Robert Bateman R.I.P

[Neil Rushton]

Am reeling, as just heard that Robert Bateman has died.

To me, the man was a musical icon.

 

Listening to him explaining about his life in the 1960's and 1970's American Soul World was thrilling. After he got over his initial reserve, he was very very funny and nice.

 

Been a privilege to release his music.

 

"Worth Every Tear I Cry"

 

Rest In Peace Robert

[Gilly]

I thought he had passed some time ago, a great man indeed, how old was he Neil I know he was in the music business at least in the later 50s  RIP

[Robbk]

He was 80 years old when he breathed his last.  He was one of my favourite songwriters and producers, and a very nice man.  May he rest in peace.

[Neil Rushton]

Major player in the 60's. One of the founding fathers at Motown, left to do his own thing. As well as his own label - HIB -on which he released Luther Ingram he was one of the original  independent producers cutting a path through that Wild West era.. Dee Dee Warwick, Yvonne Vernee, Jamo Thomas, The Poets, Lou Courtney, Marjorie Black, Billy Woods, Florence Ballard, The Webs, Tru-Glo-Town. Otis Smith, Smash, Van McCoy..and he did the demo for his nephew Jeff Perry of "Because Of You" which he shopped to his pal Sonny Sanders which led to Jackie Wilson recording one of the greatest Soul records ever, plus his connection with Washington/ The Exceptions/Kenni Lewis/ Max Kidd, Bell Sound, The New Monitors, Capitol with Charles Green, Barbara forgot her surname..and more..

[Neil Rushton]

And a very nice man.

 

I loved talking to him.

[Andy Rix]

Sad news indeed .... He was literally a legend in his own lifetime ... And rightly so

His legacy will be the envy of many

What a man

may he rest in soulful peace

Andy

[The Yank]

Also co- wrote and  produced  one of my favorites- "Nothing Can Help You Now"- Lenny Curtis.

R.I.P. Mr. Bateman

 

[Sunnysoul]

2 hours ago, Neil Rushton said:

Major player in the 60's. One of the founding fathers at Motown, left to do his own thing. As well as his own label - HIB -on which he released Luther Ingram he was one of the original  independent producers cutting a path through that Wild West era.. Dee Dee Warwick, Yvonne Vernee, Jamo Thomas, The Poets, Lou Courtney, Marjorie Black, Billy Woods, Florence Ballard, The Webs, Tru-Glo-Town. Otis Smith, Smash, Van McCoy..and he did the demo for his nephew Jeff Perry of "Because Of You" which he shopped to his pal Sonny Sanders which led to Jackie Wilson recording one of the greatest Soul records ever, plus his connection with Washington/ The Exceptions/Kenni Lewis/ Max Kidd, Bell Sound, The New Monitors, Capitol with Charles Green, Barbara forgot her surname..and more..

Neil, was there any specific reason he didn't stay longer with Motown into the mid and late 60s ? Did he have a  falling out with Berry Gordy or did he just want  to move on and do his own thing ?

[Robbk]

52 minutes ago, sunnysoul said:

Neil, was there any specific reason he didn't stay longer with Motown into the mid and late 60s ? Did he have a  falling out with Berry Gordy or did he just want  to move on and do his own thing ?

Bateman said in an interview some years ago, that in March 1962, Mickey Stevenson told him that Wilbur Golden, who was starting up his own new record company (Correc-Tone Records), was offering big salaries for Motown's key production people to come work for him,  Stevenson told him that Eddie and Brian Holland were joining him in jumping ship.  Apparently, all of Motown's production staff felt that Berry Gordy was making enough money by early 1962, to allow him to pay them livable salaries.  Bateman quit Motown, and was hired by Golden.  He brought his friend from The Satintones, Sonny Sanders, with him.  Then, when it was too late to go back to Motown. Bateman found out that Stevenson, and both Holland Brothers had NEVER quit Motown, because Berry Gordy offered them decent salaries to stay, and, in addition, bought them, each, new Cadillacs.  Apparently, Stevenson and The Hollands used Golden's offers as leverage to get decent salaries from Gordy, and Bateman had some bad luck in quitting outright before really considering his options.  Or, Gordy didn't value Bateman's talents enough to offer him what he offered the others.  Probably, no one will ever know now.  In any case, Robert Bateman wanted to produce on his own, and would have left within the next few years, as Stevenson had the job he wanted.

After finding out that Stevenson and The Hollands weren't coming to him, Golden then offered Bateman Stevenson's promised Correc-Tone A&R and chief producer job, and a big bonus to plan and oversee the building of his new recording studio.  Popcorn Wylie also moved to Correc-Tone, and Bateman and Sanders brought with them the remaining Satintones, who were reformed into The Pyramids.  Janie Bradford moonlighted for Correc-Tone as a songwriter (under the pen name of Nikki Todd).    The Supremes moonlighted there as background singers.  Bateman ran Correc-Tone's production in 1962 and 1963.  But, as Golden was constantly strapped for cash, and couldn't pay him, Robert began producing for himself as an independent producer, mainly leasing his productions to other labels, working mainly out of New York, starting in late 1963.  He still worked part-time in Detroit, through 1964.

Edited October 13, 2016 by RobbK

[Gilly]

So that gives rise to The Pyramids  Playboy  Sonbert ( no record #) then Robb, Thank-you

[Wilxy]

RIP Sir.......

[Robbk]

6 hours ago, Gilly said:

So that gives rise to The Pyramids  Playboy  Sonbert ( no record #) then Robb, Thank-you

Yes, Chico Leverette left The Satintones first, then James Ellis.  Vernon Williams from The Royal Holidays came in as the new lead singer.  Williams, Mack and James Crawford formed the nucleus of The new Pyramids, after Bateman and Sanders left The Satintones.

[ricticman]

2 hours ago, wilxy said:

RIP Sir.......

absolutely, well said wilxy,

and great + heartfelt input from Neil R.

seems that we are hearing this sort of thing so often now ; it's so sad......we've got to remember and understand just how lucky we are to know and remember the fabulous music these guys left behind, and try and make sure they're never forgotten.