Roburt

Can't find any live footage of the Chryslers (even though they got to appear on TV shows back then) ..... ...... having to make do with this .............. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzViAoySzD8

Tommy Vann & the Echoes ...... not back in the 60's though ........ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnuTMdiRsbs

The group who were closest to the members of the Chryslers back in the day was Frankie & the Spindles ........... ....... Frankie himself (& his family) lived on Schroeder St. in west Baltimore back then ......... ....... Kenny Hamber helped school these guys in harmony singing in their young days ........... ...... here they are playing live some (many) years later ......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvaIWLoETOE

A local group that the guys out of the Chryslers knew well .............. ......... playing a local TV show date ............. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO3_eFmKk04

The group played gigs at most of the local venues that hosted live acts from the mid 60's through to the early 70's. Here's a couple more pics of the group & ads for the clubs they played .............

A piece on the group I have written up (with much input from Larry Jackson) ........ The Chryslers were a mid 1960's Baltimore based black group who teamed up with a white backing band (the Monarchs / Fabulous Monarchs) to play gigs around the city. They soon gained a following and as a result got to cut some tracks at Joe Secola's Biddle Street studio. These recordings resulted in the sought after track “Because I Love You” being released by Jody Enterprises (JE) on their Jody label. Unfortunately, their records never really broke out of Baltimore at the time and so they never managed to make an impact nationally. However, the Northern Soul scene picked up on their Jody 45 and so interest has been maintained down the years in the activities of the group and its members. In 2005, members of the group got back together for an enjoyable reunion. The guys that formed the group were from west Baltimore. The members (& some of their music biz close friends) grew up in the same small part of the city. Randy Hammond lived on the 2500 block of Edmondson Ave, Charles 'Standback' Graves (maybe John Stanbeck) of Frankie & The Spindles lived on the 2500 block of Arunah Ave, Andre Towles, Wendell Amprey & Marshall (all of the Chryslers) lived on the 2500 block of Lanvale and Larry Jackson lived on the 2500 block of Calverton. A Whatnaut dancer (his name now forgotten) lived on the 800 block of Whitmore. All of them living within 200 yards of each other. The other member of the group was Bertram Murray. Lots of the guys listed went to Calverton Jr High School (PS #75). Larry and Randy began singing there as a duet in 1962. By 1964, they had added Amprey, Murray and Towles. Other members of the Chryslers attended Edmonson High School & Forest Park High School. Larry Jackson's cousin (from Cherry Hill) was one of the original members of the Royalettes. The group won a Douglas High School Talent Show around 1962. The Royalettes (the other members being from west and north Baltimore) went on to become internationally famous recording artists, having first 'dumped' Larry's cousin out of the group. The original quartet that formed the Chryslers consisted of Amp, Bert, Larry (dark glasses soon became his trademark look) and Randy, the lads coming together in school around the mid 60's. Larry recalls how Andre just seemed to 'melt' into the group to create the heralded "Chrysler" quintet. They played around with their singing, not really taking it seriously. Larry first got to meet members of the Whatnauts during his time at Calverton Jr. High School. They were a fraternal club that evolved into a dance troupe and a singing group. In addition, some of their members would go on to be in the Camaros (Horace Cole, Purnel Adams), the Vondells (James Lindsay), Black Ice (Melvin Miles) and other groups and bands. They, including Larry and his school friends, all either played or sang in several outfits together. Other outfits they soon met up with (on the local talent show circuit) included Jimmy Briscoe and the Little Beavers (Cherry Hill and Popular Groove, west Baltimore), the Vandells and the Softones (Forest Park / Edmondson Village in west Batimore), They were really just messing about but that all changed one night when they went along to the Blackjack Club (10 East Lafayette Ave). Larry (from the group) tells how they got their start in the big time at the club....... "The Chryslers got their '1st public stage performance' at The Blackjack Club. The Chryslers were just patrons of the club