Priscilla Page - Info?

[boba]

Does anyone have any info on singer Priscilla Page from Detroit? I'm interested in her career, if she sang with any groups, etc. Also, does anyone have a photo? This is sort of an embarassing question, but I'm wondering if she was White or Black. Her '60s sides sound super pop / White but her '70s cuts like "only yesterday" are super soulful and she sounds Black on them. 

 

Thanks in advance for any info.

[Robbk]

She was in high school in Fall 1962, when she recorded her first record ("Dreaming"/"My Letter") which was produced by Popcorn Wiley and recorded in Detroit, for Rose G Records, but later leased to L.A.'s Alcor Records (subsidiary of Everest records).  The other writer of the songs was listed as "Finney".  It was really Janie Bradford (either under an alias, or Lance Finney collected the funds for her, or that was her married name, if she was married to Lance (as is rumoured).  Her maiden name was Page, and first married name was Gilmore, during her Topper contract(1966).  She goes by the short name of "Prisca", and her current last name (married name) is Sutton.  Look up videos on Priscilla Page, and you can ask her questions directly (on comments on her Alcor and Topper records where they are uploaded).

[Robbk]

My guess is that she is "African-American", rather than "Caucasian".  But, Dave Hamilton did record a mixed instrumental group.  Unfortunately, I haven't managed to find a photo of her.

Edited January 17, 2014 by RobbK

[Mick Sway]

I'd be much surprised if there's not a least one picture and a brief biog in the sleeve notes to Kent's Dave Hamilton's Detroit series.

There are three excellent "dance" compilations plus a couple of others.

Although I doubt if there's anything that adds to Robb's post in the notes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Dave%20Hamilton%27s%20Detroit%20Dancers%20Volume

[Premium Stuff]

Anyone got a photo of Pepe the Poodle? 

[boba]

I'd be much surprised if there's not a least one picture and a brief biog in the sleeve notes to Kent's Dave Hamilton's Detroit series.

There are three excellent "dance" compilations plus a couple of others.

Although I doubt if there's anything that adds to Robb's post in the notes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Dave%20Hamilton%27s%20Detroit%20Dancers%20Volume

 

I saw the CD, I didn't want to buy it just to find out the race of Priscilla, if it even said it. Does anyone have the CD and know if it confirms anything? Thanks in advance.

[Ady Croasdell]

Sorry Bob, I was going to look it up today but got carried away with a new tape discovery! I'll check on Monday and can ring up Darrell Goolsby her singing partner for a catch up. He was in the Steppers, you may know him. Ady

[Ady Croasdell]

She was in high school in Fall 1962, when she recorded her first record ("Dreaming"/"My Letter") which was produced by Popcorn Wiley and recorded in Detroit, for Rose G Records, but later leased to L.A.'s Alcor Records (subsidiary of Everest records). The other writer of the songs was listed as "Finney". It was really Janie Bradford (either under an alias, or Lance Finney collected the funds for her, or that was her married name, if she was married to Lance (as is rumoured). Her maiden name was Page, and first married name was Gilmore, during her Topper contract(1966). She goes by the short name of "Prisca", and her current last name (married name) is Sutton. Look up videos on Priscilla Page, and you can ask her questions directly (on comments on her Alcor and Topper records where they are uploaded).

Excellent info Robb, I'll try and get it in a note one day. Ady

[Premium Stuff]

I saw the CD, I didn't want to buy it just to find out the race of Priscilla, if it even said it. Does anyone have the CD and know if it confirms anything? Thanks in advance.

 

Been very quickly through the booklets for the four soul-focused of Ady's Dave Hamilton CD's - can't see any picture of Priscilla (or Pepe the Poodle for that matter!) or any info that is not generally covered above.

 

Cheers

 

Richard

[Robbk]

I have all 4 of Kent's Dave Hamilton CDs, as I was a contributor to their production.  Unfortunately, there is nothing more on them than I have stated above.

[Robbk]

Bob:  Here's a link to one of Priscilla's uploaded records, on which she has made and answered comments.  I suggest you ask her to contact you by PM or e-mail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just click on the "You-Tube" icon. and it will take you to the You-Tube page, with the discussion and Priscilla's posts.

