Roburt

Yes, and the Tami Lynn on Soul Sounds (70) was played in clubs, just as the UK black Atlantic (66) and Mojo (71) versions were.

Just touched base with Chuck again. CHUCK: Just put a call in to Richie Merritt in Florida we'll be going over the details for the show April 26th at the White Oak American legion. Richie and I have many memories of working together over the many years we've known each other. We have share the stage with some of the greatest performers in the country. One of the greatest memories is when we were both performing in Atlantic City back in the day, Richie was performing at Trump Plaza with the Clovers I was at Trop world with my group The quiet Storm. Like I said we have known each other since the 60s but never did a show on stage together until now. We are both truly looking forward to it and I'm starting to really get pumped up about the I've always been a big fan of Richie. When we were in Atlantic City I enjoyed Richie and the Clovers so much I went back twice to watch the show once alone and the second time with the members of my group. This would be a great experience for both of us and be able to work together in front of our hometown audience .We're hoping that we'll see you April 26th White Oak American legion White Oak PA Richie was in lots of Pittsburgh doo-wop / soul groups in the 60's & 70's. He had a stint in the military (1966-68) when he was based in Europe & performing on USO shows over there when off duty. He sang lead for the Electrons from 68, then moved on to front the Vibrators. After that he had spells with the Drifters, Marcels & the Clovers. Richie was with the Clovers in Atlantic City in the 90's when Chuck was also performing there with his Quiet Storm group. Richie relocated to Florida some time back, he does shows there as 'Richie Merritt & The Gems' featuring a revue that salutes Little Anthony, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson and similar soul acts.

Until around 1969, import soul 45's were quite hard to come by (hence Ian L becoming the big 'I AM' when he brought his big Florida haul back to the UK). You could get a few from Soul City's shop (if you were quick, as they only bought a handful of each title) or you might pick one up off a specialist dealer via their mailed-out auction lists ahead of 69. But access to cheap US import soul 45's only really became really possible from 69 when F L Moore (Leighton Buzzard) joined the game. So till then, 99% of soul 45's played in clubs were UK released things (or US copies ofknown UK released things now deleted that you'd sent away to Ray Averys or Randys for). Jay Boy came into life in 68 but only started putting out NS sounds in 71. They were played though. Earlier (66, 68, 69) the likes of President & Sue were re-releasing things here and those 2nd issues were all played. So just when did OVO become the norm ? ... After all the NS reissues started making the charts I guess. That started from 71 but I can't recall OVO ever raising it's head till much later in the 70's (after 77 ?).

Having attended my 1st soul clubs in 65 & going to niter clubs from 66, I never did get the OVO thing at all. We'd have danced to any version of a 'top soul sound' back in the day ... ... ... coz it was what was 'in the grooves' that counted, not where & when those grooves had left the pressing plant. Mind you, dancing to lots of the pop sh*te spun @ the Casino I would have a lot of trouble with.

Seem to recall that the original Charly release didn't sell out at the time (85) & that copies were around in1986 for around £1 a copy. How it has gone from there to it's current selling price (£150 to £250 / copy) I have no idea. He's about to tour here again though, so no doubt that has increased demand for lots of his old releases, this LP included I guess.

Anybody got a copy of either of these (picture of group also added) ...

FROM CHUCK ... Chuck & Richie -- about our show April 26th at the White Oak American legion (hoping to persuade John Papi to attend too) ... it was in the 1960s when the three of us became long time musical Brothers. Richie Merritt and I both worked with John Papi and we have so many great memories. After the Entrees and I broke up, I joined John Papi and his trio. And that's when I officially met the great Richie Merritt. I knew of his work and his success, but never officially met him until John introduced us -- I believe actually it was at the Panther Room on Route 51 ... then again at John's Cocktail Garage on route 51. I remember when Richie would come in and he would tear the house down and he's still doing that today .John Papi has retired but still a big part of our lives. He was a big part of our careers, and hopefully he will be there on the 26th of April and share some of our great memories. As you will know, in this business it's full of jealousy, larger than life. He goes with an honestly, says it from the heart. Richie and I both love and respect John Papi, as a man and for his tremendous talent. He is one of the best that ever played the B3 organ and quite a businessman. Richie I am truly looking forward to the three of us hopefully being together one more time.

Not an event many of us here will be able to get to, but still thought it worthy of mentioning -- APRIL 26th - east of Pittsburgh

As you can see from the above, the Constellations cut @ Broadway Recording Studios. They were with Gemini Star Records. After David Ruffin was tempted back to Motown with a solo contract, he had to quit performing with his 'new group' the FELLAS. The FELLAS were actually RCA's the Cavaliers (who included younger brothers of some Temptations members). So as not to completely abandon his then associates, he arranged for them to be signed by Gemini Star. The label went under shorty afterwards, so whether the guys ever cut any tracks for Gemini Star is unknown -- but if they had made it into the recording studio, I guess it would have been @ Broadway Recording.

His grave ..

Yes, at least for the last 45+ years .... https://www.mixcloud.com/spurs1961/richard-searlings-clifton-halls-rotherham-all-nighter-the-music-the-memories/

R.I.P. Snowy; a top Donny soul guy has left the building ... I got to know Snowy when still in Donny in the late 60's. He used to visit my house in Hexthorpe with some of his mates who were soulies / skinheads. This was the period when the Attic Soul Club was transitioning into a skinhead haunt. His mates, mainly, wanted to plunder my ska / reggae collection but Snowy was always more interested in my soul stuff. I got a new (better paid) job, so was able to move to a bigger house in Balby and Snowy was still visiting me even then. He bought many of my 'better' NS 45's off me (having a young family, I no longer went to niters & going to the Torch, Casino was of no interest to me at all). He was a regular in Wigan and knew all the top current sounds. Thus things like my issue of Tobi Legend, my Artistics Okeh demo and many more singles changed hands. I left Donny and others (Paul Temple, etc.) were also soon plundering my collection, but (on & off) I stayed in touch with Snowy. I was living in Worksop when he had his (1st ?) record shop. I recall a tale he told me about an old guy who came into his shop to try to sell a bunch of classical albums. Snowy explained that they were of no value, but thumbed through the pile anyway. He happened on an LP that featured a violin on the cover ... WHY'D YOU GET THIS, IT'S NOT LIKE THE OTHER ALBUMS IN THE PILE ... Ohh, that was a mistake, I saw the violin & thought it was classical music, but it wasn't, I never played it after the 1st time .. needless to say, Snowy bought just that one LP off the guy. R.I.P. Snowy .. Another encounter with Snowy comes to mind. Early 70's -- the place to go to get SOUL SOUNDS 45's back then was Boylans in Conisboro. I went over to get some top Wheel sounds at a decent price & Snowy was in the shop too. He asked what my current 'new' top want was & I told him it was Marvin Smith's new Mayfield Records 45 (so it must have been early 71), he noted my comment and went about his way (I think he'd also bought a few 45's that morning). Snowy was an ever-present about town & on the scene as far back as then.

It wasn't just Johhny Nash & Jad that used Broadway Recording Studios back then ...

Pittsburgh had quite a few good blue-eyed soul singers (Chuck Corby, Jimmy Beaumont, etc.) and up there as one of their best was Johnny Daye. Johnny had 2 x 45 released on Jomada, so he was part of the Pittsburgh / New York connection. However his best outings were on the local Blue Star label (the tracks being cut @ Gateway Studios) and his later efforts for Stax. At Stax, he cut "Stay Baby Stay" ....