and were in the men's room drinking cheap wine & smoking one night. We started singing, "What's so good about goodbye" (a Miracles song). One of the members of the Whispers (one of the Scott twins) was in there with us and heard us singing. He asked us to come onto the stage when they finished their break to sing with their band. We were ecstatic and our one song performance brought the house down. The Whispers told us we needed a band, a manager and to start performing properly everywhere. That was how we met Chuck Weber, who united us with the Fabulous Monarchs Band. We later went on to record with them." The Blackjack Club was the original teen discotheque club in Baltimore, it would later become 'the Scene' around 1969. The club had opened around 1966 and soon featured a house band plus lots of visiting star acts. The house band in 1967/68 was the Hitchhikers. This band's featured lead vocalist was Kenny Hamber, who on occasions would be helped out (on duets) by Kitty Lane (ex Ru-Jac recording artist). After the night that the group had performed at the Blackjack, the Chryslers soon got organised. They played lots of shows locally in competition with other similar young local soul acts. The two other local acts who there was the most (friendly) rivalry with were Frankie & the Spindle, with the other being Tommy Vann & the Echoes (Tommy Vann would split with 'And The Echoes' and lead the Professionals after a while). There was a lot of rivalry between singers from west and east Baltimore but the spirit of competition between them was a lot healthier than the warfare that exited between the street gangs based on either side of the city. The rivalries between the groups were mostly fuelled by their 'groupie' followers. Other than personal joking around and to establish 'bragging rights', they never thought anything negative of any other local singers or musicians. If the groups performed at a local venue (such as the 20 Grand or the Crystal Ball Room — another Odell Brockington acquisition in later years) that was mainly patronised by locals, the advance billboard posters and radio promotional ads would almost always instigate a competitive rivalry. Because of that, the musicians involved had to back up the hype or loose face. Very often, the billings would pitch east Baltimore outfits against west Baltimore groups. There seemed to be less involvement from guys in Cherry Hill and north Baltimore, singers / musicians from there usually getting mixed in with outfits based in the east or west of the city. The Chryslers and Monarchs Band were soon landing bookings across the city. They played venues such as the James Brown Motor Inn, Embassy Room / Pimlico Room, Biddy's, Club Venus, Blue Gardenia, Ronnies Place, Royal Roost, Club Al-Ho, Club Casino and the Carousel Lounge. Larry recalls that the Carousel Lounge, as racial integration grew in Baltimore (and before Odell Brockington bought the place), became a very high-end 'Pimp' club. It had a circular stage located 'behind' the round bar and attracted a partiucular type of customer. Once a year, the club would host the mid-Atlantic region crowning of 'The Mack' (King of Pimps). The Chryslers / Mascalaros also performed live at (Bill) Dotson's Club, the Ambassador Room, Gwynn Oak Park (home of Buddy Dean's teen dance show), the Wagon Wheel Inn, the Bird's Nest, the Alcazar Ballroom (The Chryslers being the first non-white band to perform there) and the Baltimore Civic Centre. Further afield, they played the Zoo Club in Brooklyn. They also got to appear on the Lloyd Thaxton Show (TV dance show) and on Kaleidescope (TV dance show). Even though the Jody record label had minimum distribution, copies of the outfit's singles did get a fair amount of radio plays back in the mid to late 1960's on the likes of WSID Radio Station. Both sides of the Jody single ("Because I Love You" and "I'm Not Gonna Loose You") were also played on WSID, WEBB, WWIN & WCAO. The Chryslers tracks were recorded at Joe Secolas' Biddle Street studio (Joe being one of the three partners in Jody Enterprises). Back then, nearly every Baltimore recording studio was staffed by guys (engineers /producers) who lacked national experience or vision (though George Massenburg made his start as an engineer in a local studio). Local labels also lacked the financial strength to properly market the records they put out, very few making decent national distribution deals. Because of that, many local soul artists headed off to Philadelphia and New York to progress their recording careers. Keny Hamber and Winfield Parker ended up cutting for Arctic Records in Philly, whilst Bobby Starr (of BS & the Versatiles was recruited to lead the Intruders