Hi. Today on my radio show I interviewed James Conley, lead singer of the Compliments. James is from the South Side of Chicago and started singing in local groups when he was in high school. Soon after leaving school he formed a group called the Junior Flames; the group performed in local talent shows but never recorded. In 1964 Conley met local producer and record label owner George Redman. George cut a single -- I'll give you true love / If it's love -- on James for his Moneytown records. Conley performed for a year as a solo singer on reviews set up by Redman.
From 1965-1967, Conley sang with a local group the Notations (which predated the Twinight group). After the Notations broke up, Conley formed a group called the Compliments. The Compliments performed local shows and were managed by Marcellous Burke, the uncle of the Five Stairsteps who managed many other local groups (such as the Roe-o-tation, Kaldirons, Vashonettes, etc.). Burke took the Compliments to Johnny Pate, who signed the group to ABC records. The group cut two tracks for ABC -- Beware Beware and Borrow Till Morning -- two nice Chicago sounding cuts. Unfortunately, the Chicago branch of ABC closed before the single was released. ABC gave the group the option of buying their masters. The group bought the rights to their recordings and took the masters to Universal Distributors where they met the Leaner Brothers, who were interested in releasing the record. The Leaners pressed the two tracks on their Midas record label; however, the label soon folded and the record was never distributed. The Compliments tried to promote the record given the few copies they receieved, even appearing on the local Chicago Soul Train on Channel 26. The group soon broke up due to their lack of success.
Throughout the 70s and early 80s Conley performed in local clubs in Chicago, often backed by the Sonics Band. In 1983 Conley released a record a disco single, titled "Limelight", for his own Firefly label. Conley continued to perform in local clubs through the 80s.
Hi. Today on my radio show I interviewed James Conley, lead singer of the Compliments. James is from the South Side of Chicago and started singing in local groups when he was in high school. Soon after leaving school he formed a group called the Junior Flames; the group performed in local talent shows but never recorded. In 1964 Conley met local producer and record label owner George Redman. George cut a single -- I'll give you true love / If it's love -- on James for his Moneytown records. Conley performed for a year as a solo singer on reviews set up by Redman.
From 1965-1967, Conley sang with a local group the Notations (which predated the Twinight group). After the Notations broke up, Conley formed a group called the Compliments. The Compliments performed local shows and were managed by Marcellous Burke, the uncle of the Five Stairsteps who managed many other local groups (such as the Roe-o-tation, Kaldirons, Vashonettes, etc.). Burke took the Compliments to Johnny Pate, who signed the group to ABC records. The group cut two tracks for ABC -- Beware Beware and Borrow Till Morning -- two nice Chicago sounding cuts. Unfortunately, the Chicago branch of ABC closed before the single was released. ABC gave the group the option of buying their masters. The group bought the rights to their recordings and took the masters to Universal Distributors where they met the Leaner Brothers, who were interested in releasing the record. The Leaners pressed the two tracks on their Midas record label; however, the label soon folded and the record was never distributed. The Compliments tried to promote the record given the few copies they receieved, even appearing on the local Chicago Soul Train on Channel 26. The group soon broke up due to their lack of success.
Throughout the 70s and early 80s Conley performed in local clubs in Chicago, often backed by the Sonics Band. In 1983 Conley released a record a disco single, titled "Limelight", for his own Firefly label. Conley continued to perform in local clubs through the 80s.
You can listen to my interview at the bottom of:
https://www.sittinginthepark.com/interviews.html
I also did a music show. You can listen at:
https://www.sittinginthepark.com/3-15-2009.mp3
Playlist follows. As a side note, the phones blew up after I played the
record by Tracey Lavett -- clearly it would have been a hit in Chicago had
it been released here as it has a very Chicago sound. You can also hear
previous shows at: https://www.sittinginthepark.com/shows.htm
Intensions - Love is blind - Moneytown
Jimmy Hayes - As the city sleeps - Commerce
Jeff Dale - Our love will go stronger - Atco
Tracey Lavett - In my great big lonely room - Achillean
Eddie Jefferson - Uh oh (I'm in love again) - Stax
Kings Go Forth - High on your love - Mr. C
Energies - How many tears - Cobra
Benitez and Nebula - I'm so sad - Vaya
Preparations - You don't want me - Jarda
Maxwells - Let's get away - Brigade
Color Us People Band - A day without your love - Lightning
Cold Fire Inc. - I'm gonna love you anyway - Lightin'
Expos - Your best friend and me - Stall
Kenni Woods - That guy is mine - Phillips
thanks,
Bob