R.I.P. - Bobby Eli (2 Mar 1946 - 17 Aug 2023)

Sadly, we have learned of yet another departure from this mortal coil. Philly multi-instrumentalist musician, arranger, composer and record producer Eli Tatarsky, better known as Bobby Eli, died yesterday aged 77. He was a founding member and lead guitarist of Philadelphia International's studio band MFSB.

His contribution to the Sound of Philadelphia cannot be understated as he has almost 1,000 credits for writing, arranging, producing and performing on Discogs (obviously many for the same recording) but has 282 writing credits on BMI. Coincidentally, he co-wrote "Zoom" with Len Barry for Fat Larry's Band whose latest single we posted only yesterday and mentioned their biggest selling song.

His career began in the early 60s as a writer and in the late 60s as a member of The Landslides along with Philly legends B-Y-H (Ron Baker, Earl Young and Norman Harris) on an early Gamble & Huff label Huff Puff in 1968. Produced by Gamble & Huff and arranged by Bobby Martin, it was one of the first sessions at the famed Sigma Sound Studio and was the embryo of what would later become Philadelphia International Records.

The label only released three singles, he played guitar, keys and sang BGVs on a the second by Ruth McFadden (no relation to Gene). Both sides of the third single by The Producers have been popular on the Northern Soul scene for decades with "Lady Lady Lady" being the instrumental of Dee Dee Sharp's "What Kind Of Lady" on Gamble (1968). The first two are dated Oct 1968, so would imagine that this was also which means it was released the month after Dee Dee Sharp's vocal. The vocals on "Love Is Amazing" are shared by Kenny Gamble and Miki Farrow.

He played guitar on The Ambassador's Soul Summit LP in 1969 and then on albums by Barbara Mason, The Intruders, The Sweet Inspirations, Wilson Pickett prior to playing on some now legendary early Philly Int. albums by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The O'Jays and Billy Paul.

His writing credits date back to 1963, some of the better known ones include Ronnie Dyson's "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" (which was later a big hit for Main Ingredient), "Love Town" (Booker Newberry III), "Love Won't Let Me Wait" and "Loving You Is Mellow" (Major Harris), Mr. Magic Man (Wilson Pickett), "Sideshow" and "Three Ring Circus" (Blue Magic) and "Zoom" (Fat Larry's Band).

In 1977 he released an album as Eli's Second Coming for Silver Blue Records.

On the production/arrangement side he worked on recordings by Major Harris, Blue Magic, Brenda & The Tabulations, Sister Sledge, Keith Barrow, The Joneses, Atlantic Starr, Jackie Moore, Ava Cherry, Jean Knight, Jean Carn amongst so many other, perhaps lesser known, artists.

As far as performing goes, the list of artists is endless, as well as being a member of MFSB,  who must have played on most of the Philly Int. recordings, he's played on recordings by Stylistics, Spinners, First Choice, Manhattans, Barbara Mason, Jimmy Ruffin, Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Temprees, Delfonics, Whispers, Blue Magic, Dionne Warwick, Major Harris, Revelation, Modulations, People's Choice, Salsoul Orchestra, Ritchie Family, Eddie Kendricks, Loleatta Holloway, Double Exposure, Trammps, Keith Barrow, Joneses, Eddie Holman, Dells, Chi-Lites, Gloria Gaynor, Jerry Butler. It would be fair to say he played on much of the material recorded in Philly.

We found a 46 minute interview with Bobby Eli (posted on YouTube only last year (Mar '22) but the interview was held in 2008) in which he explains the evolution of Philly Soul and his history. It's a 'must listen' if your are a lover of the Philly sound as he relays so much background information on many of the key players.

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