Choker Campbell

[Simsy]

Watched the rather excellent 'Standing in the shadows of Motown' the other night, fully expecting our man Choker to get a mention, but nowt!

I know the Funk Brothers were the Funk Brothers etc and Choker Campbell and his band had been around since the dawn of time and ended up at Motown. However beyond that I'm a little hazy on the subject. Any more info from CC experts warmly welcomed.

Edited December 5, 2006 by Simsy

[Guest Lady Maverick]

Choker Campbell had 1 album on Motown called CHOKER CAMPBELL AND HIS 16 PIECE BAND. Tracks included:

Baby love

Come see about me

Where did our love go

Dancing in the street

Baby, I need your loving

That's what love is made of

Wild one

Mickey's monkey

Heat wave

Pride and joy

Hitch hike

Fingertips

If memory serves me correctly, there is information on him in Bill Dahl's Motown Book.

Edited December 5, 2006 by Lady Maverick

[Jaco]

You could try www.motownalumni.com for starters He appears in alist of artists but don't know how to navigate around the site. There is also a link to www.motownmuseum.com which may also help.

Youtube has Big Joe Turner and Choker Campbell and His Band

[pikeys dog]

Choker was a cross dressing band leader, who got his name from the Diamante Choker he wore during performances.

He was also great friends with Albert De Salvo, who he enjoyed many a round of golf with.

[Guest Lady Maverick]

Here is info on the book:

https://www.amazon.com/Motown-Golden-Years-...TF8&s=books

Edited December 5, 2006 by Lady Maverick

[Simsy]

Thanks dudes.

Wasn't sure if he/they did session stuff, or purely and act...

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Choker was a cross dressing band leader, who got his name from the Diamante Choker he wore during performances.

A humorous idea, but just an urban myth and nothing more - he played sax and the 'Choker' came from his way of 'Choking' the notes. He's not the only tenor man to carry this nickname, but he's probably the most famous one!

Choker's band did indeed back Joe Turner in the 50s, both on record (the wonderful "Love Roller Coaster" and on film). Prior to that he'd been an Atlantic artist himself in the early 50s. With his band, Choker also recorded for Everlast, Fortune and Lucky, among other labels, between 1949 and 1958 as well as Motown in the 60s, of course.

TONE

[pikeys dog]

A humorous idea, but just an urban myth and nothing more

And one i just made up....

a bit like him being Golfing buddies with the Boston Strangler (another kind of Choker... geddit)

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

And one i just made up....

a bit like him being Golfing buddies with the Boston Strangler (another kind of Choker... geddit)

...that thud you hear in the middle distance is the sound of a penny dropping - right on my thick head...

...although you've come up with a great idea for a thread there - soul transvestites! I'll thrown Bobby Marchan, Jackie Shane and the great gospel singer Wilmer "Little Ax" Broadnax into the pot for starters....

TONE

Edited December 5, 2006 by TONY ROUNCE

[Guest Lady Maverick]

Thanks dudes.

Wasn't sure if he/they did session stuff, or purely and act...

Um...I am a female...

Edited December 5, 2006 by Lady Maverick

[Guest vinylvixen]

Um...I am a female...

Me too....who sometimes cross dresses...you try putting two legs in one leg of a pair of tights.....makes you very cross Tony will probably correct me but I thought Choker and his band were the 'road' band in the early days while Earl and the boys stayed in the studio....Didn't Marvin Gaye's dad cross dress? and Esku Reader (Esquritta....not sure about the spelling) - but the inspiration for Little Richard....who was a voyeur I'll get my coat Jo

[Guest Paul]

Choker (Walter) was a great character and is much missed. Ardent Music had some dealings with him in the late '80s and early '90s and he was such a warm and friendly guy.

Paul Mooney

www.millbrand.com

[Pete S]

Choker was a cross dressing band leader, who got his name from the Diamante Choker he wore during performances.

He was also great friends with Albert De Salvo, who he enjoyed many a round of golf with.

[Simsy]

Um...I am a female...

I know mate, your avatar is a clue. 'Dudes' just general unisex friendly term.

[Guest Lady Maverick]

You guyz are funny! I thought that, but you have no idea!

[Guest]

I know mate, your avatar is a clue. 'Dudes' just general unisex friendly term.

Dudes, youve been watchin` to much,neighbours...........Dudes,how sad

PS,idont want to be called a "camel`s penis".

Edited December 5, 2006 by ken

[Simsy]

Tony will probably correct me but I thought Choker and his band were the 'road' band in the early days while Earl and the boys stayed in the studio....Didn't Marvin Gaye's dad cross dress? and Esku Reader (Esquritta....not sure about the spelling) - but the inspiration for Little Richard....who was a voyeur I'll get my coat Jo

Yeah thought similar. This is why I thought it a bit 'rum' that he didn't get a mention in the dvd.

Esqurita and Little Richard hard to tell apart in some pics..

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Tony will probably correct me but I thought Choker and his band were the 'road' band in the early days while Earl and the boys stayed in the studio....Didn't Marvin Gaye's dad cross dress? and Esku Reader (Esquritta....not sure about the spelling) - but the inspiration for Little Richard....who was a voyeur I'll get my coat Jo

...You thought right vis a vis Choker and the Funk Bros, m'dear .and yes, Marvin Sr. and Esquerita both liked to sport the odd bit of lingerie. here and there.

I'd leave that coat where it is if I were in your (old) shoes

TONE

[Simsy]

Dudes, youve been watchin` to much,neighbours...........Dudes,how sad

PS,idont want to be called a "camel`s penis".

My daughter watches Neighbours, they never say dudes.

Off topic snipes are what's sad.

Camel Penis?

[Guest]

My daughter watches Neighbours, they never say dudes.

Off topic snipes are what's sad.

Camel Penis?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dude

[Simsy]

...You thought right vis a vis Choker and the Funk Bros, m'dear .and yes, Marvin Sr. and Esquerita both liked to sport the odd bit of lingerie. here and there.

TONE

Found out today that 'Standing in Shadows' is a twin DVD and we'd only watched one. I'm still doubting though there'd be any mention of Mr Campbell on the other disc. Unless anyone knows any different?

Fine for a flamboyant performer like Esqurita to wear hose I guess. But Marvin's dad!? A preacher, who had the temerity to lecture Marvin Jr on the shortcomings of performing Devil's music, whilst all the while dressing like Gloria Swanson!

[Guest Lady Maverick]

I have the DVD set...there wasn't a mention of Choker.

[Sean Hampsey]

Surprised no one mentioned his later output (Candy Apple) in the 70's. Apart from his own "Street Scene" LP he was also behind the superb Albert Jones LP & the 45 "You & Your love"... not to mention the Carla Whitney stuff on attic.

Sean