blues Song on the Simply Red #1 smash single, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”. He has received numerous awards from the Philadelphia community and communities and organizations throughout the nation such as the NAACP Image Awards, the Urban Bankers Coalition Awards, the Urban League Image England Conservatory of Music Community Service Department Award, the key to the City of Tuskegee, Alabama (presented to him by the Mayor), and the Philadelphia Music Makers Award. He has been recognized by the media for outstanding contributions to the field of communication and music.
Mr. Gamble served as a participant, along with other top industry executives who were invited to the White House by President Jimmy Carter, to address the needs and concern of the music industry.
Kenneth Gamble envisions a place of thinking called “Universal Awareness,” A level where divisions such as racism do not exist. To this end, he organized “The Universal Community of Truth,” a group comprised of people from all over the globe. This project promises to be as successful and responsive as his other endeavors.
In December of 1980, Mr. Gamble was presented with the most prestigious award – The Humanitarian Award, by the AMC Caner Research Center & Hospital. This award is presented to recording industry executives, and it was the first time that the award was presented to a Black Individual.
During 1986, Kenneth Gamble, along with several dedicated, (Philadelphia-based), music industry colleagues, co-founded The Philadelphia Music Foundation, whose purpose is to honor and recognize the superb talents of Philadelphia-based musical individuals. To date, the organization has established a “Walk for Frame” on South Broad Street in Center City (Philadelphia), with bronze plaques inlaid in the sidewalk (covering a two block radius) in front of the Academy of Music and Schubert Theater (along the Avenue of the Arts). These plagues bear the names of noted individuals who have been inducted into the Philadelphia Music Foundation’s Walk of Fame.
In 1993, Kenneth Gamble, along with his partner, Leon A. Huff were inducted into the Philadelphia Music Foundation’s Walk of Frame. It was only befitting, to install their plaques in front of the framed Philadelphia International Records’ building.
Prestigious honors keep rolling in … on May 31, 1995, Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff were inducted into the 1995 National Academy of Songwriters Hall of Fame. On September 19th, Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff will be recognized for their lifelong contributions to dance music as producers during the 2005 Dance Music Hall of Fame Induction Awards Gals in New York City.
