Mick Howard

As has already been said the only certainty in life is death which comes to us all in the end. For me, the passing of my 'heroes', and there is no question that Mr Babbit falls into that category, makes me ponder my age and subsequently my own mortality. I suppose that's rather sad really but having said that I can still carry on listening to Soul music and Motown in particular and know, truly know that it is right up there along with the very best that popular music has given us over the last 50 to 60 years and I reckon Mr Babbit knew that too. Right on indeed.

Folks

Some photos relating to The CoB at the following.

https://www.chairmenoftheboard.com/Photos.htm

Some other very recognisable faces there too.

Mick

Here we are again saying a fond farewell to one of our heroes.

I think the words 'unique voice' are sometimes over-used (particularly in the present day where to my ears pretty much all chartbound MOBO sounds the same) but that's not the case when speaking about 'The General'.

The 'smokiness' and 'soulfulness' that Norman Johnson put into his vocal recordings is so joyful I become emotional every time I hear them none more so than the early sides like 'It Will Stand'.

I saw Chairmen Of The Board in the mid 70's when their star was on the wane but they still sounded great when they sung Elmore James, You've Got Me Dangling On A String and the other Invictus sides - I was transported back to my early teenage years (before I was 'into' the scene)!

Condolences to his family & freinds.

Mick

Although the underlying reasons for closure may be similar I think that putting this in the same context as the 100 Club is a bit of leap.

One has to remember that Beatin' Rhythm is a retail outlet pure and simple and not a music venue with a rich and varied historical past.

Remember also that it has already moved once before following the IRA bomb so if it has to move again then so be it - those who visit it regularly shouldn't mind as Oldham Street is only round the corner from Tib Street!

Mick

Sad news indeed.

Saw 'The Big Man' a few years ago as a special guest of Jools Holland & Orchestra and although it was many years since his 60's heyday he still had 'that' voice.

Mick

I wonder if my very good old West Yorkshire mate Ady Harley will be there.

Saw Ady when he came back for the first Stafford reunion in 2005...

If you're on here Ady remember the car crash we were in in Siddal after the pub?

Mick

And yet another unique voice joins the celetial choir.

Remember buying this at the 100 Club many years ago - tremendous

Mick

Yes, well it's all been said in the previous posts but blimey what truly sad news so I'll still have my penneth worth...

I first got to recognise the names Wylie and Hestor in about 77 and from then anything with their names on caught my interest - they were truly the voice of Detroit Soul & I was as happy as larry to meet Richard in the mid 80's at Warrington but as usual when I meet my heroes I was lost for words and didn't know what to say. Nevertheless he was very gentlemanly, shook my hand and obliged me with his autograph which now takes pride of place in a frame on the wall.

I'm not a Christian so I won't mention the 'G' word but by heck he's certainly left his mark on this Earth - his contribution is a piece of History which I'm positive will live on throughout Human history....

Mick

P.S. Mark - how about doing your show in chronological order so that people who aren't very familiar with his music can see the sheer diversity and to see how completely adaptable he was to the changing times.