The Real Pied Piper Story? by Rob Moss

In a radio interview with Richard Searling from Memphis, Tennessee in 2000, Jack Ashford said the following with regard to the conclusion and closure of Pied Piper Productions “ Gerard Purcell — he was the person that got us into RCA, was putting pressure on Shelley (he didn’t like Shelley) cause he wanted to get Mike and I. So he figured if he got rid of Shelley then it would be easier to deal with us, but we saw that coming and so we couldn’t convince Shelley to stay — so Shelley bowed out. Mike said ‘If Shelley isn’t going to be in it I don’t want to be in it.’ So Mike went his way and I’m gonna form Just Productions.” This statement is puzzling to comprehend, partly because it takes no account of the actual chronological events that preceded the company’s demise, but mainly because it bears no resemblance to the truth of the matter. Mike Terry had ceased working with Jack Ashford and Shelley Haims for a considerable time before the operation was wound up in late 1967.

note from the soul source team - sorry but all Robs non-current articles are now clipped due to a future book release - watch out for news of that!

comments posted under old system

Eddie HubbardJul 30 2013 09:26 PM

Very interesting article Rob , and stunning photos .........

Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

AGENTSMITH photo

Getting spins again

AGENTSMITHJul 30 2013 09:34 PM

compelling, fascinating, intriguing.....unequivocally gripping, rob moss once again delivers an eye opening statement that presents facts, hitherto unknown to the masses and exposes the somewhat distorted work ethics of some of detroit's most influential songwriters & producers, their strained relationships and their double dealings.the history of the music that dominates our scene is all the more of a colourful expose' thanks to rob's attention to detail and, as always, furnished with glorious monotones of northern soul's iconic glitteratti. for rob's painstaking efforts, we owe him so much.

Jerry Hipkiss and jimmy mack like Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

Wheel city1 photo

Second Issue

Wheel city1Jul 30 2013 10:45 PM

Brilliant article,just goes to show the same guys that were being ripped off by Berry Gordy.Went on to ripp each other off,very sadd. Chris.

Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

Jim Elliott photo

Tape swappers fav

Jim ElliottJul 30 2013 11:48 PM

Those pics are mindblowing.

Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

Byrney photo

Getting spins again

ByrneyJul 30 2013 11:49 PM

Thanks Rob for taking the time to do this. Fascinating stuff.

Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

Only Dreaming photo

Semi known gem

Only DreamingJul 31 2013 09:02 AM

Great article and Pictures

Dave

Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

TOAD photo

Alltime Northern

TOADJul 31 2013 09:07 AM

Brilliant rob

Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

Jerry Hipkiss photo

Getting spins again

Jerry HipkissJul 31 2013 09:43 AM

Absolutely fascinating read!

Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

ady croasdell photo

Massive everywhere

ady croasdellJul 31 2013 10:21 AM

This is indeed a fascinating article with stunning photos but it seems to be very high on opinion rather than fact.

The whole Giant label paragraph is incorrect and could easily be seen to be so with a little checking. The Chicago Giant label started in 1968 while the Detroit one commenced in 1965 and was finished by 1966. If Rob could point this out to Josie it would be one less slander against Pied Piper’s owners. Mike Terry was involved with both Giant labels from the beginning and it is very likely that he was a partner in the Detroit Giant label rather than in Pied Piper productions. Giant in Chicago ran smoothly from 1968 without any challenges from the original Detroit label owners so it is quite probable that Shelley and Jack gave Mike Terry the rights to the label name to take to Chicago and work with Mel Collins as a new partner. Mike was never a partner in Pied Piper. He worked for them within a large talented team of arrangers, producers, song-writers, musicians and singers. Her was probably too busy with his session work for his incredible saxophone prowess at Motown, in Philly and with Pied Piper to be able to run a demanding business at the same time. His session fees would have been substantially more than the off-chance of earning from possible hits.

The whole Mike —good, Jack-bad scenario is very opinionated. As stated in the article Jack got Mike his break into writing and producing for which Mike was thankful and though they obviously had a business fall-out along the way, he looked back on those times with fondness. It seems to be Ed Wolfrun/Wolfum and Mike’s widow who have it in for Jack. For a studio engineer to divulge gossip about Jack and Mike’s financial arrangements is unprofessional and probably libellous, Soul Source might want to look into that further as they are a party in publishing the claims.

There are many other inaccuracies and opinions in this that unfortunately detract from a lot of the good in the article. Apart from the totally false Giant saga, that isn’t a photo of Dave Hamilton on the Stevie Wonder photo, it’s Jack Ashford, the guy who sent me the photo.

I’m on summer hols now with my son but I’ll have a look at the other flaws later. If we’re going to write historically important articles we should try and get them right from a factual point of view at the very least.

Ady

jocko, makstax and Flynny like Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

ady croasdell photo

Massive everywhere

ady croasdellJul 31 2013 11:49 AM

Sorry that wasn't meant to be in huge print I was working on a Mac, if a moderator could reduce it I'd be grateful. Ady

Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

maslar photo

Semi known gem

maslarJul 31 2013 08:39 PM

Just a point on "I Miss My Baby". There are actually two songs here. Haskins (Parlaiments and Funkadelic) wrote the one recorded by Funkadelic circa Maggot Brain. D Peoples aka Richard Parker worked at Golden World. Peoples (Parker) is listed at BMI as composer of (presumably) the Rose Batiste track.

Rob Moss and Hitsville Chalky like Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

jocko photo

Massive everywhere

jockoAug 01 2013 09:50 AM

It would be interesting, and surely important, for Rob to address Ady's points would it not, the internet can be abused dreadfully for self interest, e.g. The Sam and Dave widow saga. Not even remotely suggesting Rob is doing that but it would be good to at least answer Ady's points surely?

Byrney, KevinKent and Flynny like Like

Top Quote Edit Hide Delete Report

Dean Rudland photo

Semi known gem

Dean RudlandAug 03 2013 09:23 AM

Interesting use of words 'his actual contribution is unknown'. This sounds like you're saying that Jack didn't write the songs. Is this what you are saying Rob? If so what proof have you got?