Simsy Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Lady Maverick Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Jaco Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
pikeys dog Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 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. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Lady Maverick Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) Here is info on the book: https://www.amazon.com/Motown-Golden-Years-...TF8&s=books Edited December 5, 2006 by Lady Maverick Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Simsy Posted December 5, 2006 Author Share Posted December 5, 2006 Thanks dudes. Wasn't sure if he/they did session stuff, or purely and act... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest TONY ROUNCE Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
pikeys dog Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 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) Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest TONY ROUNCE Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Lady Maverick Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest vinylvixen Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Paul Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Pete S Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 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. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Simsy Posted December 5, 2006 Author Share Posted December 5, 2006 Um...I am a female... I know mate, your avatar is a clue. 'Dudes' just general unisex friendly term. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Lady Maverick Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 You guyz are funny! I thought that, but you have no idea! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Simsy Posted December 5, 2006 Author Share Posted December 5, 2006 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.. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest TONY ROUNCE Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Simsy Posted December 5, 2006 Author Share Posted December 5, 2006 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? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 My daughter watches Neighbours, they never say dudes. Off topic snipes are what's sad. Camel Penis? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dude Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Simsy Posted December 5, 2006 Author Share Posted December 5, 2006 ...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! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Lady Maverick Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 I have the DVD set...there wasn't a mention of Choker. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sean Hampsey Posted December 6, 2006 Share Posted December 6, 2006 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 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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