The Stylistics

On 23 November 2026 at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, The Stylistics bring their Philadelphia soul harmonies back to the stage. Formed in 1968 from the Monarchs and the Percussions, the group forged a distinctive blend of orchestral soul, soft R&B and vocal pop. In the early 1970s, under the guidance of producer-arranger Thom Bell with lyrics by Linda Creed, they shaped an unmistakable sound led by Russell Thompkins Jr.’s falsetto, and signed a run of essentials: Stop, Look, Listen, You Are Everything, Betcha by Golly, Wow, People Make the World Go Round and You Make Me Feel Brand New, along with albums The Stylistics, Round 2, Rockin’ Roll Baby and Let’s Put It All Together.

After the Bell era, productions by Hugo & Luigi and arrangements from Van McCoy steered the music toward lighter, disco-tinged pop soul. The Stylistics have kept the flame live through changing line-ups. Today, the group centers on founding members Airrion Love and Herb Murrell, joined by Jason Sharp. On stage, they focus on close-knit harmonies and string-laced melodies, building a set around the early classics and later cuts, tracing the evolution of their sound across decades.