He and childhood friend Kenny Gamble recorded an unsuccessful record
in 1959.
He was one-third of the publishing company Mighty Three Music along
with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
His brother Tony was a guitarist and arranger.
Has a twin sister named Barbara.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, his parents moved the family to Philadelphia
when Thom was three years old.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.
As of September 2001 he retired, occasionally working on musical projects that interested him.
Inducted into Musician Hall of Fame and Museum in 2016.
Parents are: Leroy Bell and Anna Burke Bell.
Survived by his wife, Vanessa, four sons, Troy, Mark, Royal, Christopher, two daughters: Tia and Cybell. one sister, Barbara, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.