By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 06:44 am:

I just received a message from Uarda, daughter of Mike Hanks. She's planning a book devoted to her father, and is looking for information. I guess this is the best place for her to start!

Her email is Uardanjie@aol.com

By David Flynn (213.1.129.168 - 213.1.129.168) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 08:42 am:

Starting the ball rolling:
BRAX - 221 - MIKE HANKS & THE CONTOURS - CAN I BE YOUR LOVER BOY - CHRISTINE
MAH'S - OOO.3 - MIKE A.HANKS - THE HAWK - WHEN THE LOVE COMES TO BE
MAH'S - OOO.4 - MIKE HANKS - I THINK ABOUT YOU - PART.2.
MAH'S - 1014 - MIKE HANKS - J.F.K. - PART.2.
SPARTAN - 401 - MIKE HANKS feat. DEL-PHIS - WHEN TRUE LOVE COMES TO BE - THE HAWK

Flynny

By Ian W (213.122.74.176 - 213.122.74.176) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 09:42 pm:

Traps the ball, finds the way blocked and passes back to Flynny:

D-Town - 1022 a - Don Heart - A Telegram With Love
D-Town - 1047 b - Ronnie Love - Detroit, Michigan
D-Town - 1057 a - Cody Black - Mr. Blue
D-Town - 1060 a - Peps - This I Pray
D-Town - 1060 b - Peps - Thinkin' About You
D-Town - 1064 a - Buddy Lamp - Just A Little Bit Of Lovin'
D-Town - 1064 b - Buddy Lamp - Next Best Thing
GIG - GR-201 a - Cody Black - It's Our Time To Fall In Love
MAH's - 10 a - Big Jack Reynolds - Made It Up In Your Mind
Starmaker - S1931 a - Deans - (Lady Of The) Caravan
Starmaker - S1931 b - Deans - Chills, Chills, Chills
USD - D-1041 b - John R featuring Tony Newton on bass - Keep Your Baby Home

Mike (co-)wrote and produced these sides and millions more besides being a label owner and publisher etc. etc.

By uardanjie (64.12.107.24 - 64.12.107.24) on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 12:30 pm:

Thanks for the information.

Proud daughter
Uarda

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 01:19 pm:

Uarda,
On a personal note, I just want you to know how much I liked your father. There were times he would come into Tera Shirma for no other reason than to see how I was doing. He always made my day a little better when he stopped in.
Ralph

By Ian W (213.122.158.55 - 213.122.158.55) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 09:10 pm:

Hi Uarda,

Please tell us some about your dad! His name crops up on a lot of records we love and shows he was one important guy in the Detroit music business. His name is mentioned in a few of the other links on this website too!

All the best!

Ian

By uardanjie (205.188.196.47 - 205.188.196.47) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 04:00 am:

Hi Mr. Ian,

I was very glad to hear you and Ralph's comments but there's a lot of information about my father that I don't have so therefore I can't give. I
really was hoping that someone would share some
information with me. My father's story has never
has been told and he was an important figure. I am really not trying to be difficult is just that I am writing a book. So if there is
any other way I can contact anybody with some
information other than soulfuldetroit.com please
e-mail me.


Uarda

By uardanjie (152.163.194.187 - 152.163.194.187) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 01:24 pm:

Mr. Ralph.

Hi! I hope life is treating
u well? I read some where on
the forum you performed at the
Webbwood Inn. That was my father's
club back in the day. Do you remember
any of the groups or improtant entertainers
who performed there in the sixtie?

Please feel free to e-mail me.

Uarda

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 02:41 pm:

Hi Uarda,
When I was playing at the Web-Wood it was owned by a guy named Tony Klinickie (sp? )
If I would have met your father at this time I don't remember, but I doubt it. this would be about 1962. One act that used to come in and perform on a Friday night was a very young Willy Tyler and Lester. Jack Rainwater and The Peppermints would follow us in when we moved on. Maybe some members on the forum can add to this. I wish I could tell you more.
One thing I can tell you about your dad...When I first heard the unconfirmed news that blues singer/musician Jimmy Frazier had died, your dad was with me that day at Tera Shirma and he spent quite a bit of time on the phone callng people to see if this terrible news was true. He was great comfort to me that day because Jimmy was a very close friend of mine.
Good luck with the book Uarda. just stick with the forum and I'm sure people will appear that will be of help to you.
Ralph

By uardanjie (152.163.195.183 - 152.163.195.183) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 05:11 pm:

What i've heard about my father
so far has been very pleasent
and worth listening to. I appericate
it.

