In an interview with author John A Jackson for his 2004 book A House On Fire: The Rise And Fall of Philadelphia Soul, Thom Bell recalled an incident at his junior high school between teachers and his mother.

Bell said they were concerned that he was distracted because he heard music in his head all the time.

“My mother, being West Indian, told them, ‘If he says he’s hearing music, that’s what he’s hearing,’ ” Bell told Jackson.

The Kingston-born Bell, who helped define soul music from his hometown Philadelphia, died December 22 in Bellingham, Washington, at age 79.

He migrated to “Philly” at age three and later guided the careers of home-grown acts like The Delfonics and The Stylistics as composer, arranger, and producer.

With The Delfonics, Bell had hits such as La La Means I Love You, Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time), Ready or Not, Here I Come (covered by The Fugees), and Hey Love.

Bell produced The Stylistics’ biggest hits including You Are Everything, Betcha by Golly Wow, and Stop, Look, Listen to Your Heart, which he co-wrote with Linda Creed.

Bell also wrote and produced hit songs for The Spinners (Rubberband Man) and Ronnie Dyson. He produced the latter’s 1973 album One Man Band, which is eternally popular in Jamaica.

At Philadelphia International Records, Bell thrived alongside creative partners Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.

Both paid tribute to him.

“Tommy and I have been best friends for over 60 years,” said Gamble in a press statement. “When we first met we decided to start writing songs together and form a singing duo Kenny and Tommy and then our band The Romeos… He was a great talent and my dear friend. Rest in peace buddy.”

“Thom Bell was my favourite musician, arranger, songwriter, and music producer of all time,” wrote Huff. “It was my esteemed honour and pleasure to work with him creatively and as a business partner. Rest in peace.”

Thom Bell, who won a Grammy Award for producer of the year in 1975, is survived by his wife and six children.