Idlewild - A Unique African American Resort Town

[Roburt]

I know lots about the premier black beach resorts on the US east coast  -- Carr's & Sparrow's Beaches. These flourished right thru till the late 60's when blacks weren't allowed on 'white beaches'. But with the breakdown of segregation, these beach resorts fell into decline. The big shows by major black artists stopped & the people just stopped coming (I have a whole chapter in my book about the 2 resorts and the acts that played on them).

.... HOWEVER .... across in Michigan there was a whole town (Idlewild) that grew up along similar principals. Blacks from the cities (Chicago, Detroit, Toledo, Flint, Grand Rapids, etc.) would head there for the weekend, staying in a local motel (or even buying a house locally). The place was in it's prime in the 40s / 50s / 60s but fell into decline at the same time as Carr's Beach (& for the same reasons).

When it was a thriving holiday spot, the entertainment there was top notch. All the top acts of each decade would star there at venues such as Paradise Nightclub, Flamingo Bar, El Morocco & Red Rooster Lounge. Lavern Baker, Little Willie John, Arthur Prysock, Della Reese, the 4 Tops, Jackie Wilson, Lloyd Price, Etta James, B B King, Aretha Franklin, Bill Cosby, George Kirby and more were regulars (the 4 Tops even met their wives there). 

The resort (located in northwest Michigan) was a mecca for black entertainment. During summer months in the 1950s over 20,000 people would dance at venues in Idlewild. In the 60's Jackie Wilson would sing "Lonely Teardrops", "Baby Workout" &"Whispers". Twist competitions were held on a regular basis, visitors would dance the night away. Lloyd Price worked up in Idlewild for the whole summer one year. He had a full band to support him and in that band were the Funk Brothers; Benny Benjamin, James Jamerson, Earl Van Dyke. They were all working up there in Idlewild for the summer season. I don't know how that fitted in with playing in the studio or backing Motown artists up on live shows. I'm posting a photo below of dancers performing at the Paradise Club and it's impossible to identify the band members who are providing their music. However, on the drummers kit is a big R A logo ... so I'm guessing that the drummer is Richard 'Pistol' Allen

  However, the Paradise Nightclub burned down in 1970. The 700-seat Flamingo Bar still overlooks Idlewild Lake but stands empty. The Red Rooster lounge and restaurant is still open some days but only after 4 p.m. -- properties lay empty and decaying. The place is a shadow of it's former self.  

BUT it isn't totally forgotten and a number of web sites exist that detail what went on in this 'Black Eden' back in the day ...........

https://www.blackpast.org/aah/idlewild-michigan-1912

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/cKCj0

https://www.davehoekstra.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/idlewild_mich_black_mecca.pdf

https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/08/idlewild_the_black_eden_marks.html

Anyone know any other soul music linked facts that relate to this place ????

 

Edited March 5, 2016 by Roburt

[Roburt]

Choker Campbell maintained his old ties back in Ohio, even after he relocated to Detroit & hooked up with Motown.

Even when he took gigs up in Idlewild, he found a way to work over in Ohio ... taking the 'Idlewild Review' across to Cleveland ......

I guess the revue headed off to Cleveland the day after it finished the summer season in Idlewild.

 

Edited March 10, 2016 by Roburt

[kim]

great post roburt always enjoy reading your posts 

kim