Uarda

By jmriley (168.8.21.57 - 168.8.21.57) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 12:23 am:

Hi Uarda,

My name is Jan I lived in Detroit for almost my entire life. I loved Motown and any music directly or indirectly an ancillary of it. It sounds like you have an very heart wrenching story to tell about your dad. You know it is strange that whenever something momentous or historical happens there are always two strong figures that emerge. These two figures overshadow everyone else. For example:Rev.,Dr. M.L. King and Malcom X, Booker T. Washington and Edward Bourgoise DuBois, Diana Ross and Martha Reeves and of course Berry Gordy and Mike Hanks. Can you think of anyone else in Detroit during those times that were so parallel in their ability to bring out the artistic talent in so many artist? Anyone else able to produce on that scale? The sad part about it is that Berry Gordy stands alone. I am not in any fashion discrediting Mr. Gordy, he is a legend, he is truly a wonder but, your dad's story is yet to be told.

By uardanjie (152.163.195.211 - 152.163.195.211) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 04:10 am:

Hi Jan,

Thanks for that parallel thought.

Uarda

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.158.75 - 213.122.158.75) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 08:08 am:

Thanks JMRiley.

Welcome to the forum.

By uardanjie (67.192.35.157 - 67.192.35.157) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 02:32 pm:

Hello Jmriley,

My father had a studio on Gd. River
and Joy rd. was that in your area?

He had another downstairs under the
Grande Ballroom. Are you famaliar with
that area?

Uarda

By Jan Riley (152.163.189.129 - 152.163.189.129) on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 11:57 am:

Hi Uarda:

Yes, tht was the area that I grew up in. You know my sister Dorie frequented the Grande Ballroom all the time. That is where teenagers grooved to Jimmy Hendricks, The Beatles and artist along tht wave length. I was STRICKLY R&B, Motown Forever!
However, the studio that you are referring to was just one block south of the "once majestic" Riviera Theatre. That was the studio where my sister Dorie met Tina Turner. For tht matter she may have met your dad. Dorie loved all type of music. She was far more opened minded tht I was. Have you talked with her. See, her best friend Sonja lived on N. Martindale. She was like a radar detector for anything happening on or near Grand River/Joy area. If anyone knew anything about the Grande Ballroom, then they can certainly imagine how strange it must have been to have your dad with his music and the Grande in the same building.

By Kojo (205.188.209.48 - 205.188.209.48) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 02:40 am:

Uarda,
You should contact Billy WIlson of the Motown Alumni Association. He has a lot of information on people such as your father, and can help you find others that have worked for and with him.

Kojo

By JM Riley (205.188.209.48 - 205.188.209.48) on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 03:44 am:

Uarda:
I talked with someone who knew about your dad. Someone I thought you may be interested in conversating with. J M Riley

By jmriley (152.163.189.129 - 152.163.189.129) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 03:07 am:

Where are you?

JM Riley

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 04:16 am:

JM Riley - I'm also interested in talking to anyone who worked with or knew Mike Hanks. I'm visiting Detroit next month and would be extremely greatful if you would let me know who it is that you've spoken to. My email address is;
acooolcat@yahoo.com
Your name brings to mind "Diamond" Jim Riley - is there any connection?
Best wishes, Graham

By JM Riley (152.163.201.57 - 152.163.201.57) on Saturday, August 10, 2002 - 03:03 am:

No, the only diamonds I know are the ones thatI have. The person tht I referred to was one of Detroit's super sleuths who freq the 20 Grand back in the day. He knows a lot about what was going on when Hanks was running The Grand.

By acooolcat (211.78.28.72 - 211.78.28.72) on Saturday, August 10, 2002 - 04:55 am:

J M,
I didn't know that Mike was running the 20 Grand. I'm sure you know he was shot and killed outside the club in the early hours.
Graham

By JM Riley (152.163.207.54 - 152.163.207.54) on Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 02:29 am:

Bullseye! I know some of the guys who were around at that time. If you still want to talk with them let me know. I check into Soulful D all the time.

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 06:31 am:

JM - I arrive in Detroit around the 5th of September and will be there until the 22nd. Please let me know when I can meet you.
Thanks, Graham

By JM Riley (152.163.189.129 - 152.163.189.129) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 02:47 am:

Graham

I live in the Atl. However, I am a proud native of the big D. My connects are still very much alive and thriving. What are you going to be doing?

