By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 03:05 am:

OK Millie...you were going to tell me why the ladies are laughing at me these days.I'm not sure if laughing is an inaccurate assesment or not. Jerking me around seems like a be discription. Bad Karma I'm assuming.

By Millie (207.148.197.36 - 207.148.197.36) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 09:16 pm:

Ralph: First of all, the ladies are not laughing at you, they're laughing with you! You have such an infectious laugh it makes people want to make you laugh just to hear your laugh! You're a very warm, goodhearted man...maybe it's the women you're attracted to that are the problem, or maybe you're not looking in the right place. Sorry to have posted this on the site, but you asked, and I answered! You're the best, and don't forget it! Look in the mirror and love what you see.
Millie (like a sista)

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 09:27 pm:

Baby girl, you sound like some sort of love-lorn columnist. So do you think I have been in error in trying to date all the girls in the massage parlors???

By Mark Speck (65.58.50.191 - 65.58.50.191) on Sunday, June 02, 2002 - 07:16 pm:

Hi Tony, and welcome aboard!

If I may ask, why did you guys change your name from the Reflections to the High and Mighty for your third ABC single?

I LOVE both "Just Like Romeo and Juliet" and "Like Adam and Eve"!

Best,

Mark

By recordboyusa (208.61.5.193 - 208.61.5.193) on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 05:24 am:

"Escape From Cuba" by the High and Mighty got HUGE radio airplay in Miami for two weeks -- and then was quickly pulled off the air!

It first charted at #50 on WQAM, soared to #39 the following week (9 July 1966), and then rapidly disappeared. Considering Miami is Havana north, I shouldn't be surprised!

Great record, though, and one that brings back so many memories for me.

Jeff Lemlich
The Limestone Lounge Florida Music Forum:
http://pub64.ezboard.com/blimestonelounge

By David Flynn (213.122.200.249 - 213.122.200.249) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 07:27 pm:

"Escape from Cuba" also gained a UK 7" release at the time on H.M.V. Mind you I've only ever seen one finished stock copy of it, and only a couple of promo copies.

Flynny

By acooolcat (218.217.145.81 - 218.217.145.81) on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 02:08 pm:

Mark, I know that Tony had left The Reflections by the time they recorded Like Adam And Eve.
Graham

By Mark Speck (65.56.216.122 - 65.56.216.122) on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 05:33 pm:

OK, thanks for the info, Graham.

Best,

Mark

By Sue (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 07:53 pm:

Hey has anyone seen this Golden World clock up for sale online? Unfortunately bidding's over -- sorry I didn't post this earlier.

Wonder who put it up for sale? It's at:
http://www.mastronet.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot%20Information&LotIndex=22924

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 08:22 pm:

What a FANTASTIC picture Susan.

WOW!

I can't thank you enough!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 08:30 pm:

Wow, Sue - what an item! Rather beyond the means of us mere mortals, I fear, but a snip at $1,433 for such a piece of musical history. I wonder who bought it...?

By Sue (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 08:33 pm:

Yeah and maybe some other Golden World items will pop up on this Mastro Net?

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 08:45 pm:

I wonder if our intrepid newshound can find out any more on this? The listing page was notable in its lack of detail regarding the identity of the buyer and seller. Makes you wonder.....

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 08:58 pm:

Reading through again, I thought that description of GW had a certain ring of familiarity. Let me quote from the auction description:

"Golden World" was a record label set up by Detroit businessman Ed Wingate, in direct competition with Motown. The company proved to be a serious contender, with hits from The Reflections and Edwin Starr. In 1966 Berry Gordy bought the "Golden World" name (which he then shelved), and the existing masters, most of which were also locked away for safety.

Now let me quote from another source:

Ric-Tic and Golden World were two labels set up by a Detroit businessman called Ed Wingate, in direct competition with Motown. The company proved to be a serious contender, with hits from The Reflections and Edwin Starr. In 1966 Berry Gordy bought the Golden World name (which he then shelved), and the existing masters, most of which were also locked away for safety.

You'll find the latter at
http://www.ritchie-hardin.com/detroit4.html

Should I sue for plagiarism and ask for the clock as an out-of-court settlement?

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 09:04 pm:

Ritchie - how nice to see your words somewhere else, connected to this sale. I wonder if the purchaser was influenced by them and a decision made!