after Little Sonny quit the group in 1970). Other local singers who headed out of the city to record included George Jackson, the Persians, Jay Wiggins, Frankie & Spindles, the Whatnauts and Tommy Vann. Flite Three studio, located on East Cold Spring Lane in the city, was another of the city's studios. Larry Jackson's last ever recording session was there (in the mid 70's) when he was a singer with the group, 'London Fog'. During his time in school and on the Baltimore club scene, Larry got to meet and know many of the locally based soul singers and musicians. One guy he knew back then was Charlie Dixon who managed 'the Young Generators' and Grand Jury,. The production company he was partners in ran the 20-Grand Club where the Young Generators were the 'house band' for a period. Frankie and the Spindles and the Chryslers both released their first solo record in the same year. Frankie's single came out first and did much better (commercially) than the Chryslers effort. Larry (back then) lived two blocks over from one of the Spindles and he knew most of the group's members socially at times. During that year, all the guys involved were still in High School but they had been already been singing together for several years before they got to enjoy their initial record releases. Other local groups that the Chryslers knew then included the Grand Jury, the Vandals and the Tempros. They shared billing on shows with Tommy Vann and The Echoes (later with Tommy Van and the Professionals) and Larry also has recollections of Julius Brockington (of JB & the United Chair) though his memory is somewhat hazy about Julius' outfit. On two shows the Chryslers did with Tommy Vann & The Professionals, the promoter attempted to 'poach' Randy (Randolph Hammond) from the Chryslers to become a solo act. A similar attempt was also made to take Andre Towles from the group. Andre was approached backstage with an immediate contract offer to leave for Philly. The idea of heading off to Philadelphia was tempting for Andre but he refused and stayed loyal to the group. In the late 60s / early 70s, the Chryslers teamed up with the Mascalaros and the combined outfit was managed by James West. James in conjunction with Larry's brother Leroy (who sang with the Admirals and acted as a consultant to the Chryslers), and a close friend, Charlie Dixon (manager of "Grand Jury" band) formed a production company but the new teaming never really promoted too many projects. One weekend, the Mascalaros were booked to be the opening act at the Club Venus on a show headlined by the Dells and the Miracles. But because they were not in the musician's union, they weren't allowed to perform. Their manager James West, with help from one of the Dells, secured them another gig that same night at the Carousel Lounge as support act for the Manhattans. The group headed straight over to the Carousel Lounge, went immediately into the dressing room and warmed up (as they changed into costume) by singing "Follow Your Heart" (the Manhattans song). Members of the other group heard them singing and were so impressed by the local's own rendition, they told them to add it to their set and the Manhattans wouldn't do the song in their own set. The Chryslers had soon hooked up with the Monarch's Band back in the mid 60's and they would go on to become 'the Chrysler Movement Plus' and then 'the Chryslers with the Mascalaros'. Members of the original and later incarnations of the group got back together for a reunion in Baltimore in the summer of 2005. One of the later group members, Steve Scribner ('the Scrib' as he became known) was still performing on stage. The reunion provided a moment for great bonding and sad farewells. Another later group member Darnell McManus was unable to join them for the group reunion but his presence was felt at the meeting. Harold Woodland was there, representing Lamont Davis. It had been Harold who had introduced the group members to Lamont back in the 1960's. Lamont handled lead vocal duties on "Because I Love You" in 1967, so becoming the first of the 'next generation' of Chryslers members. Also present at their reunion was Joe Vaccarrino (author of BALTIMORE SOUNDS book) and he let them have a copy of the book. Looking through its pages they were remined of other singers and musicians that they had performed with back in the day. During those times, many personal friendships and promotional connections had developed with the likes of for the Royalettes, Bob Brady & Concords, Frankie & The Spindles, the Softones and guys who would go on to join famous outfits like the Temptations and Miracles. Down the years, there had been 12 members of the Chryslers in total (the original 5 