David Meikle

Here’s to another year of listening pleasure. Merry Christmas to the forum and to those who gave us the music.

It must have been amazing to have played a part in the incredible Motown story. Bertha thank you for the part you played in bringing the Velvelettes together. RIP Bertha

A real hero of the Northern Soul scene. JJ could have bragged about becoming a Motown artist but his first love was always Mickays, Ric-Tic, Gooovesville and Revilot. Motown recorded him but that material stayed in the can for many years until it was saved by the Northern Soul scene. This one is from Revilot 222 and was first recorded by Darrell Banks. JJ was right up there with the best. RIP.

Northern Soul makes you happy. Thanks for video link.

Robert was still living in that house when I visited him there in 2001 and 2005. He was a gentleman as this photo clearly shows. September 2001.

Thanks for a wonderful catalogue of Soul Music. RIP Jim

The house was owned by Robert Bateman. The “b” in Hib represents his surname.

I found this image on a Detroit Riots video. The owner, Ernest Burt, staggered downstairs and exited the door on the right after being shot. He managed to reach his car but died moments later outside 8912 Grand River Avenue.

Chit Chat Lounge on 12th Street during the 1967 riots. Note the graffiti on the road.

https://soulfuldetroit.com/web12-fred-bridges/fred-bridges-text/index.html click “menu” then “Lou Beatty” Lou Beatty stands outside La Beat records on 14th Street.

https://soulfuldetroit.com/web12-fred-bridges/fred-bridges-text/index.html click “Menu” then “Aron Hicks” Photo 1 on link above shows the site of Gloreco Records which was owned by Aron Hicks. Photo 2 7337 Kipling in Detroit, where Fred Bridges laid down the basics of “With A Smile On My Face”. This structure was near to Hitsville on West Grand Boulevard.

Fred Bridges (of Brothers of Soul) took me to this building, on Oakland in Detroit, which Wingate and Bratton used for rehearsals prior to the building of their future studio on West Davison. https://soulfuldetroit.com/web12-fred-bridges/fred-bridges-text/index.html Click “menu” then “Wingate and Bratton” to find image.

https://www.discogs.com/search/?q=5+stairsteps&type=all&type= Bad management? Didn’t do so well? NARSA award for best R&B group in 1967.

Superb summation by Andy Rix.

RIP Robert.

I should add, Thursday 27th Oct 2100-2230

If you have ever visited this sad but amazing place I should think is unmissable.

Forgive me, but some of these prices are ludicrous.

Bob was a special Soul Music fan. Here is a playlist of some of his record collection. http://www.sittinginthepark.com/shows.htm

Ramsey Lewis RIP

Thanks to Carty’s response.

On my first visit to the Wheel in January 1970, I got off the Glasgow train in Manchester Victoria and headed to William Smith’s stall where I found two beautiful Inez and Charlie albums. Never forgot that moment. RIP Inez, one hell of a singer.

Oh well then. Hope the rest of your day improves!

2650 West Grand Boulevard was destroyed by fire in 1971. https://soulfuldetroit.com/web01-soulfuldetroit/motown3.htm

What would do you do if you were Berry Gordy, now regarded as one of the greats of popular music? Change the formula? That would have been incredibly stupid. He found the most amazing array of talent within the streets of Detroit. Singers, Songwriters, Arrangers, Producers, Engineers and Sound System people. Before and after the glorious era, he released many “non-typical Motown” recordings too. He was not a one trick pony. BTW an excellent contribution by Robb. Sorry for being off-topic, but a particular favourite of mine is Mike Hanks whose contribution to Soul Music is also special. Graham Finch told his story on the link below, where rightly he described him as a “Detroit Soul Legend”. Mike lies in an unmarked grave in Detroit Memorial Park after being shot dead outside the Twenty Grand on March 20, 1970. https://soulfuldetroit.com/web11-mike hanks/mike hanks text/index.html