By Sue (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 09:05 pm:

Wow, Ritchie! Now you can join me and the Funk Brothers -- you know what it's like to be ripped off ...

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 09:20 pm:

Sue - not for the first time, nor will be the last, I fear!

Maybe I should be like the Australian cartographers in future... always include a deliberate mistake, then the origin can be clearly proved if the work is republished elsewhere!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 09:23 pm:

Sorry - the link is
http://www.ritchie-hardin.com/soul/detroit4.html
(I forgot the subdirectory!)

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 11:49 pm:

For what it's worth, I have no recollection of a twenty foot clock at Golden World. If they are suggesting that this clock was hanging outside the facility on Davison, in reality there would not have been room for a clock of this size from what I can remember.This could be a scam. Someone want to enlighten me here. I could be wrong I suppose but I don't remember anything like this.

By Sue (205.188.209.48 - 205.188.209.48) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 11:52 pm:

Ralph --

The clock is 20 inches, not feet ...maybe some of our Golden World alumni can eyeball it and see if they recognize it ...

By Ralph the idiot (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 11:54 pm:

OH!!! So sorry!!! I'm fighting a sinus infection and I read it all wrong. Twenty inches...NOT twenty feet. I can be a yutz at times.I still don't remember the damn clock though, but at least it's existence is a little more realistic now that I got the measurements right.

By Sue (205.188.209.48 - 205.188.209.48) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 11:55 pm:

Sorry to hear you're sick! Yeah a 20 FOOT clock --I know Ed Wingate was known for living large, but that'd be a sight to see, cruising down Davison!

By Sue (205.188.209.48 - 205.188.209.48) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 11:57 pm:

p.s. Berry Gordy would've bought Golden World just to get that clock off the street!

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 12:00 am:

I had visions of some sort of huge Salvatore Dali clock draped over the building. Must be all the antihistamines I'm taking.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17 - 12.2.196.17) on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 06:11 am:

I have heard that there was a similar clock inside Fortune Records, with the Fortune name on it of course. Does anyone remember that?

By Flynny (213.1.130.8 - 213.1.130.8) on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 06:18 pm:

Has anyone got a spare (!) one of those ceramic mini-Motown building models, which were used as trade presents/display in the '80's?
I have a picture of one somewhere...must dig it out for y'all.....

By Sue (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 06:31 pm:

I gave mine to an ex-boyfriend, to my everlasting regret. I may still try to get it back.

By Ade apologising (193.129.220.205 - 193.129.220.205) on Thursday, August 01, 2002 - 11:28 pm:

That wouldn't be such a bad thing if he had a 20" clock.(sp)

Sorry, gutter level humour I know, but Hey! If John Lester can get away with it....

hows that for Non-PC Mike?

By Sue (64.12.97.11 - 64.12.97.11) on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 10:30 pm:

Hey y'all,

Good news about the Golden World clock ... I have a line on who bought it. Can't say yet, deadline issues, but you'll be able to visit and view it right here in Detroit, Mich., where it should be.

Don't ask me any more! I'll be able to tell all in a few days.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 10:37 pm:

Thanks Sue -

Hope this isn't just a wind-up...

No, I kind of knew you'd be able to put a finger on the clock.

By john lester (213.1.132.55 - 213.1.132.55) on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 08:50 am:

Trust you to come up with that Ritchie.......LOL

Mind you, I reckon that news might be SECOND-HAND!

HA HA HA HA HA HA

By Sue (152.163.189.129 - 152.163.189.129) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 01:30 pm:

Hey y'all -- can finally reveal the whereabouts of the Golden World Clock. It was bought by an east side record shop owner up on 9 Mile -- Melodies and Memories. So it can be seen there by anyone. My colleague had come up to me and asked where Golden World was and what it was, so he had research help.

http://www.detnews.com/2002/metro/0208/06/a02-554586.htm

And here's a guy you all know talking about royalties:
http://detnews.com/2002/entertainment/0208/05/e01-553765.htm

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 04:59 pm:

Sue

Thanks for the update and the final revelation. I'm sure everyone will be glad to hear that the clock has not strayed too far, and will be enjoyed by many visitors. Could even become a tourist attraction in its own right, especially among visiting crazy Brits!

By Sue (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 05:08 pm:

I'm sure he'll be glad to see you! The question not asked was -- who sold it to him?