Chryslers and 7 new generation members). There had also been the two different bands that the group had toured with (The Monarchs and the Mascalaros) plus two bands (the Vondells and the Camaros) that formed after being encouraged to do so by members of the Chryslers. In addition to all that lot, their was also (briefly) a girl trio from Edmonson village that performed on one show as the Chrysler's sister act. Members of the group all thank those people that made it possible for them to break through in the music business back in the 60's. These include :- Mr & Mrs Breznicky — managers / sponsors/ promoters /co-producers / songwriters and parents to three members of the Monarchs. Andrew Breznicky helped in composing “Because I Love You” and “I'm Not Going To Lose You” plus he bought most of the equipment used by both the band and singers. Mr Breznicky was a skilled guy and he built the 4 headed microphone stand the group used to great effect. Norma Breznicky was like a Mom to all 15 members of the combined outfit. Ronnie Breznicky — member of the Monarchs. Lead guitar, vocals and composing. Residing in North Carolina. John Gerhardt — member of the Monarchs. Rhythm guitar, vocals and composing. Sadly now passed away. Fran Breznicky— member of the Monarchs. Manager, keyboard player, bass guitar, vocals & arranger. Still living in Maryland. Patty Breznicky— member of the Monarchs. Go Go dancer, production assistant. Now living in Taneytown, MD. Perry Winchester Sr & Jr. — Assistant manager to the Chryslers. It had been Mr Winchester Sr, who introduced the Chryslers to Mathew 'Chuck' Weber. Chuck then placed the Chryslers together with Mr Breznicky and so set up their teaming with the Monarchs. It had been his son (Perry Jr) who had heard the members of the Chryslers singing at a Church Talent Show back around 1964 and had set the whole process in motion. Mathew 'Chuck' Weber — A principal in the formation of JE (Jody Enterprises) who had the label that the combined outfit recorded for (Chuck unfortunately passed away in 2010 after a successful career in the video and music Industries). Dave Shapiro — Manager /sponsor / promoter /co-producer / clothing warehouse owner. He was the primary wardrobe supplier to the Chryslers and Monarchs. Chuck Weber, Dave Shapiro and Joe Sokolas created Jody Enterprises, Inc. ( plus the JE recording label) and recorded The Chryslers and The Monarchs on their label in 1967/68. Joe Sokolas (Secolas?) — Manager /engineer /promoter / co-producer for JE plus theChryslers and Monarchs. Joe was the chief recording engineer, technical consultant and third founding member of JE. Additionally, he toured with the musicians after they recorded their singles and functioned as their sound engineer on live performances. Joe was also a Senior Sound Engineer with WJZ-TV in Baltimore. Wendell Amprey — member of the Chryslers. He handled vocals, wardrobe design and choreography. Brother to Walter Amprey (their co-manager.) An original member of the Chryslers, he recommended both Bert Murray and Andre Towles as possible singers in the group. Wendell (along with Randy Hammond) created most of the 'performance & stage-manship' of the Chryslers. Wendell went on to be very active in Christian Missionary Ministry work in Tulsa, OK. Andre Towles — member of the Chryslers. Gifted vocalist in the Chryslers who passed away on March 16, 2007 at the young age of 58. Andre had been called up for military service during the Vietnam War years, just months prior to the groups' recording session. Randy Hammond — member of the Chryslers. Gifted vocalist, wardrobe designer and choreography. Along with Larry Jackson, he conceived the idea for the Chryslers. Randy and Larry had practiced singing together since the 1950s. Randy, along with Wendell Amprey, had created most of the 'performance & stagemanship' for the group. Marshall Bertram Murray, (Judge Murray, Esq.) — member of the Chryslers. Vocalist in the group who holds degrees in multiple Disciplines, performs speaking engagements, and currently is a Judge in Wisconsin. Larry Jackson — — member of the Chryslers, the Enlights & London Fog. Vocalist, choreography & songwriter. Along with Randy Hammond, he conceived the idea for the group following on from the pair's childhood camaraderie. In the recent past, he returned to his first love of music and is once again composing original songs. Lamont Andre Davis — member of the Chryslers. Vocalist and 2nd generation Chrysler. He recorded on JE with the Chryslers and the Monarchs. The co-lead singer on "Because I Love You", he was fatally injured in an auto-accident in March 1994. He was survived by his wife, two sons, three stepsons and grandchildren.

