Philadelphia, PA

Although aided and abetted by the savvy producer Thom Bell, Philadelphia's smooth R&B group the Stylistics would not have garnered their hits and acclaim without their soaring harmonies and Russell Thompkins's distinctive falsetto. The ensemble had their first big hit in 1971 with "You Are Everything," and followed it up with a string of sweet, smooth soul classics, culminating in their biggest chart success, the 1974 ballad "You Make Me Feel Brand New." The group has existed in some form or another since then, but reached their creative peak in the '70s.