Harold Melvin; ‘Philly Sound’ Music Leader

Harold Melvin, 57, leader of the Blue Notes who helped shape the “Philly Sound.” A Philadelphia native, Melvin spread the well-orchestrated musical genre as it was developing in the 1970s under Philadelphia International Records. Melvin was credited with molding a rough-voiced drummer named Teddy Pendergrass into a lead singer on such hits as “The Love I Lost” and “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.” Pendergrass left the group in the mid-1970s for a solo career but always respected Melvin as his coach. Among the Blue Notes’ other hits were “My Hero,” “Get Out” and “I Miss You.” Melvin garnered 10 gold records, the NAACP Image Award and a Grammy. On Monday in Philadelphia of complications from a stroke.