Roburt Posted April 7, 2012 Posted April 7, 2012 (edited) I really like some of the tracks cut by this Baltimore group in the late 60's / 70's. They had started out on the Baltimore soul scene as two separate groups -- one was known as Frankie and the Spinners and the other, Little Ray and the Playboys. The groups eventually got together because one member had quit and another went to join the Marines. In 1968 the group started to record and had to change their name because of Motown group, the Spinners. Thus Frankie and the Spindles came to be. The were still playing gigs as Frankie & the Spinners in late April 1968 but had their Roc-ker 45 on the US national soul chart by July, so I guess they had only changed their name when the 45 had escaped into the shops. They cut tracks for Roc-ker, Funny, Canyon, Gamble , etc. I guess just about my fave from them is their Gamble outing "Makin Up Time" .... Edited April 7, 2012 by Roburt
Roburt Posted April 7, 2012 Author Posted April 7, 2012 This one is good deep soul ........ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TisKYyDK9q0 "Count To Ten" ain't too shabby either.
Sebastian Posted April 7, 2012 Posted April 7, 2012 I really like their "Tomorrow" on ROC-KER. Always reminds me of Edward Hamilton's "Baby Don't You Weep". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb7MbEpTYi4
Roburt Posted April 7, 2012 Author Posted April 7, 2012 Sebastian, it is a good dancer; not very typical of their usual output though.
Tricky Posted April 7, 2012 Posted April 7, 2012 Recently heard and liked War on Canyon.Again untypical of usual output!
boba Posted April 7, 2012 Posted April 7, 2012 I don't understand the billboard chart listing as "my girl is made of candy" is the only one that charted but that track is pretty hard to find. The track that they're known for is "count to ten". it was previously done by derek martin on sue but the spindles version is the hit version. It's also clearly their best cut IMO. If you talk about frankie and the spindles, you're usually talking about "count to ten". I have a couple of photos of the group somewhere. Actually I also have a tour program of their which is sort of cool. 1
Roburt Posted April 7, 2012 Author Posted April 7, 2012 (edited) The group certainly made records for some 'unconventional ' record labels, one being Canyon. Wally Roker's Canyon rose like a rocket, ran out of cash & instantly crashed to the ground. Some of the artists / groups signed to the main label (or it's subsidiary's of Soul Clock, Pride, Dispo, Maple) were very badly served between mid 1970 & the end of 1971. The label also licensed stuff out for UK release under false artist names (Rudy Love stuff as Tyrone Davis, various femme stuff as Doris Duke). They (Frankie & the Spindles) also had further name troubles as a 45 was released as by Frankie & the Spindels + Gamble put out a publicity photo badged up as Franky & the Spindles. They (the group) also took on some strange live gigs. In 1972, when they had really just established themselves as a up & coming recording group, they were booked onto a big Batimore Oldies show ???????? Edited April 7, 2012 by Roburt
Roburt Posted April 7, 2012 Author Posted April 7, 2012 The group were represented by A & D Booking of Baltimore (A & D being the initials of the 2 guys that owned / ran the agency). But it was a bit of a strange agency. They put out ads specifically targeted at High Schools ??? I know the US school system is a lot different to that in the UK, but if Don Valley High had booked a soul group for a school dance, I'd have had a fit !!! ...... I guess it was their agency that booked the group onto that oldies show.
Roburt Posted April 7, 2012 Author Posted April 7, 2012 Bob, RE: "my girl is made of candy" is the only one that charted but that track is pretty hard to find. "Candy" was the 1st release on the then new Roc-ker label (out of Baltimore). I'd think (anyone confirm) that it got a local pressing first but was quickly picked up nationally by Amy -Mala-Bell. It was on the US Soul Charts in July 68 & stayed on the (Billboard) chart for 3 weeks. I have no idea if it was a regional breakout (I'd think it was) that sold well (Top 10) down the east coast cities but didn't really register in mid & west coast states. Maybe A-M-B ran out of copies (i.e. they hadn't pressed enough up) & so it dropped straight off the chart (It went No.40 to 39 to ? & then vanished). It may not have garnered radio plays in many regions & so the US record buying public in many areas never got to hear it. It's little mysteries like why a 45 sold heaps in one area but none at all in others that have always intrigued me.
boba Posted April 8, 2012 Posted April 8, 2012 either way, count to ten is their best and most common and biggest hit 45. thanks.
Mr Soul Posted April 8, 2012 Posted April 8, 2012 (edited) remember getting maybe tomorrow on funny "a" off Max £1 in the 70's,unknown instr,i loved it, a quid was alot then Edited April 8, 2012 by MR SOUL
Roburt Posted April 10, 2012 Author Posted April 10, 2012 Unearthed another gig that the group were on, this time at Balt Civic Center in mid June 68. The other acts on the bill included the Dells, O'Jays, 5 Stairsteps, Magnificent Men, Fashions & Shorty Long. They were still advertised as being Frankie & the Spinners and this was only days before their 1st 45 was released.
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