Dexter Wansel, the keyboardist, songwriter, arranger, and producer whose work helped define the Sound of Philadelphia, has died at 75.
His son, producer Andrew Pop Wansel, announced the news in a social media post, saying his father died May 31 after a long illness. He said Wansel had battled health issues for 17 years.
Wansel became a key creative force at Philadelphia International Records, where his arrangements and production helped shape the sound of soul and R&B in the 1970s. His work appeared alongside music by Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, The Stylistics, and The Jones Girls.