By LTLFTC (12.245.225.79 - 12.245.225.79) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 05:12 pm:

Definately a big thanks for the update. I stop in there once or twice a year; I look forward to checking that out.
Steve K.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 05:30 pm:

Actually, the question was asked - we just didn't post it on the Forum. Minds were working nineteen-to-the-dozen trying to guess its origin. Any clues, or is it classified?

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 06:00 pm:

In my studio I have a clock that has the face of a Motown record. I would love to have the Golden World clock on the wall next to it.

By Sue (64.244.93.44 - 64.244.93.44) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 06:03 pm:

No, not classified -- I'll have to ask the guy. I think it was a case of, the writer who did the story wasn't up on it, and didn't realize that part of the fascination is, who's got that stuff and is offloading it?

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 06:06 pm:

Ralph

When I read the first sentence, I thought you were gonna try and auction it on the Forum...

If you did, I'm afraid I'd have to report you to the Moderator!

Sue

It WOULD be interesting to hear whose wall the GW clock no longer adorns ;o)

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 07:10 pm:

Ritchie,
I understand that the moderator here can get downright testy when someone trys to sell something.

By Ian W (213.122.19.4 - 213.122.19.4) on Saturday, August 10, 2002 - 10:23 pm:

Sue and all,

What a wonderful story! So strange, it couldn't have been made up! (thinks ...mmm... Makin' Up Time). Perhaps the clock's new owner could produce a limited edition miniature of the clock for us pundits? It could even play a tune. I suggest Edwin Starr's 'Time'. Over to you Ritchie and John! Ralph, if the clock mechanism is of the pendulum type, would it be the swingin' kind?

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 12:16 am:

Ian

For me, it was the story of a fabulous find.

For more on the story of Edwin's "Time" and "Running Back And Forth" stay tuned to SoulfulDetroit.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 12:35 am:

John Lester

Some digging today spotted your name against a 45 in Detroit City Limits.

It is the elusive Golden World 45 EW115 "Stompin crazy leg" by Ed Wingate & the Modern Times

John, What how does record sound?

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 01:06 am:

Ian,
That would be appropriate since The Swingin' Kind WAS recorded at Golden World.

By John Lester (213.1.132.221 - 213.1.132.221) on Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 08:17 am:

Can I be honest and say, it really didn't hit me at all......


Maybe I should play it again and see if 25 years later, I think the same

By Ed Wolfrum (165.247.230.15 - 165.247.230.15) on Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 10:13 pm:

Hello Gang:

Last week Bob DeOrleans called me about the GW Clock...we spent a half hour talking about that silly thing. In the process we had these rememberances:
1. It was a noisy thing and once was mounted above the reception desk when you walked in the door.
2. Both Bob and I hated that clock and it's intermittant clunking noise.
3. Despite the fact that it supposedly had a sync motor (locked to the power line), it never kept good time.
4. Bob finally convinced Ed Wingate to move it outside...over the front door.
5. Berry promptly removed "The Clock" when he purchased Golden World and renamed it "MOTOWN STUDIO B"
6. Despite the official re-name, all of the insiders, engineers and musicians continued to call it GOLDEN WORLD!!!
Now where I know where the stupid clock is on one of my trips over to Assumption Grotto, on the east side, I'll stop there and tell the store owner about the clock and what a "CLUNKER" he purchased.

Pax,
Ed

By David Meikle (213.122.68.188 - 213.122.68.188) on Monday, August 12, 2002 - 07:40 am:

Dave Rimmer has given me a picture of the building as it was in the seventies and there is an empty mounting above the door.

Thanks for an amusing story.

By Ian W (213.122.52.225 - 213.122.52.225) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 10:24 pm:

John,

The Modern Times 'Happy Man' isn't too bad - I heard it played once or twice on my travels. (No, not in a lift!)

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 10:30 pm:

Ian -

I'd agree, it's "not bad", but IMO not in the same league as the earlier titles.

By Ian W (213.122.44.226 - 213.122.44.226) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 09:21 pm:

Agreed, Ritchie! Is it a genuine Golden World record though? The record is dated 1973! (Fingers crossed!)

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 09:26 pm:

I'll leave the confirmation to the expert discographers here, but in my understanding yes - it's a late addition to the label catalogue, but quite genuine. I think though, if it wasn't for the GW connection, we wouldn't even be talking about it now. Just my opinion.