Edited January 18, 2014 by RobbK

[Guest gaz thomas]

Does anyone have any info on singer Priscilla Page from Detroit? I'm interested in her career, if she sang with any groups, etc. Also, does anyone have a photo? This is sort of an embarassing question, but I'm wondering if she was White or Black. Her '60s sides sound super pop / White but her '70s cuts like "only yesterday" are super soulful and she sounds Black on them. 

 

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

 

 

 

 

I think if you listen carefully to the last few bars of "You Did" Where she hollers "man you stayed out all night long... I am at home with no money.... what did you do to make me mad , complete with audible slap on the face (Genius)  I dont think there is any doubt that she is anything other than a young black girl,  she is soulful and shoutin

 

On the " I'm pretending" side she sounds so smooth, I would not have had any any idea of her colour

 

class 45

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOzLrLrv3Ls

Edited January 18, 2014 by gaz thomas

[Robbk]

I think if you listen carefully to the last few bars of "You Did" Where she hollers "man you stayed out all night long... I am at home with no money.... what did you do to make me mad , complete with audible slap on the face (Genius)  I dont think there is any doubt that she is anything other than a young black girl,  she is soulful and shoutin

 

class 45

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOzLrLrv3Ls

 

been told that by Detroiters

Yes Gaz, I'm almost positive she was African-American (Black).  I'm pretty sure I've been told that by Detroiters who were adults in the '60s, and in the music business there (Ron Murphy and a few others).  Maybe Lorraine Chandler could tell us?  Most of the artists/writers either knew each other, or knew friends of the others.  I may have even seen a photo of her, years ago.  But I'm sure there's something behind my feeling of being sure.

[Guest gaz thomas]

Yes Gaz, I'm almost positive she was African-American (Black).  I'm pretty sure I've been told that by Detroiters who were adults in the '60s, and in the music business there (Ron Murphy and a few others).  Maybe Lorraine Chandler could tell us?  Most of the artists/writers either knew each other, or knew friends of the others.  I may have even seen a photo of her, years ago.  But I'm sure there's something behind my feeling of being sure.

Hi Rob

 

she sounds like she recorded the topper stuff when she was young,....like in her early / mid teens maybe 

2 great 45s on topper

 

production is fantasic

 

I have not heard any of her later things.

[Robbk]

Here's her first release, - original label of the Alcor leased cuts: 

The ZTSC number places it in mid 1962 (July?).  The Alcor release was in October.  Popcorn Wylie ran the day-to day operations of the label.  We didcussed this release on Soulful Detroit Forum years ago.  Ron Murphy told us who the owner/financier was (Rose G?).  But, I have forgotten.  Does anyone know who Rose G /owner was?  The publisher was "Brown & Green".  Might that have been Frank Brown and Rose Green?  I doubt that it was Fred Brown, otherwise Joe Hunter would have run the session, rather than Popcorn Wylie.

 

Does anyone know any other records on this label?

Edited January 18, 2014 by RobbK

[Robbk]

Hi Rob

 

she sounds like she recorded the topper stuff when she was young,....like in her early / mid teens maybe 

2 great 45s on topper

 

production is fantasic

 

I have not heard any of her later things.

Priscilla was either 16 or 17 in 1962, when she recorded the Rose-G/Alcor cuts, and, thus 20 or 21 when her Topper cuts were recorded in 1966.

[Guest gaz thomas]

Here's her first release, - original label of the Alcor leased cuts: 

The ZTSC number places it in mid 1962 (July?).  The Alcor release was in October.  Popcorn Wylie ran the day-to day operations of the label.  We didcussed this release on Soulful Detroit Forum years ago.  Ron Murphy told us who the owner/financier was (Rose G?).  But, I have forgotten.  Does anyone know who Rose G /owner was?  Does anyone know any other records on this label?

 

that record sounds to me like a early motown record

 

Its really nice with a latin mood going on

 

her voice again, she does not sound it any way afro american on this 45

 

But I suppose Mary Wells and Ms Ross could sound this white in 62?

