‘Sound of Philly’ duo to be inducted

If Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff hadn’t reached out their hands to introduce themselves in a Philadelphia elevator 45 years ago, the music world might have been denied one of its richest partnerships.

The production and songwriting team was the architect of the “sound of Philadelphia” and a rich vein of pop-soul hits in the 1970s. The two men are being inducted Monday into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, part of a class with Madonna, John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, the Ventures, the Dave Clark Five and Little Walter.

Their melodic, luxurious sound -- perfect for a world switching from mono to stereo -- was consistent no matter which artist they produced.

During a peak nine-month period in 1972-73, they sold more than 10 million records with Billy Paul’s “Me & Mrs. Jones,” the O’Jays’ “Backstabbers” and “Love Train,” Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” and the Intruders’ “I’ll Always Love My Mama.”