Cary Gilbert
Lyricist for Philadelphia International Records in the 1970s.
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Cary Gilbert, born March 20, 1942, and passing on February 15, 1993, was an American lyricist who made his mark at Philadelphia International Records during the 1970s. Teaming up with Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, Gilbert wrote the words for two songs that climbed to number one around the world: Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones" and Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way." Known widely by the nickname "Hippy," he grew up in Camden, New Jersey, and first connected with Gamble and Huff when they were part of the group Kenny Gamble & the Romeos. After working various jobs and getting married, Gilbert turned to songwriting full-time, crafting lyrics that became some of the decade's most memorable R&B and pop hits.
Background
Cary Gilbert, called "Hippy" by those who knew him, grew up in Camden, New Jersey, and became friends with Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff when the two were still playing in Kenny Gamble & the Romeos. Before he ever wrote a song, Gilbert held several jobs and got married. Then he shifted into songwriting with Gamble and Huff, and in 1972 he penned the lyrics for Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones," a hit that went to number one internationally. Three years later, Gilbert wrote the words for "Don't Leave Me This Way," which first appeared on Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' 1975 album Wake Up Everybody.
In 1976, Thelma Houston released her version, and it became another international number one; that recording earned a nomination for Best R&B Song at the 1978 Grammy Awards. The song got a second life in 1986 when British synth-pop duo The Communards covered it. Gilbert also co-wrote tracks for The O'Jays ("Livin' for the Weekend" and "Your Body's Here With Me (But Your Mind Is on the Other Side of Town)"), Archie Bell & the Drells ("Don't Let the Music Slip Away"), and the Philadelphia International All-Stars ("Let's Clean Up the Ghetto"). He died in February 1993 at age 50 from complications tied to diabetes.
Did You Know?
- Cary Gilbert's nickname was "Hippy."
- The Communards covered "Don't Leave Me This Way" in 1986, giving the song another wave of popularity.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Cary Gilbert (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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