 

I see where Harvey "any way you wanna" on tri phi came from

Edited January 18, 2014 by gaz thomas

[Guest gaz thomas]

Priscilla was either 16 or 17 in 1962, when she recorded the Rose-G/Alcor cuts, and, thus 20 or 21 when her Topper cuts were recorded in 1966.

 

Thanks Rob

 

an intriguing and totally unknown singer for me

Edited January 18, 2014 by gaz thomas

[boba]

thanks everyone

[boba]

now I realize I've further confused myself. "only yesterday" is by "priscilla price". the early '60s records are by "priscilla page". They're different people right? There is no similarity in the voices.

[Robbk]

now I realize I've further confused myself. "only yesterday" is by "priscilla price". the early '60s records are by "priscilla page". They're different people right? There is no similarity in the voices.

They are definitely two different people.  But, I'm still fairly sure that Priscilla Page is an "African-American".  But, I don't want to ask her that question, as I think it might be considered rude, coming out of the blue from a stranger, out of any context.

[Robbk]

Bob, did you go to the You-Tube videos with commentary, and ask her to contact you?  perhaps you could send her a personal message on whatever message service You-Tube uses (is it Google?), and you could, at the same time, tell her in a comment thread of one of her songs (the Alcor record) that you have sent her the PM, and she can find it in her in box.

[boba]

it actually is almost impossible to send a message via youtube now, i've tried, i think you have to use google+ now which I don't use. i also don't wanna ask "Hi, just wondering, are you Black?"

[Robbk]

it actually is almost impossible to send a message via youtube now, i've tried, i think you have to use google+ now which I don't use. i also don't wanna ask "Hi, just wondering, are you Black?"

Not surprising.  If it would be okay to do that, I'd already have done it.  But you have a lot of other questions that you'd like to ask her about her career.  Often I get a personal message sent to me through my Yahoo e-mail.  I guess that comes because Yahoo Mail is affiliated with Google, and has automatically made me a member.  I don't use Facebook or Twitter, or any other message service.  I wouldn't want to list my e-mail address on a You-Tube thread.

[Robbk]

Bob.  I clicked on Prisca Sutton's name, and it sent me to her private You-Tube page.  There is a click button to send her a message.  It states that the link to her answer will be sent to my e-mail via Google +.   Would you like me to relay an e-mail address or messaging service user name you use to her so she can contact you?  I would tell her that you are a DJ/music historian who wants to learn more specifics about her career.  Or, if not, do you have specific questions that you'd like me to ask her?

 

 

 

Robb

[Mick Sway]

About 15 years ago my mate Dave Phones sent me a tape of the a local radio show from Telford, called "Basement Soul"

which included on its play list Priscilla's "Only Yesterday" .

I found it so stunning I just had to get a copy and as it was before Ebay, I paid over the top at the time to get one from

Craig Moerer.

Released on Geneva and BASF , a Jimmy Roach arrangement.

Sorry I don't know any more about her than this gut wrenching ballad

And apologies didn't mean to appear patronising over the Kent compilation references.

[Chalky]

Prisca Sutton is also on Facebook.

[Chalky]

My guess is that she is "African-American", rather than "Caucasian".  But, Dave Hamilton did record a mixed instrumental group.  Unfortunately, I haven't managed to find a photo of her.

 

She is African American.

[Robbk]

About 15 years ago my mate Dave Phones sent me a tape of the a local radio show from Telford, called "Basement Soul"

which included on its play list Priscilla's "Only Yesterday" .

I found it so stunning I just had to get a copy and as it was before Ebay, I paid over the top at the time to get one from

Craig Moerer.

Released on Geneva and BASF , a Jimmy Roach arrangement.

Sorry I don't know any more about her than this gut wrenching ballad

And apologies didn't mean to appear patronising over the Kent compilation references.

So, Priscilla Page IS Priscilla Price, after all, and used "Priscilla Price" as a stage name in the 1970s? 

 

I knew that Geneva was a Detroit label, and Jimmy Roach worked out of Detroit during the 1970s.

