| Author | Message | ||
  Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 3-Pundit Username: weldon Post Number: 33 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
Hi SD, I just came from a ceremony to honor the Uptown theater,it was on broad street in front of the theater, they are going to restore it,Georgie Woods, the man who made the Uptown, was there, this is a big thing here in Philly, they will still have stage shows. here's a photo of the theater back in the day  | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 4-Laureate Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 170 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.35.81 |
Great shot Weldon!! | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 5-Doyen Username: soul_sister Post Number: 268 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.147.99 |
AHH! Great memories, thanks for posting that photo Weldon! S.S. | ||
Carl Dixon (carl_dixon) 2-Debutant Username: carl_dixon Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.153.219.170 |
Was it anything to do with our visit there last year! Maybe that guy on the bike helped get the ball rolling - do you remember? | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 293 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.238.210.217 |
Nice photo Weldon! I read about that...there was an article printed in the Pocono Record here. I hope that it works out as I have heard that there were many great shows (including the Motown Revue) there. | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 3-Pundit Username: weldon Post Number: 34 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
Hi Carl, it could have been the guy on the bike,(smile) I remember you and David ask me do I think they would every fix the Uptown, and I said it would be nice,but I did'nt think anybody would restore it, I was worng, the city of Philadelphia and the state of Pennasalvina,will work together to make this happen, the next time I see you Carl, we can go to a show at the UPTOWN | ||
Carl Dixon (carl_dixon) 2-Debutant Username: carl_dixon Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.153.219.170 |
I think it is a great opportunity for the people of the city to exploit. I remember talking to the man on the bike and suggesting it was in the people�s hands and with pressure and the right circumstances, it could work. I remember calling into the Fox TV station downtown when I walked from the hotel to the shopping mall and said hi to them as an affiliate employee from London. Would they have covered this story about the theatre already, or could I give them a prod? I could drop them an email and mention that we all stood outside celebrating the past and pondering the future of the building last May (and with all that video footage!!). From that perspective of us, the British fan travelling to Philly to meet you and Bobby,an important musical connection in the city, could be an interesting angle for them to cover! | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 3-Pundit Username: weldon Post Number: 35 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
I think that would be a good idea Carl, | ||
Vonnie (vonnie) 3-Pundit Username: vonnie Post Number: 58 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
Carl, That what a great idea! It would show to the city of Philadelphia that the Uptown is a site that has meaning and nostalgia, not only to native philadelphians but to persons around the world. It would be a great tourist mecca and a boon to the economy. If you need any help, let me know I would be glad to work on such a worthy project. That particular picture that Weldon was kind enough to post is very special to myself. I was at the show shown on the marquee. I was backstage with my friend Lee Garrett and was fortunate to meet all the artists. I believe that Bobby posted a few of the photos from that show on the old SD. I'll never forget the wonderful times that I had at the Uptown and the many great performers who graced that stage. | ||
Carl Dixon (carl_dixon) 2-Debutant Username: carl_dixon Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.153.219.170 |
I have spoken to Fox29 and they are interested (but how much, I do not know)! I have to send them an email with details. Amazingly I know more about the Uptown than they do, which I find interesting. I will keep you posted. | ||
Nosey (nosey) 3-Pundit Username: nosey Post Number: 58 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Vonnie was that show @ the summer of '66 or '67? I was at that show as well. Couldn't get back stage though cause Andy, the security guard, was doing his job that day. (Sid Booker must have been lurking near the back door. LOL!) My girls and I had to hide out in the bathroom between shows as to not get kicked out. Weldon: I wish I had known about the ceremony, I would have been right there! Keep us informed as things progress. | ||
Carl Dixon (carl_dixon) 2-Debutant Username: carl_dixon Post Number: 16 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 82.44.203.80 |
