Dexter Wansel died at the age of 75

Dexter Wansel, an important figure in Philadelphia soul music, died at the age of 75. His son Andrew Wansel announced his death, the cause of death was not disclosed.

Scraper SystemJune 02, 2026, 07:12 PM

Dexter Wansel, one of the influential figures of the Philadelphia soul scene, has passed away. The news of his death was announced by his son Andrew "Pop" Wansel, who is known in the music world for his production work. The cause of death was not disclosed. Dexter Gilman Wansel, who died at the age of 75, spent his childhood in Philadelphia. At a young age, he worked as an assistant in jobs at the city's Uptown Theater, then played music in local bands during his youth. After completing his military service, Wansel returned to Philadelphia and began to take an interest in modular synthesizers. While participating in various R&B groups in the city, he quickly became involved with Philadelphia International Records. Wansel became part of the legendary MFSB collective. Later, he was also affiliated with the label as an artist, in-house producer, and songwriter. Over time, he served as the leader and music director of MFSB. Throughout his career, he contributed to classic soul recordings of artists such as the Jacksons, Lou Rawls, Stylistics, Teddy Pendergrass, and Patti LaBelle in the fields of keyboard, songwriting, production, and arrangement. These contributions played an important role in shaping the 1970s Philadelphia soul sound. Wansel also released solo works. One of his first solo releases under the Philadelphia Instrumental label was the 1976 instrumental club track "Life On Mars." The artist continued to release music in the following years. His last album, The Story Of The Flight Crew To Mars, was released in 2021. Wansel's music has been re-circulated over the years through numerous samples. The drum intro of the 1976 track "Theme From The Planets" was used in Eric B & Rakim's "I Ain't No Joke," Dido's "Thank You," The Avalanches' "Frontier Psychiatrist," and many recordings by J. Cole. Dexter Wansel's son Andrew "Pop" Wansel also stands out as a well-known producer in the music world. He is recognized for his work with Nicki Minaj, Lizzo, and Kehlani.