Roburt

A lady who came to prominence after a 10 day stint at the club ........

An earlier relaunch of the club (in 1971) .....

Chris Columbo / Christopher Columbus also did some touring & made other recordings. In the mid 50's, after he was in Bill Doggett's band (their drummer), he went out on his own & started a group. It was only natural that Doggett's record label (King) would also sign up 'Chris' (real name: Joseph Morris). So a 45 came out on King -- "Oh Yeah" credited to Chris Columbo & His Swinging Gentlemen. Members of Chris' group included Gil Askey and keyboard player Johhny 'Hammond' Smith. When Johnny Smith quit, Chris hired a replacement organ player, Earl Van Dyke !!!

An old card from the club + an early shot of the house band ................. (then called Christopher Columbus & His Swing Crew) PLUS a copy of the 45 made by Chris Columbus & the Swingin' Gaites.

The club was relaunched around 1979, but its 'new' life was to be short .........

More info on a bad night at the club ............

A few shots outside & inside the club .......

Just about the most famous black nightclub in Atlantic City was the Club Harlem. The house band at the club was run for many years by a guy who took a few similar stage names ...... ...... all of these being derivations of Chris(topher) Columbus (Columbo). Anyway, first an introduction to the club ..........

CONNECTED THREAD .......... .... I'm just about to post a thread up about the main musician who ran the house band at Atlantic City's Club Harlem for many years. ....... The guy took several connected stage names ........... Christopher Columbus & His Swing Crew (early 50's) Chris Columbo & The Swinging Gentlemen (Late 50's / early 60's) ........... AND I DO BELIEVE .... in 1970 ........ Chris Columbus & the Swinging Gates !!!! He of "Tighten Up 70" on a private label 45. ^^^^ a current Soul Sam play ^^^^^

A personal message from Dee Dee's sister .......

Two new 45 releases out of Houston ............

Anthony Gourdine resigns with UA ......

Bits from April 69 ........

Don't suppose Ace have access to the 'outside productions' cut at Fame Studios ??

Perhaps Jack Ashford did the deal & never told Lorraine about it. I doubt the French label would have paid much (any?) upfront advance on royalties. Maybe Jack thought that just getting his records released in Europe at no cost to him was sufficient & any royalty money from actual sales that might come along later, just 'icing on the cake'.

Back around 1970, the 'prog rock' crowd (who had moved on from being soulies) used to refer to the old crowd as ..... Tamla Toytowners. It wasn't meant as a compliment !!!

In the summer (when the cities were hot & steamy), folks would escape to the coast to enjoy a more temperate climate. It wasn't just Carrs Beach (& Sparrows Beach) that people from Baltimore, DC, Philly & New York would head for .......... Atlantic City was also a very popular destination back in the 60's

Dean, how can we be sure to snag a box ? Can they be bought direct from Ace mail order ????

We can Pick Hits .........

........ WANTED ..... ...USED RECORDS .. ... Sam Goody went on to become a big retail record discount chain on East Coast.

A new label back in the summer of 1961. The Elgins were of course to become the Pirates on Mel-O-Dy but perhaps we know them best as ........ the Temptations

Lorraine, its great that via the UK NS scene you can be re-acquainted with some of your old work ... & that you realise how good it was & how loved the old tracks still are. Your detailed knowledge of what went down over 40 years ago is astounding (so we KNOW you turned up to the office every day in 'full working order'). You are also a truly lovely lady as I can personally attest from meeting you on both of the occasions that you performed at Prestatyn. MORE POWER TO YOU.

Can't find much out about Donald Butler or his record label. The guy who arranged the track Vic cut for DonBut was Hershel McGinnis. There was a Hershel McGinnis who was director of the Nth Carolina Central Univ Marching Band back in the late 50's. I guess he's the same guy who went on to work with Vic.

Typical shows held at Baltimore's Royal Theatre back in the day .............

And here's a copy of the rare US original 45 ...... Tracks cut during the same period as the group's Reprise releases.