Bobby Eli
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Bobby Eli | |
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| Birth name | Eli Tatarsky |
| Born | March 2, 1946 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 17, 2023 (aged 77) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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Bobby Eli (born Eli Tatarsky; March 2, 1946 – August 17, 2023) was an American musician, arranger, composer and record producer from Philadelphia. He was a founding member and lead guitarist of Philadelphia studio band MFSB.[1]
Overview[edit]
Bobby Eli was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 2, 1946.[2] A multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter and arranger, Eli's contributions can be heard on recordings by many artists, including Teddy Pendergrass, The Jacksons, Chris Brown, David Bowie, Jay-Z, Hall and Oates, Patti LaBelle, Elton John, Phyllis Hyman, B.B. King, Billy Paul, Wilson Pickett, George Clinton, The Spinners, The Temptations, The Stylistics, The Trammps, Curtis Mayfield, The Sapphires and Shaggy. He was a regular session player for Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label in the 1970s.
His credits as a songwriter include million-selling singles, "Love Won't Let Me Wait", by Major Harris (#1 R&B, #5 pop, 1975), which he also produced and arranged; "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" by the Main Ingredient (#8 R&B, #10 pop, 1974); and Blue Magic's "Sideshow" (#1 R&B, #8 pop, 1974), as well as "Three Ring Circus" (#5 R&B, #36 pop, 1974) for the same group. He is credited with the success of Jackie Moore's #1 disco-dance classic, "This Time Baby" and co-wrote the song by Fat Larry's Band, "Zoom", which climbed to #2 in the UK Singles Chart in 1982.[3]
Eli also produced, arranged and performed on hit singles for Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, William "Poogie" Hart of The Delfonics, The Whispers, Regina Belle, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Dells, Isaac Hayes and Sister Sledge.[4] He produced two albums for Atlantic Starr,[5] and Rose Royce; and also Deniece Williams' Grammy-nominated album, Love Niecy Style in 2007.
Career[edit]
In 1980, Eli collaborated with Len Stark of Melron Records to record a tribute to the families of the Iran hostage crisis hostages. They recorded a single "American Message To The Hostages" which was released on Melron 5040 in 1980.[6][7][8]
In 2007, Eli helped to unite three of Philly's most successful lead singers, William Hart of The Delfonics, Ted Mills from Blue Magic, and Russell Thompkins, Jr. of the Stylistics. The project was billed as the "Legendary Tenors of Soul" and featured the three vocalists alternating leads on mostly soul standards. Eli recruited Hall & Oates to join the soul trio for an original track on the CD, All The Way From Philadelphia.[9]
In 2006, Eli opened his own recording facility, "The Grooveyard",[10] in the Philadelphia suburbs. He was producing his two new discoveries, a 16-year-old blue-eyed soul singer from Boston, Massachusetts, Dennis "Youngblood" Taylor and female singer, Debra Michaels.
In September 2008 he jointly co wrote (Dixon/Eli/Green), recorded at "The Grooveyard" studio and released with UK song writer/producer Carl Dixon two songs namely 'Soul Recession' by Philly harmony group Double Exposure and 'There I go falling in love again' by Chiquita Green. Chiquita also co wrote these songs with Eli and Dixon. Eli and some other original Salsoul/Philly/TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)/MFSB (Gamble and Huff) session musicians played on this session, including Earl Young, Dennis Harris, T.G. Conway, Jimmie Williams and Rikki Hicks. Jimmie Williams died in October 2016.
In 2016, Eli was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
Other projects[edit]
Eli launched his own label, Groove City Entertainment.
Recent[when?] projects written, produced and arranged by Bobby Eli include recordings with El Debarge, Stevie Wonder and Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was producing the new CD for funkmaster George Clinton. Eli has contributed as a guitarist, arranger, and member of MFSB to the "A Soulful Tale of Two Cities" album project, which joins artists from Motown and Philadelphia International Records.
Personal life and death[edit]
Eli met his future wife Vinnie in 1969.[11]
In 2017, Eli suffered a stroke.
Bobby Eli died in Philadelphia on August 17, 2023, at the age of 77. He was survived by Vinnie.[12]
Discography[edit]
Eli played electric guitar on three tracks on Benny Golson's album, Killer Joe (Columbia, 1977)
References[edit]
- ^ "A Soulful Tale Of Two Cities". Soulfultale.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "Bobby Eli". Soul Walking. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "FAT LARRY'S BAND". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Jackson, John A. (15 October 2004). A House on Fire : The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul: The Rise and Fall ... - John A. Jackson - Google Books. ISBN 9780195348804. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "Welcome rnbhaven.com - BlueHost.com". Rnbhaven.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ 45Cat - Melron - Label Discography
- ^ The International Teamster, Volumes 78-80 - Page xxx
- ^ The Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday, December 6, 1980 - Page 2 With song, he seeks air time
- ^ "Legendary 3 Tenors of Soul Revive with Style". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "The Grooveyard @ Studio E". Bobbyeli.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/music/bobby-eli-obituary-phuladelphia-international-records-mfsb-guitarist-tsop-blue-magic-20230820.html
- ^ Brodsky, Rachel (18 August 2023). "Bobby Eli, MFSB Guitarist & Architect Of Philly Soul, Has Died". Stereogum. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
External links[edit]
| Authority control databases: Artists |
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- 1946 births
- 2023 deaths
- American soul guitarists
- American male guitarists
- Record producers from Pennsylvania
- Songwriters from Pennsylvania
- Grammy Award winners
- Guitarists from Philadelphia
- 20th-century American guitarists
- 20th-century American male musicians
- American male songwriters
- MFSB members
- Salsoul Orchestra members