David Meikle

2650 West Grand Boulevard was destroyed by fire in 1971. https://soulfuldetroit.com/web01-soulfuldetroit/motown3.htm

What would do you do if you were Berry Gordy, now regarded as one of the greats of popular music? Change the formula? That would have been incredibly stupid. He found the most amazing array of talent within the streets of Detroit. Singers, Songwriters, Arrangers, Producers, Engineers and Sound System people. Before and after the glorious era, he released many “non-typical Motown” recordings too. He was not a one trick pony. BTW an excellent contribution by Robb. Sorry for being off-topic, but a particular favourite of mine is Mike Hanks whose contribution to Soul Music is also special. Graham Finch told his story on the link below, where rightly he described him as a “Detroit Soul Legend”. Mike lies in an unmarked grave in Detroit Memorial Park after being shot dead outside the Twenty Grand on March 20, 1970. https://soulfuldetroit.com/web11-mike hanks/mike hanks text/index.html

Worth sharing this cracker from Bobby Wells. Credit again to Kenb.

Nice work Ken. Did not know that Bobby Wells real name was Bob Murphy. Cheers David

Stunning!! I can’t believe that I bought this wonderful album 41 years ago.

How do you pay tribute to this guy ?? RIP Lamont …..genius doesn’t come close.

Sam Gooden RIP. Part of the incredible decade of Chicago Soul….and beyond.

Well done Mike. A remarkable achievement considering the amount of nutcases out there. It says a lot about your commitment and ability to deal with difficult moments. David (a former nutcase)

RIP Lt. Uhuru.

RIP Ken

I was in a house in Detroit where the bedroom was used to store 45’s. None of the records were in a sleeve. There must have been at least a thousand 45’s in there.

Myself and JJ Barnes in Detroit. Couldn’t believe he turned up in that shirt.

This is me with Harry Weinger twenty years ago. Unfortunately the writing on the box is illegible. Can’t answer either question, sorry.

In case anyone missed it, Mike found this article four years ago in Detroit Free Press from May 1966. A Record Is Made with Sweat and Soul BY LORAINE ALTERMAN Emotion filled the control room at Golden World Records out on West Davison. Driving, big beat sounds were coming through the four speakers hanging on the wall above the big glass panel. On the other side of the glass, Edwin Starr was singing full of soul. Along with the studio musicians was his own group of five, scattered around the big soundproof room trumpet trumpet player, bass, sax, drums and guitar. In the control room, Bob D' Orleans (chief recording engineer) pushed his fist into the air in time with the beat. Al Kent and Richard Morris (co-producers (co-producers (co-producers for the session) jumped around, danced, shook their heads in time. Suddenly Bob jumped up from the control board. Something was wrong with the drums. The drummer was inside a baffle a padded wood partition to keep the sound in one place so it isn't picked up on other mikes but the drums were not right. "Got a billfold?" Bob asked. "Tape it it to the drum." Edwin and the others started again and this time the drum sound was softer. Now they made it. After two hours of rehearsing like this Edwin Starr was ready to start taping. A record was in the process of being made. But it was 10 hours later and five songs more before they were finished. And the record still was days away. You probably think it's a pretty simple thing to make a record. Like an artist just has to walk into the studio, open his mouth in song, and pow! it's down on tape. But, that's not the way it is. A lot of hard work by a lot of people you don't hear too much about goes into getting that sound onto records. And, for the record company company a lot of anguish goes Into wondering whether that record Is going to be a hit because hits are the things that pay the rent. For a company like Detroit's Golden World, 50,000 records sold starts bringing in the profits. This firm is about two years old, but they've only had their own studio for a little over a year. Before that, president and founder of Golden World, Joanne Bratton, used to take her artists to Chicago or New York to record. In January, 1964 the company company had its first big hit, "Romeo and Juliet" by the Reflections. It made the top 10 nationally and Joanne decided decided it was time to get a studio together. THE VOICE of Edwin Starr fills the studio at Detroit's Detroit's Golden World as he gets his sounds on tape with J. J. Barnes swinging on piano and Tyrone Hite on drums. Edwin, aiming for songs with universal appeal, says, " 'Stop Her On Sight' appealed to teens and adults. Fellows are looking for girls and girls for fellows." Edwin Writes His Songs "I dont the opening thing. It doesn't mean anything. It's nothing that would catch my ear," says Bob D'Orleans, left, to Edwin as they stand in the control room next to the tape machine. BOB D'ORLEANS works at the control board adjusting the level of sounds coming through amplifiers from the studio. "I cut no sessions without Bob. He's my hitmaker," says Edwin.

Yes HW was based in Manhattan. I only asked him to show me the JJB tape. I’d imagine if one GW/RT was there they would all be there. except of course any that had been nicked!

JJ Barnes “Please Let Me In” was in the New Jersey facility. Had the pleasure of holding it thanks to HW.

It was in New Jersey twenty years ago…..unless it was moved.

Myto name came from Joanne Bratton’s Aunt Myrtle and her cousin Toni.

John Rhys Eddins confirmed that the tape was rolled along West Davison from GW studio.

A VIP and a gentleman. RIP Joe

After my introduction to Soul via mods in my workplace in 1967……. Edwin was the guy who got me into the wonderful world of uptempo soul. ”I am the man” was the song and it was played regularly on Radio Luxembourg in 1968. Once I bought the 45 I found an incredible flip side. The Twisted Wheel introduced me to his wonderful Ric-Tic material in 1970.

From 1969 at the Cobo Arena on the Detroit River

From 1966.

Late to the plate. Stunning interview Graham. Thank goodness or Sam would be consigned to near oblivion.

Popcorn Wylie enjoying Blackbeat magazine.