It looks like the theatre has been ear marked for refurbishment by UEDC (Uptown Entertainment and Development Corporation). Their fact sheet informs: "The development plans include renovating the theater into a technology center, artist lofts and office space. Proposed tenants include a comedy club, faith-based institution, high school, record production facility and restaurant." I think this place will be a beehive of talent and given half the chance I would be across there helping and securing my office in the premises!! I really suggest they consider a new talent evening to stimulate the kids into performing on stage. I have received information from the development authorities and feel privileged they sent me the details. I feel there are serious opportunities for the performing arts and music being recognised by this project. I feel it�s �Gonna be a big thing�. | ||
Nosey (nosey) 3-Pundit Username: nosey Post Number: 64 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Carl, this is the 2nd time it's been renovated. It was rehabbed in the late 70s as a theater/club but the lack of parking I suspect was a problem. Then it was a church for a while and then the doors closed I guess in the early 90s. I hope it will work this time. | ||
Carl Dixon (carl_dixon) 2-Debutant Username: carl_dixon Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 82.44.203.80 |
I hope the parking issue is not the reason why this would fail. It would be a shame. Surely public transport or taxis would be perfect. I am heading for central London tomorrow for a soul gig and have no intention of taking the car. When I was tin Philly last year the transport system was reliable, from my point of view - however, I was on a high with excitment just being there. | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 3-Pundit Username: weldon Post Number: 38 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
Hi Nosey, what you say is true, but this is bigger then just the Uptown, they are going to rebuild the whole block, I don't know the plans, but I did here parking is being considered, Nosey, keep the faith, this is 2004, Carl, thanks for all your interest, | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 526 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Afternoon all! This sounds great for Philly. Being a New Yorker, I find that the Uptown doesn't get the recognition that it deserves. I always hear about the Apollo, or the Regal. Rarely does anyone recognize the Uptown in the same manner. Perhaps this will help elevate the status of the Uptown & raise it in the consciousness of more people. It would be nice to see a reunioun type of shot featuring Weldon, Bobby E, Eddie Holman, Gamble & Huff & all of those great musicians, producers & artists of Philly. Perhaps this can be arranged soon. Juice (Message edited by Juicefree20 on May 04, 2004) | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 5-Doyen Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 224 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.62.124 |
That would mos def be a great day in Philly!!!! | ||
Rich (richk) 2-Debutant Username: richk Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.72.3.224 |
Nosey & Vonnie Reading your posts, I became curious as to the flow of the entire show. There are a lot of vocalists on the bill. Did the Uptown house band play behind everybody or did a Motown road-band play behind the Motown performers, while The Uptown's house band played behind some of the others, such as The Artistics. I was also curious as to approximately how long or how many songs would each of the artists would perform. Been awhile, I realize, but having come up catching my favorites a decade later at The Philly Spectrum (OJays, Commodores, Parliament-Funkadelic) or Civic Center (Kool & the Gang, Bootsy & The Isleys) The Uptown shows from that era would have been an entirely different experience, and so as I said I was curious as to the flow of the show. Peace BTW Nosey, Jeffrey Bowen's Mother lived in Philly? Jeffrey too, and which section of the city? | ||
Nosey (nosey) 3-Pundit Username: nosey Post Number: 66 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Well I do know they had a house band, Sam Reed was the conductor. You must realize, I was a teenager and not paying much attention to those types of things as I was busy cutting up with friends but I do remember different axemen taking the stage when different acts would come on but the house band was always there. I do distinctly remember a guy who used to wear a black beret as being a member of the band. Eli or Weldon probably knows who I'm talkng about. On a typical Saturday, we would get there @ noon and watch the movie(s) and see an afternoon show. It would probably last about 2 hours and then there would be an evening show @ 8:00p. They also had a midnight show. (That would be a perfect date going to the midnight show.) I'm not sure which Pointer sister it was but it was the one who first left the group. Her mother-in-law, (rip) lived in the Cobbs Creek area in West Philly not far from the MOVE bombing. I never met the lady but she was a close friend of a friend of my mom's. | ||
Nosey (nosey) 3-Pundit Username: nosey Post Number: 67 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Rich I just rememberd another thing. The shows would last for 10 days commencing on Friday afternoon. We would beat it out of school to see the first show and it was only 50 cents to see all those acts on Friday! | ||
