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Kenny Gamble (Finding Aid)
1943 -
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Food: His mother's meal (baked chicken, rice and gravy and stemmed cabbage)
Favorite Time of Year: Autumn
Favorite Vacation Spot: Jamaica
Interview Length: 138 minutes
Interview Date(s): September 7, 2002
Interview Location(s): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Abstract
Composer and songwriter Kenny Gamble shares what he knows about his family background and his childhood in South Philadelphia. Gamble ponders the legacy of slavery and the meaning of ancestry to African Americans, saying that many blacks have used their creativity to fill the holes in their ancestry. Gamble details the African American community in which he grew up, describing attempts by community leaders to stop gang hostility. Composer and songwriter Kenny Gamble further describes the neighborhood of his youth, South Philadelphia. Gamble recalls his creativity early in life, and explains how he was drawn to music. Gamble talks about some of the early groups he performed in, and names many talented musicians from South Philadelphia. Gamble also discusses the popularity of 'American Bandstand', and details the program's racial discrimination. Composer and songwriter Kenny Gamble discusses the beginning of his musical career. Gamble describes the various 'day jobs' he held prior to achieving success in the music business, including stints as a medical technician and a record store owner. Gamble talks about meeting Philadelphia icon Benny Krass, who helped Gamble start recording his songs in a professional studio. Gamble then describes his feelings about his first three radio hits, one of which became a Top 40 success. Composer and songwriter Kenny Gamble goes into great depth about the great success he has achieved during his career in music. Gamble discusses many of the major hit songs he wrote with collaborator Leon Huff, and names the inspirations behind the Philadelphia Sound. Gamble goes into detail about the positive messages he and Huff tried to communicate with their music, and explains how he has put these messages into practice with his community revitalization project, Universal Companies. Gamble also has discussions about the impact of FM radio on popular music and the impact of hip-hop. Composer and songwriter Kenny Gamble reflects on the problems facing the African American community and outlines his actions to deal with these problems. In the course of this discussion, Gamble names his major spiritual and creative influences, and ponders the nature of humanity and spirituality. Gamble says he always tried to connect a positive message to his music, and hopes that future generations will be inspired to effect change.
35 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)
- Slating of Kenny Gamble interview
- Kenny Gamble's favorites
- Kenny Gamble discusses his mother
- Kenny Gamble considers the significance of knowing one's family history
- Kenny Gamble describes his mother's background in segregated Montgomery, Alabama
- Kenny Gamble recounts his parents' meeting
- Kenny Gamble lists his siblings
- Kenny Gamble describes his childhood environs, South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Kenny Gamble recalls gangs in South Philadelphia and a mediation effort in the early 1950s
- Kenny Gamble recalls gang activity in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 1950s
- Kenny Gamble recalls church activities and entertainment during his childhood in South Philadelphia
- Kenny Gamble describes worsening crime in his childhood neighborhood, South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Kenny Gamble gives examples of his creativity during his childhood and youth
- Kenny Gamble evaluates his school performance
- Kenny Gamble remembers learning guitar from a local musician and trying to play his aunt's piano
- Kenny Gamble remembers his growing involvement with music as a teenager
- Kenny Gamble describes how 'American Bandstand' and white cover groups exploited black music and dance
- Kenny Gamble remembers talented musicians from South Philadelphia
- Kenny Gamble briefly shares his early thoughts on the record business
- Kenny Gamble recalls balancing music-making and side jobs
- Kenny Gamble recalls studying medical technology and finding the human body inspirational
- Kenny Gamble tells about the 'day jobs' he and other musicians worked
- Kenny Gamble recalls encountering discrimination while operating a record shop
- Kenny Gamble reflects on his first musical hits
- Kenny Gamble discusses developments in music and radio technology
- Kenny Gamble details Gamble and Huff's successful collaborations
- Kenny Gamble emphasizes the message in the music
- Kenny Gamble lauds hip-hop's musical contributions
- Kenny Gamble discusses his community revitalization project in South Philadelphia
- Kenny Gamble expresses his hopes and concerns for the black community
- Kenneth Gamble describes his sources of inspiration
- Kenneth Gamble shares his reflections on humanity and spirituality
- Kenneth Gamble talks about blacks in politics in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Kenneth Gamble discusses his plans for the future
- Kenneth Gamble considers his legacy