Hi. Today on my radio show I interviewed two members of the Magnetics. The Magnetics are the first group I've interviewed from Cabrini Green (the North Side Chicago housing project most famously depicted in the TV sitcom "Good Times"). The group formed in the late 50s and were neighbors and classmates with the Impressions, Billy Butler and the Enchanters, and artists like Major Lance and Jerry Butler. Johnny McKinney was originally from Albion, Michigan and first recorded as a solo artist for Chicago's Mad label in the late 50s and recorded for New York's Clock record label in 1960. Johnny met the Magnetics in the late 60s and became the replacement for their lead who was drafted and killed in Vietnam. The group's first recordings were released in the late 60s on the tiny Sable label out of the South Side of Chicago. The group then cut one more record on Calvin Carter's J-V label (his attempt to revive the Vee Jay label from bankruptcy). Johnny McKinney began working in Milwaukee, and ended up playing on the scene and recording two records there as solo artist Johnny Lemac. Johnny continued to be involved with music and still runs McKinney music on the south side of Chicago, where he sells musical instruments and gives lessons. Andrew Griffin also tells interesting stories about growing up in Cabrini Green. Check out the interview at the bottom of my webpage:
https://www.sittinginthepark.com/interviews.html
Thanks for your interest,
Bob
p.s. thanks to John Anderson for the lead and Chalky for sending me audio files to play during the interview and give to the group members.