Vonnie (vonnie) 4-Laureate Username: vonnie Post Number: 81 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Nosey, I think that show was in 66, if memory serves me correctly. I had a great time meeting everyone backstage. I took a lot of pictures but alas have lost some of them during all the years that have passed by. I do remember meeting Edwin Starr at the Uptown as well during that period. I did not see his name on the Marquee of the picture that Weldon posted. I can't remember if he was on the show or if he was just there. I almost worked for Edwin, he wanted me to do some secretarial work for him, but my mother said, "absolutly not". | ||
Rich (richk) 2-Debutant Username: richk Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.76.103.45 |
Vonnie & Nosey - Thanks But 50-Cents !!! No Way!!! You gotta be lyin' Either of you see The Parliaments when they were there in '67? Motown/Invictus Producer Jeffrey Bowen was the husband of Bonnie Pointer, the Pointer who went solo. I remember coming home from school and watching the MOVE bombing live on KYW. That was the first live docu-horror I remember watching on TV like that. | ||
Vonnie (vonnie) 4-Laureate Username: vonnie Post Number: 83 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Rich, 50-Cents is correct. I also remember seeing James Brown and The Famous Flames with my date Bobby Eli at the Uptown. Bobby can fill you in on the amount it cost for that date.  | ||
Nosey (nosey) 3-Pundit Username: nosey Post Number: 68 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Yep, it was 50 cents and it was hhhaarrdd scraping it up to! I forget what the Saturday admission was prolly $1.50 or so. I saw the Parliments when they were just simply the Parliments. I saw many, many groups but here are a few: Jackie & the Starlights Vibrations, great great act with a bit of comedy thrown in ala the Coasters The Motortown Review 5 Stairsteps (I was dating a guy from Chi-Town who was stationed at the Naval Base here so we had to see that show)that was in 66. Monitors my first time seeing Richard Street and thinking he was fine..Uncle Sam, please don't take him away......... James Brown, THE BEST SHOW EVER! He had two drummers playing simultaneously and had the Famous Flames with him. Saw him at a nightclub in NJ called the Latin Casino where we got on top of the tables and jammed! (Never witnessed anything like it before or since.) The Fantastic Four Peeked in Patti LaBelle's dressing room and saw her cooking a hot dog on a lightbulb. OJay's were outside playing touch football in back of the theater Deon Jackson Met Marvin Smith of the Artistics and my girlfriend and I hung out with he and the group the next day. The Meters and the Originals were on the same show so my girlfriends and I hung out with Art Neville, C.P and the guys the next day. I have a funny story to tell about my cousin C.P. We were at the motel after the show partying like yard dogs. The phone rings( so he takes the music off and shushes us) and it's his wife calling about him wiring the money home. He played it off like he was just lounging in the room, dead tired from the show. They chatted for a bit and THEN IT WAS ON! I can truthfully say my cousin was always cool and above board in my presence. Ike & Tina Turner, etc. Otis Redding; the show was October, 1967 two months prior to his death James & Bobby Purify Joe Tex Brenda Holloway When we would hear the advertisements on the radio about the upcoming shows the neighborhood would be abuzz with excitement. Everyone would be going and it you didn't go, you had a hole in your soul! | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 5-Doyen Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 236 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.62.124 |
I believe that the date Vonnie was talking about couldnt have cost no more than$7.00, tops, including admission for two, popcorn, drinks and candy, and sitting through TWO shows. The guy with the beret was band leader Leon Mitchell and he used to wear a turban as well. The hose band backed up everyone but each act usually had a guitarist and if lucky, a ryhym section, but more than likely, just a guitarist which was de riguer in those days. In fact, sometimes the house guitarist would make extra money charging some fledgling axeman a "rental fee" to plug into his amp!! | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 422 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.147.99 |
Hi Nosey; I loved hearing that story, maybe you should write a book..LOL! It would be super to see The Uptown open again. S.S. | ||
Rich (richk) 2-Debutant Username: richk Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.72.3.60 |
I would guess that the picture was from the spring of 1966, as that was probably about the only time Deon Jackson's name would have been as big as Stevie or the Vandellas. At the time, Deon had a huge hit with "Love Will Make the World Go Round". The spring of '66 is also when The Monitors had their biggest hit with "Greetings This is Uncle Same". Loved the stories folks, much appreciated. I do indeed remember the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, but I was too young to ever go there. I believe that JB's 'Live at the Garden' album was actually recorded at the LC in '66. I do remember going to the Vet many times in the mid-70's and watching the Phillies from the 700 level for only 50 Cents. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 550 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
SEVEN DOLLARS!!!! Damn, I'd better move to Philly! I can't buy popcorn at a movie here for that price!! The worst part is that the bag is the size that you'd put a 12 oz can of beer in. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 551 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
