By r (165.235.75.119 - 165.235.75.119) on Monday, August 12, 2002 - 08:20 pm: |
In the early 1980's, I was at my cousin's home in Marina Del Rey where I met a gentleman named Hal, who was involved with Motown, possibly part of "The Corporation". My cousin, John Smith (actually his name) had worked at STAX in the early 60's and 70's, and was a Vice President over at MCA records for a little while. Anyway, can anyone tell me who actually made up "The Corporation"?
By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153 - 136.2.1.153) on Monday, August 12, 2002 - 08:28 pm: |
I thought it was Freddie Perren, Fonce Mizell, Deke Richards, & Berry Gordy, at least initially. Is it possible that you met Hal Davis? He also produced a lot of the early Jackson 5 tracks, in addition to a lot of great latter-day Motown stuff through the 70s.
Regards,
By r (165.235.75.119 - 165.235.75.119) on Monday, August 12, 2002 - 08:41 pm: |
Yes, his last name was Davis...real friendly guy. I knew he had something to do with the J5, but I guess he wasn't in The Corporation...thanks Ken. I wonder why they didn't get individual credit for all of those great J5 songs?
By steve litos (209.100.86.4 - 209.100.86.4) on Monday, August 12, 2002 - 09:32 pm: |
r-
He co-wrote & produced "I'll Be There" for the Jackson 5.
-Steve
By Livonia Ken (216.203.223.110 - 216.203.223.110) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 03:34 am: |
He also was a producer on a lot of the LA sessions for Motown through the 60s. He was "Motown West when Motown West wasn't cool".
Regards,
By Dennis Coffey (205.188.199.166 - 205.188.199.166) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 12:30 am: |
Hi folks. I did a lot of sessions for Hal at Mowest when I lived in LA. I thought Frank Wilson was in the Corporation as well.
Dennis
By HW (68.37.217.106 - 68.37.217.106) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 01:25 am: |
perhaps you are thinking of 'The Clan' that produced "Love Child"
By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 08:50 am: |
The 'clan' also produced 'living in shame' around the same time, i thought the 'clan' was a sort of predecessor to the corporation.
By Dennis Coffey (152.163.189.129 - 152.163.189.129) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 12:34 pm: |
Hi everyone. I played on Living in Shame. Maybe that's where I got that idea.
Dennis
By HW (12.110.192.128 - 12.110.192.128) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 02:01 pm: |
The Clan production team was created by Frank Wilson and included Henry Cosby, Dean Taylor, Deke Richards and Berry Gordy. BG and Deke were both later in The Corporation.
By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 02:10 pm: |
According to the ASCAP database. the "Corporation" composers of "ABC" and "I Want You Back" were:
� GORDY BERRY JR
�� MIZELL ALPHONSO J
�� PERREN FREDERICK J
�� RICHARDS DEKE
The "Love Child" and "Living in Shame" clan was
�� RICHARDS DEKE
�� SAWYER PAMELA JOAN
�� TAYLOR RICHARD DEAN
�� WILSON FRANK EDWARD
By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 02:17 pm: |
Double-checking, "Living in Shame" was indeed written by:
COSBY HENRY
�� GORDY BERRY JR
�� SAWYER PAMELA JOAN
�� TAYLOR R DEAN
�� WILSON FRANK
I remember both Hank and BG being involved in the production of "Love Child" too.
By r (165.235.75.119 - 165.235.75.119) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 07:55 pm: |
Was there a reason they went with a group identity as composers? All of those songs are top quality (both the Corporation and Clan), Dennis, you must have had a lot of fun back then. I still have my "Scorpio" and "Taurus" 45's, those were excellent efforts on your part...as well as all of those Motown cuts. I have recently obtained two video's that I've been watching every night. "Apollo Presents The Motor-Town Revue", and "The T.A.M.I. Show". Dennis, were you there, or was that a little before your time?
By Dennis Coffey (64.12.107.152 - 64.12.107.152) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 09:15 pm: |
Hi r. I did have a lot of fun back then but that was probably ahead of my time. I backed up the Velveletts and Edwin Starr at the Twenty Grand but didn't go on the road until Scorpio and Taurus. I am still having a lot of fun now. Today I recorded a song at home in my 24 track digital studio. I played all the parts on guitars, Synths, bass and had a ball!
Dennis Coffey
By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Friday, August 16, 2002 - 02:52 am: |
Dean Taylor told me that "the Clan" was locked in a hotel suite downtown until they came up with a song BG thought was a hit.
By r (165.235.75.119 - 165.235.75.119) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 02:44 pm: |
Hey Bob, I read that story too...I think in the booklet that came with the Supremes box set. Well, it must have worked because they came up with hits to spare! It must have been hard to determine which songs went to which group, because it was amazing to see the quality of all of Motown's female acts. Martha Reeve's had a spectacular voice, and I think the Vandella's and the Marvelettes could have made a few of those Supremes songs hits...but there is no denying that one of the sexiest voices ever is Diana Ross.
Dennis, you should release anything you are currently doing, because you have a lot of talent that is just not being seen too much in the industry these days...