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 10:35 am:

JM - I'll be meeting as many people as I possible can and will be in Detroit from the 5th to the 22nd-ish.
These are some of the people I've already interviewed regarding Mike; His widow Gracie, Cody Black, Melvin Davis, Don Davis, Rudy Robinson, Tom Storm and Ronnie Abner of The Peps, Steve Mancha, "Doc" Stephenson of The Magictones, McKinley Jackson, Joe Hunter, Johnnie Mae Matthews and Floyd Jones.
I'm hoping to meet one of The Caravelles in September - you may remember their early 60's 45 called Pink Lips?
Best wishes, Graham

By JM Riley (205.188.201.149 - 205.188.201.149) on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 02:20 am:

Wow you are on a mission/roll. I will let you know about those individuals who you may find
exciting to talk with.

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 01:16 pm:

Graham,

If you do manage to meet up with the Caravelles
member would you ask about them backing up Duke Browner on his Exit single.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.35 - 195.219.7.35) on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 05:18 pm:

Hey Graham,you have certainly met some exceptional people.A friend of mine went over to the motor city a couple of years ago,on his travels he met Johnnie Mae Matthews,and was invited into her house,where he met her and her family.Who I believe were members of the group,Black Nasty.Afterwards he was told that Cody Black lived up the road.So he was taken to a group of guys who were hanging out and explained who he was etc.(obviously not alone)if i remember right,J.Maes relatives took him over.A guy walked up the road a bit,whistled and shouted that a guy from England wanted to interview him.The guy calmly walked back to the card game,when shortly after,a big limo appears with the one and only Mr.Cody Black in person.Amazing,to say the least.MEL.

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 02:01 am:

I will do Davie - but what makes you think he did?
Mel - Detroit is a magical place - it never fails to give me a buzz as there's always the chance of meeting someone that you never expected to meet.
Graham

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 01:45 pm:

They're credited with backups on the label.

There's a copy up for auction on e-bay which
has a scan of the label. Try an e-bay search
for "Duke Browner" and it should turn up - I
think it's classed under their doo-wop section

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 01:52 pm:

Speaking of eBay, some folks appear to have a very strange idea of what constitutes a "Northern Soul" record

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=899180411

You rang?

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 02:56 pm:

Ritchie,

I expect its appearance on a Goldmine CD soon


Fascinating credits though - Cliffie Stone was
Capitol's country division chief and Scott
Turner was the man behind those Baby Ray records
on Imperial (which I've yet to hear)

Another odd thing - I've seen a disc by Butch
Patrick described as "Northern soul" - I've
never been able to find out if this is the
guy who played "Pugsley" or not.

American dealers seem to call anything they think
obscure as "Northern soul" - would you believe
the Standells ? - then again has anyone else
seen the new issue of "Togetherness" where Ian
Levine calls garage bands from Nebraska and
Kentucky country group "northern soul"

Now if I can just find those Alexander Brothers
records and start describing them as "Knight
Brothers soundalikes" I can start raking in the cash from the gullible :-)

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 03:46 pm:

Davie

I'm sure Kev's got his eyes on it already ;)

Wasn't Cliffie Stone a Rockabilly artist originally? (I'll have to check up.)

Re Mr Levine, I'd prefer not to comment but. talking of different definitions of "Northern Soul" (I've probably told this story before but..) a few years ago I was looking after a record shop as a favour to the owner, when two young lads came in asking to exchange a CD they'd bought the day before. They explained "it's not real Northern Soul". It was a typical Goldmine compilation, though I forget now exactly which, so I asked what they meant. "It's not proper Northern Soul..." they replied. "This is all old stuff from the sixties."

Now where did I put those old Barry Blue singles...?

By acooolcat (211.78.28.80 - 211.78.28.80) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 08:29 am:

Davie - I tnink that Duke Browner 45 on the Exit label is from June 1962. I'll be sure to bring it up - thanks for pointing it out to me.
Graham

By Greg (192.147.58.6 - 192.147.58.6) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 02:26 pm:

Re: Ted Cassidy "The lurch"...

I agree that a lot of people have no idea what norther soul is, and I'm always amazed at what people stick on ebay and try to pass off as "northern", but the Ted Cassidy record IS northern to my ears. Forget the arist and the vocal. The backing track is pure 60s northern.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 02:29 pm:

Well, paint my toenails and call me Vera....! Who'd have thought it...??!!

By Greg (192.147.58.6 - 192.147.58.6) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 02:34 pm:

Ritchie (or shall I call you Vera?), have you heard the record?

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 02:38 pm:

No, Greg. Nor are my toenails painted!