I still can't get over all that show for $7.00. Flash forward to 2004..... Aretha Franklin all by her lonesome at B.B. Kings.....Standing Room $150....Seated $450!!! I suggest that someone find the rest of the show, perhaps the singers from Vonnie & Bobby's dates to fill the bill! Now, that's inflation...in more ways than one! | ||
Dinelle (dinelle_watson) 3-Pundit Username: dinelle_watson Post Number: 31 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.222.44.167 |
I got four words for you, Weldon: You are the man! That's a great picture. | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 3-Pundit Username: weldon Post Number: 39 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
thanks Dinelle, for your nice words, I will from time to time, post some of the pictures from my collection, I have lots of photos I have taken, when I was at Motown and Philadelphia International records, thanks again WELDON | ||
Nosey (nosey) 4-Laureate Username: nosey Post Number: 75 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Weldon: Do you have any pictures of Dap Sugar Willie from Noooorrrrrrtttthhhhh Philly, the po hoe's pimp!? LOL! (Dap was Lenny (Len-nay from Good Times, the hustler.) If he doesn't have it, there isn't an-nay. (Message edited by Nosey on May 06, 2004) | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 5-Doyen Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 243 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.52.183 |
hey Juice, Yep! Seven smackaroos!! INCLUDING staying thru TWO shows with the GFOS and..we could have stayed all day if we wanted to!!(five shows) Same thing when we went to se the Tempts and about six other acts!!! That was $1.50 a piece for admission plus the goodies for two. Everyone balked when the admission price was raised to $2.50!! BTW,I remember when I used to see Dap Sugar Willie at the Susquehanna-Dauphin subway stop hittin' me up for fifty cent!!!! | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 3-Pundit Username: weldon Post Number: 40 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
here he is Nosey, Dap Suger Willie from North Philly,  | ||
Nosey (nosey) 4-Laureate Username: nosey Post Number: 76 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Eli! You ain't never lied about Dap! He would try to rap (to females) and then ax for some money or come into that restaurant that was at that corner, slide in your booth and try to run a game down on ya! One thing was true, he lived up to his name Dap, short for Dapper. He wore some nice vines. Who knows they might have been "boosted" knowing Dap! LOL! | ||
Nosey (nosey) 4-Laureate Username: nosey Post Number: 77 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Thanks Weldon! I recently came across his album but need a needle so I can't play it. One joke I remember was...... he was so po, he saw a cockroach pull a switchblade on a rat and take its cheese. Do you know how he got his break in Hollywood? | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 3-Pundit Username: weldon Post Number: 41 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
Hi Nosey, I produced the album you have, the name of the LP is Dap Suger Willie, From North Philly, and Dap got his brake from Redd Foxxm | ||
Nosey (nosey) 4-Laureate Username: nosey Post Number: 78 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Weldon! I'm going to get a needle real soon to play it. He talked a lot about his living conditions in the Richard Allen projects. LOL! Er.....ever thought about producing a clean/Christian comedy album? If so, I'm your gal! | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 3-Pundit Username: weldon Post Number: 42 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
Nesey, I'm from Richard Allen projects, I lived there for five years, Bill Cosby also lived there at that time, we were friends, Nesey, I'm not producing as much as I used to | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 584 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Bobby!!! Like Senor Droopy used to say: You know what....that makes me mad. You freaking guys & your history makes me jealous. Yeah, I said it, I said it! JEALOUS!!! That's right...Bobby E...Weldon...Nosey.....all of you & your wondeful stories & photos. That's right, I'm jealous....JEALOUS I TELL YOU!!!! All I got is my Photoshop pictures....I COULDA BEEN A CONTENDA!!!!! Great stuff guys! $7.00, huh Bobby Boy, was I born too late! Juice | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 5-Doyen Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 255 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.52.183 |
Hey Juice, I'll tel you what. I'll go down to my garage, dust off the old time machine and you and I can go on a trip thru time righ to 1965. You'd be amazed at the happnins back then. You're not gonna want to come back! | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 599 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Bobby Although I was only 5 back then, my memories of that time is very vivid. When I look back to then & compare it to now, there's simply no comparison. I can imagine being a teen in 65, I'd have had a ball. Then again, those Disco days circa 1975-83 weren't too shabby either! I'm trying to convince Bill Gates to release one of those transporter thingees....beam me back Scotty.....Mr Peabody......anyone???? |
