Soul pioneer The Stylistics plays Hard Rock Tampa this weekend

It’s hard to be at a Stylistics show, and not miss Russell Thompkins Jr.’s sweet lead vocals (he left the ‘60s-’70s soul group 22 years ago).

But if you close your eyes and do mental gymnastics this Sunday when the band plays Tampa’s Hard Rock Event Center, you’ll swear that the current lineup is just the original in disguise. Founding members Airrion Love and Herb Murrell are still keeping the soul group’s legacy alive.

Don’t expect to hear any new music from the Stylistics circa 2022, however, as there hasn’t been any from the guys in over a decade.

This article appears in May 5-11, 2022.