Official Biography (courtesy of The Steals Brothers)
The Steals’ music career began at Cheney State University where Melvin met Eddie Holman, who wrote the hit song “Hey There Lonely Girl.” Eddie introduced them to the Philly music scene and got them into the studios. Upon graduating from Cheney the Steals brothers moved to Philly to work with producers Gamble and Huff and others behind the Philadelphia International soul sound. The Steals, sometimes credited as “Mystro and Lyric” worked as producers and percussionists with many of the Philly chart makers of the mid seventies such as First Choice, Gloria Gaynor and the Trammps. Melvin wrote the lyrics and pianist Mervin wrote the music. Seeing that they were struggling financially, the Steals Mother and their older Brother Thomas convinced them to return to Aliquippa. Melvin began his teaching career at Aliquippa Middle school where be later become the principal.
In 1969 they wrote the single “Gotta Find My Way Back Home” that sold 100,000 copies for the Jaggerz, whose first album was produced by Gamble and Huff.
While working for Atlantic Records in 1972, the Steals co-wrote “Could it Be I’m Falling in Love.” It was inspired by Adrena, who Melvin dated as a teenager and married. Recorded by the Spinners the song peaked at number one on the R&B chart and number four on the Billboard Pop Singles chart selling over one million copies. An all-time classic song, it has been used in three movies and has been covered by many artists over the years.
