By Sandy D (63.209.88.157 - 63.209.88.157) on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 01:01 am:

Out of all the names mentioned in Detroit's Musical history, nobody mentioned Gino Washington. I remember a record called "Gino is a Coward", and I heard that Bruce Springstein recorded one of his songs. Does anybody know which one? I hear he's still kicking aroun Detroit.

By Mark Speck (64.156.67.190 - 64.156.67.190) on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 01:46 am:

The song that Springsteen did in concert (not recorded, most possibly on bootleg) is "Gino is a Coward", retitled "I'm a Coward When It Comes to Love".

Best,

Mark

By Pogo (208.153.180.33 - 208.153.180.33) on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 02:41 am:

The flip side of "Gino Is A Coward" on the Sonbert label is "Puppet On A String". What a great song. It's included in his greatest hits CD "Out Of This World"

Tom

By Joe Moorehouse (152.163.207.201 - 152.163.207.201) on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 03:09 am:

Gino recently played three shows at one of the casinos in Detroit. I wasn't able to go, but friends of mine reported that he was fabulous. Backing was provided by Jeff and the Atlantics, the same band he's used for, oh, about 40 years now. Personal favorite Gino Washington song: I'll Be Around (When You Want Me).

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 03:34 am:

"I'm A Coward" is the original version. It was re-recorded after local DJs didn't like it, and re-titled "Gino Is A Coward." This version was re-released on the Ric-Tic label and became a hit.
"Puppet On A String" was also re-recorded, but the second version is much more similar to the original.
I think David has met him on his current visit.
Graham

By Dave C. (67.104.175.114 - 67.104.175.114) on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 01:42 pm:

"Gino is a Coward" was a big hit in May of '64. However, his first "top ten" hit was, "Out of This World," released on the Mala label in January of '64.

By Sandy D (63.212.131.198 - 63.212.131.198) on Tuesday, May 07, 2002 - 11:55 pm:

Does he still have his own TV show on in Detroit? I think someone said it was either channel 62 or 20 or something. Also, I heard he has a sister who is an actress out in LA. Shirley Washington. Rumor has it she is connected to Holland Dozier Holland.

By Mark Speck (64.158.98.112 - 64.158.98.112) on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 02:01 am:

"Out of This World" is NOT on Mala. It was one of his two singles for Wand.

His release for Mala was "Like My Baby", which also came out on Detroit labels Atac and Do Re De.

Best,

Mark

By Joe Moorehouse (205.188.193.23 - 205.188.193.23) on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 11:41 am:

Out of This World was on Amon first, then on Wand, but as Mark says, not on Mala. Gino's TV show had a good run, but has been off the air for a long time. I don't know exactly what years it ran, but can find out if anyone needs to know.

By DavidC. (67.104.175.114 - 67.104.175.114) on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 03:41 pm:

Geez...sorry about assigning "Out of This World" to Mala but that's what Gino told me a couple of years ago. I guess there are a lot of labels and records to get mixed up.

By Marilyn (67.217.183.153 - 67.217.183.153) on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 03:45 pm:

Hi folks.
I'm Gino's manager. Yes,he's out performing a lot lately. Two casinos & several clubs and festivals. He's as great as ever. I have videos of his Greektown Casino shows. Also clips from his old TV shows.Of course CDs. All his stuff has been re-released now. He also produced MANY Detroit acts and never released them. We're trying to get everything back out,but it takes time. Meanwhile,we're looking for any bookings around the U.S. and Europe too. If anyone has anyplace that will book him,just giver me a call.517-536-0891. I'll try to answer any questions you have also.
Yes,Shirley just moved from Ca. to Vegas. And yes she IS connected to H-D-H. ALL the Washington's are very close friends of their's & work together often.
Marilyn

By Frank Shively-Jively Shively (165.247.189.79 - 165.247.189.79) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 06:16 pm:

He was also one of the best promotion guys on the street.

Frank Shively

By da man (64.12.104.37 - 64.12.104.37) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 06:22 pm:

Shively.Hmmmmmmm!! You cant be......r u he???

U know hoo I meen

By Sis Detroit (67.25.205.167 - 67.25.205.167) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 06:27 pm:

Marilyn, I've had a couple talks with Gino, who agreed to allow me to purchase a video tape of his show of an interview with Eddie Kendrick and David Ruffin. I am ready to purchase the video. Is there a chance?
Sis (Detroit)

By Lawrence (209.100.226.248 - 209.100.226.248) on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 02:21 pm:

Dexys Midnight Runners, one of the most underrated UK bands of the late 70's and early 80's, had a hit single called "Gino" that lead singer Kevin Rowland said was about Gino Washington.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 03:36 pm:

Hi Lawrence -

Actually, this song referred to a different artist - Geno Washington (with an "e") - an ex US servicemen who settled here in England in the sixties.

To be honest, he was no great shakes as a singer, but his energetic stage act made him a popular artist on the club circuit, in the absence of the real McCoy!

By detroit gal (63.85.105.9 - 63.85.105.9) on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 03:47 pm:

fyi Bruce Springsteen sang "I'm a Coward When It Comes To Love" on his Tunnel of Love tour, and did a whole routine where he was singing it to Patti Scialfa, his future wife ...

