Died On This Date (April 10, 1986) Linda Creed / Wrote Many Philly Soul Hits
themusicsover Linda Creed (aka Linda Epstein)
December 6, 1949 – April 10, 1986
Linda Creed was a successful songwriter best known for several chart-topping hits closely associated with the Philly Sound of the 1970s. Her break came in 1970 when Dusty Springfield recorded her “Free Girl.” Soon she was working alongside producer Thom Bell at Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philadelphia International Records. From that point on, Creed wrote or co-wrote a string of soul hits that included “Betcha By Golly Wow,” “You Are Everything,” “Stop Look Listen (To Your Heart)” and “The Rubber Band Man.” Her songs were recorded by the likes of the Stylistics, the Spinners, and Phyllis Hyman. Creed was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24 but still had the strength to co-write “The Greatest Love Of All” for the 1977 film, The Greatest.” In 1986, the song was turned into a massive hit when re-recorded by Whitney Houston. Linda Creed died of cancer on April 10, 1986.