Motown, an American record company, is known for its significant role in the racial integration of pop music. Motown, being an African-American owned label, achieved notable crossover success and helped to diminish the gap between different races and their music success. Of the many success stories that came from Motown, one of the most noteworthy groups is Gladys Knight and the Pips. In the 1960s, the Motown record label became one of the top and most influential recording businesses of the time. What is less known is that some of Motown’s biggest hits were arranged, produced and sometimes even recorded in Mercer County New Jersey by a musician named Tony Camillo.
Camillo is an American record producer, orchestrator and arranger. He has worked on many pop, soul, and disco recordings, but has found the most success working in the R&B genre. Some of his work includes recordings by Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and Grand Funk Railroad. In the early 1970’s Tony Camillo spent some time working in Detroit in Motown with the Holland-Dozier-Holland production team. In the late 70’s, Camillo co-owned a recording label, Venture Records, and continued to pursue his career in arrangement and production. One of Tony Camillo’s biggest successes, if not the premier events of his career, was his work with Gladys Knight and the Pips.
Gladys Knight and the Pips are one of the most well-respected and timeless soul groups, with top hits extending four decades. Comprised of siblings Gladys and “Bubba” Knight and their cousins Edward Patten and William Guest, this family’s talent started at a young age. Gladys began singing at the age of four, and soon the group of four began singing at church functions. After first recording with the Brunswick label in 1958, and making a few personnel changes, the group secured their best-known lineup, which cemented them a spot in Motown Records. Gladys Knight and the Pips first signed with Motown’s Soul in 1966 under the founder Berry Gordon who applauded Knight’s “class, artistry, and stage presence,” at her performance at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.
At the beginning of their tenure at Motown, Gladys Knight and the Pips rose to great success with their cover of “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” During their time with the record company, the group produced many hits, most prominently in the R&B genre. The success of the group helped to propel social changes in America. Racial discrimination was very evident in American society and the success and stories of African Americans promoted the closure of the gap between races.
After their run with Motown Records, Gladys Knight and the Pips decided to leave the label due to conflicts regarding what the future of the group would look like. The group signed with Buddha Records in late 1972 and began to veer away from their original blues-influenced sound. At Buddha Records, the group found immediate success with their hit “Midnight Train to Georgia,” arranged and produced by Tony Camillo. Gladys Knight turned to Camillo, who played a huge role in giving the song the Al Green feel that it has. The song consists of full tracks, including horns and keyboards. Tony Camillo is most notable for producing one of the, if not the, greatest hit for Gladys Knight and the Pips.
The group parted in 1989, but all still remained involved in the music industry. Additionally, some members got involved in the acing business, including Gladys Knight herself. Today, Tony Camillo still continues to arrange and produce in a self-owned and operated recording business. He has also produced his own album Bazuka, with the hit “Dynomite.”