[Robbk]

Prisca Sutton is also on Facebook.

Bob, do you use Facebook? If so, you could contact her there.

 

I don't, and don't want to get involved in that.  I'm on The Internet way too much, to the detriment of my work, as it is.

[boba]

So, Priscilla Page IS Priscilla Price, after all, and used "Priscilla Price" as a stage name in the 1970s? 

 

I knew that Geneva was a Detroit label, and Jimmy Roach worked out of Detroit during the 1970s.

 

you're taking a probably mislabelled youtube video as evidence of this or am I missing something?

[Robbk]

you're taking a probably mislabelled youtube video as evidence of this or am I missing something?

Yes.  You are missing the fact that I placed a question mark after my sentence referring to the uploader listing Priscilla Price as "Priscilla Page".  I have never seen any information proving that they are the same person.  The fact that Prisca Sutton has commented on Priscilla Page's Alcor and Topper uploads, and NOT on Priscilla Price's records leads me to believe that it IS a mislabeling only, as you guess.   

[boba]

They sound totally different. Of course I confused the names myself above, I think the uploader must have done the same.

[Ady Croasdell]

Here are 2 extracts from my sleevenotes which don't add that much but a little. I'll speak to Darrell/Rony soon.

 

Priscilla Page’s name was Priscilla Gilmore by the time of her Topper contract. She had already had a release in 1962, ‘My Letter’ / ‘Dreaming’ that came out on Detroit labels Rose G and then Alcor out of NYC. ‘I’m Pretending’ was issued in two forms. We put the original release on CDKEND 154; this is the remix with less percussion and other more subtle changes. ‘Shoo Be Doo Be (Now That You’re Gone)’ is the last of the Topper releases to be issued by Kent (excluding the white rock release by the Decisions). It is admittedly a rather twee duet with Rony Darrel, but still has charm and some good moments.

 

 

14. THROW THE POOR DOG A BONE (Dave Hamilton, Rony Darrell, Priscilla Gilmore) PRISCILLA PAGE & PEPE THE POODLE (1965)

 

Dave’s enthusiasm for this song is reflected on the original tape box where he has written “throw the damn dog a bone”. Whether it was the inanity of the song or the problems that he had in adding the barking sound affects, we can’t be sure, but he seemed to have had a hard time with it judging by the number of false start and aborted incomplete versions he left on tape. Priscilla Page (real surname Gilmore) co-wrote it with Dave and Darrell after Louise Sheely, (the wife of one of the label’s backers, Ted Sheely, who played piano on the session) suggested it. It’s a harmless enough girly dancer; if you can stand that barking. Darrell remembers Motown’s Uriel Jones being the drummer on this session.

 

This and the flip ‘I’m Pretending’ were re-mixed and re-pressed by Topper because the original Roberts recording machine that they used left the over-dubbed horns out of synch with the rest of the music.

[Ady Croasdell]

 

 

And apologies didn't mean to appear patronising over the Kent compilation references.

 

I didn't think it was patronising at all Mick. Ady

[Blackpoolsoul]

On 19/01/2014 at 02:54, Robbk said:

They are definitely two different people.  But, I'm still fairly sure that Priscilla Page is an "African-American".  But, I don't want to ask her that question, as I think it might be considered rude, coming out of the blue from a stranger, out of any context.

This so sad that I have to post this since Bob passed Robb, but am posting he picture for the record. 

[Robbk]

On 05/09/2024 at 23:13, Blackpoolsoul said:

This so sad that I have to post this since Bob passed Robb, but am posting he picture for the record. 

Thanks for this photo, Blackpool Soul.  It adds a bit to our knowledge of Detroit's music industry during the '60s.  I wonder why Ady listed Alcor Records as being operated out of New York.  That was probably the corporate headquarters of Alcor Steel, who ran a record pressing plant in L.A. and manufactured stampers used by a lot of other pressing plants.  Alcor was one of the several minor L.A. pressing plants that used the triangle symbol before its pressing code numbers, along with major L.A. plant, Monarch.  Alcor Records was a division of L.A.'s bigger label, Everest Records.  I wonder if they were also owned by Alcor Steel? - or if they were just a co-owned subsidiary?  I also wonder how (and WHY?) Rose G's owners got their record leased by tiny L.A. label, Alcor.  I always meant to ask Popcorn Wylie about that, and the several other small Detroit labels he worked for when he was freelance producing during the early to mid '60s, but never got the opportunity.  I wonder if Graham Finch interviewed him in one of those taped interviews he has been uploading, and Popcorn discussed that period with him?

