The Stylistics were formed in 1966. Two groups, the Monarchs and the Percussions, disbanded. James Dunn and Herbert Murrell--members of the Percussions--and Russell Thompkins, Airrion Love and James Smith of the Monarchs were persuaded to join forces by their high school English teacher. The Stylistics practiced and performed at local Philadelphia venues. In 1970, the group recorded the song "You're a Big Girl Now," which topped the local charts. Their manager at the time was Bill Perry. Perry lacked the funding and experience to promote the single on the national level. Still, the song was picked up by Avco Records, and the band was offered a contract under that label.
Avco records introduced the group to songwriter and producer Thomas Bell. Bell worked with the band to create their first album, which was self titled. By 1974, the group was ready to change record companies. It signed with H&L Records and learned that the record company wanted to change the Stylistics' sound. They were encouraged to soften the style of their music, resulting in songs such as "Can't Help Falling in Love."
The new sound of the Stylistics wasn't well received in the States but fared well in England. The group toured Europe for three years. By 1980, Dunn and Smith each left the group for health reasons. Lead singer Thompkins left the group in 2000 due to vocal strain. It was thought that the group's touring days were over. However, lifelong friends Love and Murrell weren't about to let that happen. Eban Brown, formerly of the Delfonics, was recruited to sing lead in the group, and Van Fields as tenor. The five-member quintet was now a quartet and ready for a comeback tour.
In 2004, the Stylistics were inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame. The group continued to tour and make new music well into the decade. Former lead singer Richard Thompkins Jr. formed a band called the New Stylistics and toured nationally..
During the 1970s, the Stylistics produced 12 chart-topping hits although they never reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts. They did have a No. 1 hit in the U.K. with "Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)" in 1975. They did chart No. 2. in the U.S. with songs such as "Betcha By Golly, Wow."