Jump to content
Soul Source
  •  

Tell Me About The Tempests

Posted

Tell me all there is to know about this group. Apart from the fact that the lead singer makes me want to come *eek*.

  • Replies 26
  • Views 3k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Most active in this topic

Posted Images

Featured Replies

Tell me all there is to know about this group. Apart from the fact that the lead singer makes me want to come *eek*.

All you need to know my little poppet is that the album "Would You Believe" is a must have, go out out and find a copy now yes.gif ,

Lenny

I've got it.. but I want some anorak info yes.gif

Well, good! Because it's true what they say about size irrespective of what we might say to your face lollipop.gif

Here's the sleeve notes from the album.

" Would You Believe" on Smash was number 41 in September 1967, and since the Smash label ended in 1969, they must have made to album within the next 2 years.

There's a single called "Count Down," recorded by 'The Tempests' on the Dominion Records from Salem, Virginia, 1962, might me one of their early outings?

Thanks for that Simon... do you have a soundclip of that song you mention?

Thanks for that Simon... do you have a soundclip of that song you mention?

No, sorry, but from the sleeve notes it seems a lead singer was added around 1962, but I don't know if it's the same one on the album, and so wouldn't hazard a guess as to if it was a 'soul' record.

It's the lead singer I'm most excited about... who was he? Has he sung with other groups? Still singing now?

In later years Mike Branch went on to be General Johnson's manager. yes.gif

... and the lead singer?

... and the lead singer?

Dunno maybe the General may know more. I left a message on his voicemail. yes.gif

Think The Lead singers name was Van Coble..he was the only black guy on the Piccy on the Back of their Lp...smashing Lp Too..Someday isa awesome song!!

Yes, Hazel Martin was the singer, went on to record a version of Out of my life on Marco.

John Branch, the founder member of the band later joined a talent agency called Insight Talent Agency in Charlotte NC, he also started Surfside records in 1979 with General Johnson...

General knew south-eastern audiences, especially Carolinians, had remained rabidly loyal to beach music over the years. He also knew Mike Branch, a Charlotte-based talent agent and former member of a band called The Tempests. They united to start Surfside Records in 1979. "We worked together for 18 years, until Mike died," says General."Never signed a piece of paper - we just shook hands. I'm loyal. If I'm with you, I'm with you". "It could have been that way with Holland-Dozier-Holland. Being around those guys was like going to college for me. If they'd treated me right, I'd have been with them for years." Had that happened, fans might never have heard "Down at the Beach Club", "Loverboy", "Carolina Girls", "Gone Fishin' " and a dozen other hitson this retrospective. The Chairmen, who re-united as Surfside's most promotable band, might not be playing some 200 dates a year on a circuit that all but worships them.

GGeneral knew south-eastern audiences, especially Carolinians, had remained rabidly loyal to beach music over the years. He also knew Mike Branch, a Charlotte-based talent agent and former member of a band called The Tempests. They united to start Surfside Records in 1979. "We worked together for 18 years, until Mike died," says General."Never signed a piece of paper - we just shook hands. I'm loyal. If I'm with you, I'm with you". "It could have been that way with Holland-Dozier-Holland. Being around those guys was like going to college for me. If they'd treated me right, I'd have been with them for years." Had that happened, fans might never have heard "Down at the Beach Club", "Loverboy", "Carolina Girls", "Gone Fishin' " and a dozen other hitson this retrospective. The Chairmen, who re-united as Surfside's most promotable band, might not be playing some 200 dates a year on a circuit that all but worships them.eneral knew south-eastern audiences, especially Carolinians, had remained rabidly loyal to beach music over the years. He also knew Mike Branch, a Charlotte-based talent agent and former member of a band called The Tempests. They united to start Surfside Records in 1979. "We worked together for 18 years, until Mike died," says General."Never signed a piece of paper - we just shook hands. I'm loyal. If I'm with you, I'm with you". "It could have been that way with Holland-Dozier-Holland. Being around those guys was like going to college for me. If they'd treated me right, I'd have been with them for years." Had that happened, fans might never have heard "Down at the Beach Club", "Loverboy", "Carolina Girls", "Gone Fishin' " and a dozen other hitson this retrospective. The Chairmen, who re-united as Surfside's most promotable band, might not be playing some 200 dates a year on a circuit that all but worships them.

John Branch, the founder member of the band later joined a talent agency called Insight Talent Agency in Charlotte NC, he also started Surfside records in 1979 with General Johnson..

Mike Branch wunnit mate? yes.gif

yep, seems there were 2 Branch's in the band - John who started it and Mike who went on to work with the General..

Fantastic Jim,great 45 mate,thanx for sharin mate.

Try googling Hazel Martin

Not keen on that take but his voice is still like chocolate :thumbsup:

Tempests original of "out of my life"....(battered but still there).... :thumbsup:

So how much does the single go for these days?

Been mentioned before (at least once by me!), maybe it was over on RSF?, The Temps, sorry Tempests also played the backing on the Appreiciations great Sport outing "It's Better To Cry" and a friend of mine was lucky enough to have been invited to a bar-b-que with 4 members of the Tempests while on a buying trip in the Carolinas a few years back, where they revealed the Detroit connection and sang "Someday" and a few others a capella :thumbsup:

Edited by Tony Smith

  • 7 months later...

post-983-1172048049_thumb.jpgpost-983-1172047992_thumb.jpg

Bought this last week so thanks for the info on the band.

Check vocalist credits Otis Adams on one side and Hazel Martin on other.

Edited by Felonious Munk

Get involved with Soul Source

Go to topic listing