On April 10, 1986, the music world lost one of its most gifted lyricists, Linda Creed. Though her life was tragically cut short at the age of 37, her words continue to resonate through some of the most beloved songs in soul and R&B history.
Born in Philadelphia in 1948, Creed had a passion for music from an early age. She honed her craft as a songwriter, eventually teaming up with producer Thom Bell to create a string of hits that defined the Philadelphia soul sound of the 1970s. Together, they penned classics for The Stylistics, including You Are Everything, Betcha by Golly, Wow, and You Make Me Feel Brand New—songs that captured raw emotion and timeless romance.
Despite her success, Creed faced a personal battle with breast cancer, diagnosed at just 26 years old. Even as she fought the disease, she continued to write, pouring her emotions into her lyrics. One of her most poignant creations was The Greatest Love of All, originally recorded by George Benson for the Muhammad Ali biopic The Greatest in 1977. The song’s powerful message of self-empowerment and resilience took on even greater significance when Whitney Houston recorded it in 1985, turning it into an anthem that would inspire generations.
Creed passed away just weeks before Houston’s version of The Greatest Love of All reached No. 1 on the charts. Her legacy, however, lives on—not only in the music she helped create but also in the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation, established in her honor to support breast cancer awareness and research.
Her lyrics continue to touch hearts, reminding us that music has the power to heal, uplift, and endure. Linda Creed may be gone, but her words will never fade.
KNCT 