Bruce was exposed to Gino's song thanks to Dave Marsh, who grew up in Pontiac.

You could still buy a 45 of "Gino is a Coward" in the cutout bins in the '80s at Harmony House, which is where I secured mine ...--Sue

By John Lester (213.122.204.37 - 213.122.204.37) on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 05:06 pm:

I was in Paris last Saturday (aren't we all these days!!) and I saw a CD by Kevin Rowland. I had to take a second look at the cover as it showed him dressed in black suspenders, high heels and a very revealing tight outfit. In case you are wondering, I didn't buy it!

When I was a youngster, Geno Washington used to perform with his Ram Jam Band in East London. (Ilford Palais etc) He used to do things like Get Ready, She Shot A Hole In My Soul, Aint Too Proud to Beg, In The Midnight Hour, Que Sera Sera. Whenever I used to see him, he would always put on a good show BUT I would still want to see the orignal artists cos "Aint Nothing Like The Real Thing"!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 05:59 pm:

John wasn't kidding... I won't waste David's valuable web space with this, but if you want a giggle, here is the pic of the Kevin Rowland CD... (and before you ask why it's on my website - it just happens to be a good seller for me!)

http://www.ritchie-hardin.com/oddcats/apix/k_rowland.jpg

By JL (213.122.201.150 - 213.122.201.150) on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 07:09 pm:

what do you mean a good seller...do you sell it!!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 07:36 pm:

Sure do, John. Don't worry - I can send it in a plain, sealed envelope, if you like ;o)

By Lowell (165.121.214.137 - 165.121.214.137) on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 01:12 am:

Board Re-enabled!

By Lawrence (209.100.226.149 - 209.100.226.149) on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 03:05 am:

Can't believe that picture of Kevin Rowland ! And to think my all time favourite album is "Too Rye Aye" I know he had a serious drinking problem and was homeless for awhile, but what brought this on. From now on it's nothing but Eminem.

By david flynn (213.122.204.235 - 213.122.204.235) on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 09:05 am:

I used to have an Atac vinyl 7" test pressing (one of the six original copies) of Gino's "(We're in a) Rat Race"...wish I hadn't let it go now :-(
Without checking Mr.Rimmer's discography book, and without the aid of smoke and mirrors, here's what I have listed for our hero - any additions most welcome:

ATAC - 101 - DOING THE POPCORN - WHAT CAN A MAN DO
ATAC - 102 - I'LL BE AROUND (WHEN YOU WANT ME) - LIKE MY BABY
ATAC - 127 - LADY LIBERTY - LADY LIBERTY PT.II
ATAC - 1943 - SASSA FRASSA SUE - SASSA FRASSA SUE PT.II.
ATAC - 2743 - IT'S WINTER - FOXY WALK
ATAC - 2828 - I'M SO IN LOVE - FLYING HIGH
ATAC - 2829 - YOU GOT ME IN A WHIRLPOOL - PART.2.
ATAC - 2830 - (WE'RE IN A) RAT RACE - OH NOT ME
ATAC - 2878 - OH NOT ME - HEY I'M A LOVE BANDIT
ATAC - 2930 - COULD IT BE I'M FALLING - I'M FLYING HIGH
ATAC - 3031 - (OH) I'LL NEVER LEAVE YOU - (OH) I'LL NEVER LEAVE YOU
ATAC - 7823 - I'LL BE AROUND (WHEN YOU WANT ME) - LIKE MY BABY
ATAC - 7825 - DOING THE POPCORN - WHAT CAN A MAN DO
ATAC - 7826 - GIRL HERE I AM - DO YOU HAVE THAT SOUL
ATAC - 62743 - HEAVEN MUST HAVE KNOWN - LOVERS INTERLUDE
as GINO THE GAMANISIST
ATAC - 62743 - HEY I'M A LOVE BANDIT - WE GONNA MAKE IT
CORREC-TONE - 503 - GINO IS A COWARD - PUPPET ON A STRING
CREED - 1051 - ROMEO - NOW YOU'RE LONELY
DO-DE-RE - 358 - GINO IS A COWARD - LIKE MY BABY INST.
G & G - OO1 - I LOST YOU GIRL - FLYING HIGH
MALA - 12029 - LIKE MY BABY - I'LL BE AROUND
MUSIC LOCATION - 1002 - LOOK INTO MY EYES - INST.
PERFECTA - 2880 - YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRUE - I LOST YOU GIRL
PERFECTA - 5870 - GINO'S PUSH AND PULL - HEY FOOTBALL
RIC TIC - 100 - GINO IS A COWARD - PUPPET ON A STRING
SONBERT - 3770 - GINO IS A COWARD - PUPPET ON A STRING
W.I.G. - 9005 - ROMEO - NOW YOU'RE LONELY
W.M.C. - 358 - LIKE MY BABY (INST.) - I'LL BE AROUND
WAND - 155 - BABY BE MINE - I'M COMING HOME
WASHPAN - 3122 - WHAT CAN A MAN DO - INST.
WASHPAN - 3124 - DO YOU HAVE THAT SOUL - INST.
WAND - 147 - OUT OF THIS WORLD - COME MONKEY WITH ME
AMON - 90580 - OUT OF THIS WORLD - COME MONKEY WITH ME
above two with The Rochelles with The Atlantics

Flynny