By HW (12.110.192.128 - 12.110.192.128) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 06:23 pm:

FYI, tonight @ 10 PM EST

http://www.soul-patrol.com/soul/smokey.htm

and beyond this, we should have a Smokey thread anyway. OK, I'll start: I was once told that in Motown's early days, master tapes were stored in Smokey's basement. They got them out of there once Hitsville became a bit more established - and it became more urgent of course once there was some local flooding. Sure enough, a few of the early masters have signs of water damage. They play fine, though.

Also, early staffers may recall - and please confirm - that even the artists were required to pitch in with chores. Smokey's job was to sweep the studio floor. Anyone recall anyone else's job?

By john lester (213.1.135.252 - 213.1.135.252) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 06:45 pm:

Raynoma apparently made a nice hotpot!!

Who made the tea?

By Ian W (213.122.74.176 - 213.122.74.176) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 10:13 pm:

Certainly not Martha Reeves after her slight accident. No more tea-stained make-up!

By JOHN LESTER (213.1.135.201 - 213.1.135.201) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 11:08 pm:

IAN......dont you dare get Ritchie going....

By Ian W (213.122.158.55 - 213.122.158.55) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 09:04 pm:

Well, there are a lot of records with Tear in the title!

By Keith Hughes (195.92.67.74 - 195.92.67.74) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 10:43 pm:

I kind of feel this thread is, er, unravelling. So:

What's the story behind the version of "Adios my desert love" (yes, the Diablos number) available on certain unauthorised records (I have it on a CD called Candy Bar Boogie) credited to "Smokey & Group"?

Can anyone here Claudette in there? For sure?