Edited September 7 by Robbk

[The Yank]

The Everest label was founded in 1958 by the Belock Instrument Corp. in New York . In 1962, the label was sold and the new owner moved the label to Los Angeles. I think that's why there was some confusion about where Alcor was based. There is no correlation between Alcor Steel and the Everest label .

[Robbk]

6 hours ago, The Yank said:

The Everest label was founded in 1958 by the Belock Instrument Corp. in New York . In 1962, the label was sold and the new owner moved the label to Los Angeles. I think that's why there was some confusion about where Alcor was based. There is no correlation between Alcor Steel and the Everest label .

But Alcor Steel operated a pressing plant in L.A. that made stampers for the entire Western US, and they were the 2nd largest pressing plant (after Monarch) to use the triangle icon in front of their pressing code.  The were a natural to start a record label, and Alcor Records had an L.A. address, and their label design is a design used by an L.A. pressing plant during that Alcor label's existence.  I doubt very much that that is a coincidence.  As Alcor Records was identified on their labels as a division of Everest Records, maybe Everest was a partner (co-owners) with Alcor pressing Plant in that subsidiary of Everest Records?  Maybe Everest's staff handled production, marketing and distribution for Alcor.  I have a really nice Eddy Williams single on the label in addition to the Priscilla Page.  Williams was a lead singer of two well-known LA R&B groups during the 1950s, The Aladdins and The Capris

[Chalky]

Think you are confusing Alcor Records with Alco Pressing plant.  It was Alco that used the Delta numbering system the same as Monarch.  Alco did many of the Doré releases.

[Robbk]

5 hours ago, Chalky said:

Think you are confusing Alcor Records with Alco Pressing plant.  It was Alco that used the Delta numbering system the same as Monarch.  Alco did many of the Doré releases.

Thanks, Chalky, for this comment.  YES, I confused ALCO pressing plant with Alcor Records.  So, Alcor Records was just a subsidiary division of Everest Records.  I have a definite data overload from over 70m years of looking at, and trying to process record information.

Edited September 7 by Robbk

[Candiman]

On 06/09/2024 at 07:13, Blackpoolsoul said:

This so sad that I have to post this since Bob passed Robb, but am posting he picture for the record. 

Prisca has a photo of a book page, or liner notes possibly?*, on her Facebook account that describes the recording of her first single in some depth.

In the narrative it states Prisca was 18 at the time of recording.

It also states that Dennis Gilmore (of The Precisions) was Prisca’s older brother. So now I’m confused: was Prisca’s maiden name Page or Gilmore? It would have to have been Gilmore if Dennis is her brother. At the bottom of the photographed page there is some text that cannot be read as it is covered by emojis but it is possible it says that Page was just a made up recording name?

*Kent’s “Birth Of Soul (Special Detroit Edition 1961-64)” maybe??

[Chalky]

2 hours ago, Candiman said:

Prisca has a photo of a book page, or liner notes possibly?*, on her Facebook account that describes the recording of her first single in some depth.

In the narrative it states Prisca was 18 at the time of recording.

It also states that Dennis Gilmore (of The Precisions) was Prisca’s older brother. So now I’m confused: was Prisca’s maiden name Page or Gilmore? It would have to have been Gilmore if Dennis is her brother. At the bottom of the photographed page there is some text that cannot be read as it is covered by emojis but it is possible it says that Page was just a made up recording name?

*Kent’s “Birth Of Soul (Special Detroit Edition 1961-64)” maybe??

Priscilla Gilmore is her maiden name and the sister of Dennis.  Her married name is Prisca Sutton.

The liner notes are from Birth Of Soul.