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Sorry, Robb... I typed that addendum late when tired and not fully focused. The other thing I was going to mention is that Al said he sang Lonely Teardrops in a slow, Ray Charles style, so it doesn't seem to be directly connected to Jackie's recording.

It's a bit of a gap between Al Kent recording Lonely Teardrops and Jackie Wilson. I just think Gordy resurrected the song(s) once he'd got in with Jackie via Reet Petite in 1957. My assumption is Chess released the one 45 and as it didn't sell well, the two other recordings stayed in the can. I don't think that's the same Wizard label - the Hal Davis 45. The whole (edited) interview is now on YouTube...

Al talks about his early career and his time with Ed Wingate, and things in between...

You had me worried for a second . Tony's widow said when she first heard it, it was not clear. Maybe it's the Internet. These interviews were done on a cheap cassette tape recorder and a basic microhone that I got from Radioshack in Detroit. After being stored for so long, I'm surprised the casettes still function.

I've edited the video to add notes about the various female backing singers - here's a fresh YouTube link...

September, 2002. He'd starting writing a book, so wanted to keep certain things to himself at the time. Have you read his book - Custodians of the Hummingbird ?

I think nearly all 'Motown' books fail to go into detail about the pre-Motown era and recordings.

I found this ...

Here's a clip of an interview I did with Al... 0 EDIT Lonely Teardrops.mp3

I'm working on another interview and wonder if anyone can shed some light on Al's statements in this short segement, as I can't trace his recording of Lonely Teardrops. Please take a listen... 0 EDIT Lonely Teardrops.mp3

Thanks. The text with label release info' is very weird - I tried to change it without any luck. I'll try and get another interview done soon.

Cheers, Robb - you can see I've just uploaded one more.

Another one rolls off the production line....

Yes - but I'm really focusing on what the Debonaires and The Holidays were involved with. In fact my main focus is on The Holidays, as Elsie gave me feedback on the YouTube video I uploaded recently (Tony Gray interview - she was married to him). She's since clarified which songs The Debs sang background on, as my note gave the impression her group sang on all the songs added at the end. That's not the case. I subsequently asked about any other recordings I could include (I've got to edit it) and she listed a few... and then we got around to her group and The Manhattans. Anyway, as my title is what it is, we can keep on the direction we're on. Thanks again.

Sorry - my reply got merged with the one to The Yank.

Thanks again. Funnily enough, I can't hear anyone aprt from James Epps sing on that one, but the flip-side has backing vocals. Yes - it could be around the time Elsie did background with The Spinners on Atlantic. It's possible her dates/details and mixed up. As she mentioned, she's unsure of what recordings she did.

Thanks - I'd forgotten about Goosepimples (and The Inspirations' version, which I guess is a NY recording). Elsie mentioned 1965 and the GW 45 was in mid-64. Below are two emails I've had from her: We The Debonaires & Holidays did all the backgrounds for The O’Jays,The Manhattans, starting in 1965 for Gene Redd, The Fantastic Four, some with Pat Lewis. Melvin Davis (I must love you) all of Steve Mancha he recorded at Golden World, there are so many, We also recorded almost the backgrounds for The Spinners when they went to Atlantic Records. Just some you might like. I have many more. And in reply to my question about Gene Redd/Manhattans.... Gene Redd called us to do the sessions, I don’t know how Gene was affiliated with these artists, we just did the background work, I’d like to know too!! Gerald Alston the lead singer of The Manhattans remembered us doing their backgrounds, He was inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame also, if he comes I’ll ask him about his relationship to Gene Redd!!This is happening is on September 24th, I’ll let you know what he remembers!! You can see she mentions Gerald Alston, so it's the Carnival group (The Debs are being inducted to the R&B Hall of Fame this month.) Elsie was pregnant in 1967 and stopped singing for a while. Another one I forgot about... must be age.

One of the Debonaires has told me the group worked with Gene Redd and backed The Manhattans around 1965, but I can't see Gene's name on any of the group's Carnival 45s. Does anyone have any ideas? She can't recall any songs. Also, I know of The Prophets' recording, but wonder what else Gene Redd might have done in Detroit in the 60s - most likely at Golden Worlds' studio.

I've uploaded an interview I did with Steve. I had to fiddle with the audio as he spoke softly - hopefuly it sounds OK to you. Here it is...

I emailed Elsie Baker (Debonaires) and asked her about the song. Here is her reply: Yes, that’s Pat Lewis, The Debonaires and The Holidays. Diane never sang background with the Debs, however it’s always Pat, Joyce, Elsie, Dot, Tony, Robert and Butch that did the background vocals for Golden World and sometimes without Pat Lewis. Yes, it was recorded at Golden World.

Glad you like it. I feel blessed to have met these people - and I'm glad that I recorded the interviews.

I have uploaded to YouTube a video/slide show to go with an interviw I did with Tony...

I haven't edited that one yet. Don came over to Windsor, just across the river from Detroit, and we had lunch. The place had some background noise, but hopefully I can dampen that down with the software I have. I plan to get to some of these interviews shortly. From memory, I asked about the early days with Johnnie Mae and Daco etc. and he talked quite a bit about living and gigging out of state and playing jazz.