Linda Diane Creed (December 6, 1948 – April 10, 1986), also known by her married name Linda Epstein, was an American songwriter, lyricist, background singer and record producer who teamed up with Thom Bell to produce some of the most successful Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s.
Linda Diane Creed was born on December 6, 1948, in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia to a Jewish family. Creed was active in music at Germantown High School. During her high school years, she fronted her own band, Raw Soul, which made frequent appearances at the Philadelphia Athletic Club and at Sid Booker's Highline Lounge.
After graduation, Creed left Philadelphia for New York, where she became a secretary at Mills Music, Inc. She also utilized the time to develop her skills as a lyricist, but after eight months of little success, and feeling defeated, she returned to her hometown, which later became the inspiration for the song "I'm Coming Home". Her career was launched in 1970 when singer Dusty Springfield recorded her song "Free Girl". That same year, Creed teamed with Bell, a staff writer, producer, and arranger at Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's record label Philadelphia International Records.
Their first songwriting collaboration, "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)", became a Top 40 pop hit for the Stylistics, beginning an extended collaboration that also yielded the group's most successful recordings, including "You Are Everything", "Betcha by Golly, Wow", "Break Up to Make Up", "People Make the World Go Round", "You Make Me Feel Brand New", and "I'm Stone in Love with You" (the latter with Thom's brother Tony). Creed and Bell also paired on a number of hits for the Spinners, including "Ghetto Child" and "The Rubberband Man".
Creed also provided background vocals, including on "I'll Be Around", "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love", "Mighty Love" and "One of a Kind (Love Affair)" by the Spinners and on the first three Stylistics' albums.
Though diagnosed with breast cancer at 26, Creed continued working, teaming with composer Michael Masser on the song "The Greatest Love of All". Creed wrote the lyrics in the midst of her struggle with cancer. They describe her feelings about coping with challenges one faces, being strong whether you succeed or fail, and passing that strength on to children to carry with them into their adult lives.
"The Greatest Love of All" was the main theme of The Greatest, a 1977 biopic of boxer Muhammad Ali. The song was originally recorded by George Benson and was released as a single in 1977, peaking at No. 2 on the R&B chart. In December 1984, "The Greatest Love of All" was recorded by Whitney Houston for her 1985 self-titled debut album; it topped the singles charts in May 1986.
Weeks before Houston's version reached number one, Creed died of breast cancer on April 10, 1986, at the age of 37. The following year, her family and friends established the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Organization in her honor. The organization serves women in Pennsylvania and the surrounding counties.
In 1992, Creed was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2026, Creed was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame through the musical excellence category.
This is a partial list of songs written or co-written by Linda Creed.
"The Greatest Love of All" – originally recorded in 1977 by George Benson; later covered by Whitney Houston.
"Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" – originally recorded by The Stylistics; also covered by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye.
"You Are Everything" – originally recorded by The Stylistics; later covered by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye.
"Betcha by Golly, Wow" – originally recorded by Connie Stevens as "Keep Growing Strong", later made famous by The Stylistics, later covered by Phyllis Hyman and Prince.
"People Make the World Go Round" – originally recorded by The Stylistics; later covered by Angela Bofill and Michael Jackson.
"I'm Stone in Love with You" – The Stylistics.
"Break Up to Make Up" – The Stylistics.
"Rockin' Roll Baby" – The Stylistics.