Dave's other 45 ... released on Johnny World's NY based label ..........

Got it the day the CD came out !!!! Waiting patiently for Vol.2 now (hope the 1st CD sold well enough).

On the subject of dead singers turning up for shows .............. just got a flyer for a Gil Scott-Heron gig at the Jazz Cafe (..... OR NEARLY AT LEAST) ........ ..... Gil Scott-Heron 'Re-Envisioned' Monday 9th September The Jazz Cafe is honoured to present an exclusive re-intrpretation of Gil Scott Heron’s music ...... ...featuring long time collaborator Brian Jackson, world famous drummer Mike Clark and M1 from Dead Prez.

........... MANY THANX Good to learn that ...........Eighteen With A Bullet --- Pete Wingfield ..... is a big East LA lowrider track !!!!

Emory & the Dynamics' tracks must have been popular on that LA scene. Another of their cuts ("It Sure Would Be Nice") that was included on a similar comp CD ............ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq5114qvcbQ

Another Emory & the Dynamics track featured on one of these CD's -- "A Love That's Real" ....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3pAdTN13XU

Another track off one of these releases: Emory & Dynamics ............ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnrQ6kOt50o

Is there a web site where all the tracks on these (boot) compilation CD's is listed ?? Made to meet demand from the LA lowrider scene, they certainly seem to sell OK as at least 15 different volumes have now been compiled & put out. Info on quite a few here ............. https://www.allmusic.com/album/lost-soul-oldies-vol-2-mw0000616135 https://www.allmusic.com/album/lost-soul-oldies-vol-5-mw0000088584 https://www.allmusic.com/album/lost-soul-oldies-vol-6-mw0000092298 https://www.allmusic.com/album/lost-soul-oldies-vol-8-mw0000090372 ........ AND .......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTcbXv0vEpE ...... AND ........ https://www.amazon.com/LOST-SOUL-OLDIES-VOL-15-VARIOUS/dp/B000F9JKM0/ref=pd_sim_m_1 I have a couple of the volumes (bought in the US years back) but would like to know which Volumes feature which tracks.

Was a very big record on the MS scene from the day it was originally released (over 24 years ago). Still has many fans & can fill the dance floor at events even now.

Some of the acts were given posthumous awards, whilst others were presented (the Temptations for instance) with their award ahead of time at a show they were undertaking. Family members accepted some awards on behalf of some singers who have passed (David Ruffin's family members being one such case). BUT, the awards are highly rated so the likes of Martha & Vandellas, the Dramatics & members of Enchantment + the Marvelettes traveled over from Detroit with others coming from different cities. Dazz Band, Sly, Slick & Wicked, Ohio Players & Hesitations members attended in person too.

A few pics from the ceremony (posted up on Facebook by S.S & W's John Wilson ............

I'm much rather listen to 100 'mid tempo magic' tracks than just one stompershite cut, but we're all different I guess.

Seems that some of the present cast are getting a bit restless & are wanting to move on. So the producers have organised 'open-casting' days at the NY theatre where the show is playing. Casting starts on Sept 13th. .. ALSO ....... a touring version of the show hits the (US) road next year. Casting for the folk who will appear in that will take place in Chicago (Oriental Theatre) on Sept 14th. Touring show is expected to open next April.

Label is of course from Gary Indiana ..............

. and this seems to come 2nd in popularity ........ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idbPdCTjrWQ There stuff seems to be really popular with collectors on the 'East LA soul scene' (the lowrider lot that put out all those bootleg CD's of obscure 60's soul cuts).

This track from the outfit seems to be their most popular on youtube ..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG4q7S_ke44 The track you're talkin bout forms the tuva side of this single. SHS book says this was a 1969 release.

Personally, I like (& buy) nearly all the Tom Moulton remix stuff. The originals are great to have (MUST-HAVES) but lots of the newer mixes add an additional dimension that is good to have as well. Tom will be involved in a 'slightly different' project in the near future ..... ........ an old skool / new skool thing on newly cut tracks that he will add his classic mixing skills to.

As you found it in Calif, probably a 12" remix version pressed up in limited quantities and sent out to a few select radio DJ's. If it had been played by a couple of those radio DJ's & it had taken off with their listeners, it would probably have gained a 'true release' as a Motown 12" Disco Single. The other side of the 45 ("Born Again" - 54285) was put out on a Motown 12" Disco single but it was coupled with "Tailgate" from 21st Creation (#0006).

Well it took Smokey a long time to come in on lead vocals so I guess he didn;t really want to sing the song. Daryl certainly did a good job at 'standing-in' for him. I certainly did 'enjoy it'. THANX for posting it up.