Philly Songwriter Posthumously Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Linda Creed was diagnosed with breast cancer at 26, and after a 10-year battle she succumbed to the illness at 37. But, the Philadelphia-born songwriter and singer’s impact on soul and R&B music has led to her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Creed is part of the organization’s 2026 class of inductees, specifically being posthumously given the Musical Excellence Award, which is reserved for people whose “originality and influence have had a dramatic impact on music.”

She and Thom Bell teamed up in the 1970s to write some of the biggest hits of the era, and helped shape the Philadelphia soul sound. The duo’s lyrics and production propelled Philly’s own Stylistics onto the Billboard charts, sending their debut, self-titled 1971 album to No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart.

Creed and Bell wrote all but one track on the album, with “Betcha by Golly, Wow” being the most successful, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. (That song was initially recorded by Connie Stevens as “Keep Growing Strong,” but it was the Stylistics’ version that gained commercial success.)

The first three Stylistics albums featured Creed on backing vocals, and were all recorded at Philadelphia’s Sigma Sound Studios. WXPN’s John Morrison named “People Make The World Go Round” from their debut album one of the most incredible songs recorded at the storied studio.

Other Creed-written songs were performed by Teddy Pendergrass, Phylis Hyman, and Johnny Mathis.

She also wrote the lyrics to “The Greatest Love of All,” recorded by George Benson in 1977 for the Muhammad Ali biopic, “The Greatest,” starring Ali himself.

On top of these original recordings earning accolades, many went on to be covered by even bigger names. Whitney Houston’s debut album featured a cover of “The Greatest Love of All,” and that version hit No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard’s Adult Contemporary charts. Houston’s take on the song is certified double platinum.

Other notable covers of songs Creed wrote include Michael Jackson’s version of “People Make The World Go Round,” the Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye cover of “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart),” Roberta Flack’s cover of “You Make Me Feel Brand New” from The Stylistics’ third album, and a version of “Betcha by Golly, Wow” by Prince.

Creed was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Nov. 14 in Los Angeles and will air on ABC and Disney+ in December.