- Classically trained, he was house pianist at Philadelphia's Uptown Theatre and musical director for Chubby Checker in the mid-'60s.
- His songwriting partners have included William Hart (lead singer of The Delfonics), Linda Creed, Deniece Williams and his nephew, LeRoy Bell.
- 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.
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