By Steve Robinson (207.74.133.103 - 207.74.133.103) on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 09:58 pm:

The organ thread is back...

Just pouring over some Jimmy Smith liner notes ("Organ Grinder Swing") and came across a reference to Detroit's "Flame Show Bar" which is mentioned alongside Smalls' Paradise and the Philly Red Carpet Lounge as an "organ room."

Where could you hear cats kick the B-3 on a regular basis in the mid 60s in Detroit?

I've seen pictures of Earl Van Dyke with many Funk Bros. in the Chit Chat Club around this era.

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: Is there a club in Detroit today that has a house B-3 and regular organ trio gigs?

Steve Robinson
that Hammond guy from the Tera Shirma thread.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 10:16 pm:

Steve,
As a young musician I went to the Flame to see Bill Doggett. I must have been extremely inexperienced because this was my first encounter with a B-3. Doggett had colored lights at the bass pedals of the organ. Between shows I introduced myself to him and in the conversation I asked him if the organ was specially made for him so that his footwork on the bass pedals would be visable. He looked at me and smiled and said " Why no son...that's a Hammond B-3 ".
I was so young and naive.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 10:29 pm:

your honesty shines like a beacon ralph.

that's one of many facets which make your contributions so enjoyable.

By Keith Rylatt (195.92.168.164 - 195.92.168.164) on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 06:13 pm:

Hi Ralph From the era of the Flame Show Bar, do you (or anyone!) know anything about Sax Kari ? He had a couple of records out in '59 as the Sax Kari Orch. on Van Ca & (Robert West's) Contour. Also did John Powers of Sidra, have a brother called Mike, who owned the Fontaine label in '59?
Finally !!!!! Did Mike Hanks have a brother called Paul who had a 45 out on the Coat of Arms label? Thanks Keith

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 08:16 pm:

Keith,
Sorry, I can't help you on any of this. None of these names are familiar to me.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17 - 12.2.196.17) on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 04:10 am:

Marilyn will know about Sax Kari. She was in the same office with him in Detroit and has some vintage pictures of him. He's still performing in Florida, I believe, under another name. Kari's biggest hit was "Daughter That's Your Red Wagon" on the States label in '52 or '53.

If I'm not mistaken, the John Powers of Sidra is Johnny Powers (real name Pavlik), who was a rockabilly artist in the late '50s and recorded for the Fortune, Fox and Sun labels. He later worked for Motown for a short while.

By Keith Rylatt (195.92.194.13 - 195.92.194.13) on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 07:55 am:

Fury Thank you for the info. much appreciated, I am in the process of researching for a book about Detroit's non Motown music scene, here in the UK there is a fanatical passion for, let's say the `Solid Hit Bound` more popular, stringed mid 60's Soul and I am trying to `upgrade` some of the earlier stuff. A record from my all time Top 5 would have to be Joe L's `Please Mr Foreman` on Clissac, closely followed by `Forgive Me Darling` by the Ohio Untouchables on Lupine.
Can you, or anyone help me with a release on 3 L's titled-`Love, Peace, Joy` water damage has obscured the first name of the artist, who's second name is O'Del. Could be Gospel looking at the title? Thanks Keith

By acooolcat (211.78.28.80 - 211.78.28.80) on Wednesday, April 03, 2002 - 04:23 pm:

Hi Keith, Mike Hanks had two brothers, but neither of them were named Paul.
Graham