By Caleb (209.245.114.229) on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 10:54 pm:

Sue,I've enjoyed your posts over the last few weeks.What is your background?I read you were a journalist,in what capacity might I ask?Thank you,Caleb

By Music FAn (198.81.27.10) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 12:01 am:

Yeah Sue..it's your turn to share who you are..
We love your wit and your posts..

Music FAn

By Friday (209.245.113.219) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 12:27 am:

Yes,Sue step up to the plate.Your posts are outstanding!!Delightful-your a joy!!

By STUBASS (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 12:31 am:

O.K. SUE; YOU GET MY VOTE TOO!

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 03:22 am:

Cue Sue!

By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 09:00 am:

Hey youse guys, I'm hardly undercover here! The proof lies in the many hyperlinks, often posted by David or someone else, of my stories.

I am posting here as myself and not a (clear throat) representative of any multi-corporation, thus ...

But if you need more, well ...

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 09:39 am:

The fans have spoken Sue....DISH!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 10:12 am:

C'mon, Sue - who are you?
KevGo

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 10:34 am:

Whit-all of this fuss, you better post The Detroit News about yourself before forum members start SCreaming.



Regards,
Ken

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.24) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 01:03 pm:

Sue,Sue,just who are you,We all like the articles that you post thru,So come on Sue and tell us the truth,we all want to hear it from you,Oh Sue,Sue,why dont you come on down and tell us your news,we really want to hear it from you.MEL(Must be sung to My Coo-ca-choo to fully realise how pathetic Iam getting)Sorry Ralph Dont try to get me to record for Terra-Shirma mate.(mel is appearing in one flew over the Cuckoos nest shortly).

By Friday (64.157.66.83) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 01:51 pm:

Sue we dig you!!

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 01:53 pm:

Mel,
I've heard worse that by some miracle became hit records. Hang in there dude....but I'll call you!

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 02:08 pm:

Mel, was Coo ca Choo a hit in the States? Sadly I know the song.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.24) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 02:12 pm:

Nice one Ralph,I always knew you were a true Diplomat at heart.By the way Ralph,if you dont mind me asking,any news about the new venture that you got together a while back regards the producing side of things.I hope all is going well on that front.Many thanks.MEL.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 03:27 pm:

Mel,
Thanks for asking about the production side of my life at present. Things seem to be going rather well on that front. My partner, Teddie Morrow, and I have entered into an agreement with John Rhys ( which will include none other than Harry Balk ) for an album release coming up sometime in November. Tentatively titled Trackmaster and the Doctor, featuring Teddie Morrow, the album is a collection of things Teddie and I have done over the last few years. The initial respone on the demo CDs sent to various people has been positive. In fact Fred Saxon calls it " New Old School ".I'm sure much of my Motown influence is evident in the music. In the event things go well I have been advised by John Rhys to start thinking about putting together an act to support the CD.Teddie is an incredibly strong and dynamic R&B singer and I only want the best for him.I already have a commitment from Tom Ayers, the very talented guitar player we have used on all our sessions. We refer to him as Sir Thomas. And get this......My new old friend Bobby Eli has expressed an interest in coming on board. I suppose much depends on his studio schedule, but this would be a gas. Yesterday I spent an hour on the phone with old band mate and former Rare Earth drummer and lead singer Peter Rivera.To my absolute joy, he has agreed to join the band.Besides myself playing keyboards, I am looking to get as a second keyboardist Jerry Corbetta of Sugarloaf fame. Jerry is the writer of Green Eyed Lady and other songs and an incredible keyboard player. So far I haven't filled the bass slot. Gee...I wonder who I might go after for that?????? Filling out the group will be three back-up singers...Elina Raskin, Sara McCardle and maybe Nancy Jones.
I'm also looking for a 4 piece horn section.
Mel, this is all in the very early stages, but that is what is going on to date.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 03:41 pm:

Ralph,

I'm keeping my fingers crossed everything goes
well with the Teddy Morrow project.

Wonderful news about Pete Rivera and Jerry Corbetta - I really liked Sugarloaf and he's a very underrated musician.

Incidentally how do you pronounce Pete's real name ?

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 03:50 pm:

RALPH; KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. I HAPPEN TO KNOW THAT PETE ATTEMPTED TO SELL A PROJECT TO MOTOWN IN THE EARLY 80'S, BUT TO NO AVAIL. HE APPARENTLY DIDNT FIT THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC NEED AT THE TIME. IF YOU MAKE IT TO THE STUDIO WITH YOUR CURRENT EFFORT, PERHAPS YOU CAN ENLIST MR. RUSS TERRANA ( A TRUE "HALL OF FAMER" IN MY BOOK) TO ENGINEER THE PROJECT.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 03:52 pm:

Thanks Davie,
I've seen Jerry play many times. He is presently in the Rock and Roll All Stars along with Peter. He never fails to blow me away with his playing. Peter's last name..Hoorelbeke...is pronounced Ho-ril-beck.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 03:56 pm:

Stu,
Russ has already participated in the project with some of his great mixes. There is a song on the CD...Skit Skat....which is pure Russ Terrana. Regarding Pete's 80's Motown deal....all was set to go and then Berry changed management and Pete was pushed aside in the shuffle.

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 03:58 pm:

RALPH; KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. I HAPPEN TO KNOW THAT PETE ATTEMPTED TO SELL A PROJECT TO MOTOWN IN THE EARLY 80'S, BUT TO NO AVAIL. HE APPARENTLY DIDNT FIT THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC NEED AT THE TIME. IF YOU MAKE IT TO THE STUDIO WITH YOUR CURRENT EFFORT, PERHAPS YOU CAN ENLIST MR. RUSS TERRANA ( A TRUE "HALL OF FAMER" IN MY BOOK) TO ENGINEER THE PROJECT.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 04:04 pm:

Ralph -

Sounds great (well, reads great, anyway!) "New Old School" - mmm - like the sound of that! I really hope this comes off for you as I can only guess how much work and how much care has gone into it. (Just like in the days when people cared about what they were putting together, I'm sure.)
Best of luck with it all, and do keep us posted.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.35) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 04:10 pm:

Ralph,fantastic news mate,a lot seems to be gelling by what you have said.It goes without saying Ralph,you know the score totally,and with your superb experience through out the music world we all know what a success it will all turn out to be.Mr.John(nothing but love)Rhys,And I am sure I have heard the name of Mr.Peter Rivera,course I have,Rare Earth as you state.Mr.Balk etc,etc.Hey Ralph,I love that expression,New Old School,says it all for me.Mr.Saxon,your fine self included,Mr.Ralph(Ivory)Teranna on key boards.Whats your vocals like Ralph?Bobby Eli,I cannot believe the sounds I have from the Rare/Northern Soul Scene that Mr.Martin is on.If only I had taken a music diploma or something all those years ago,instead of Playing Togga(football)Boxing,and Chasing the so called babes.Mind you Ralph,you sampled a piece of my astute musical forte previously,yeah,I know get the ball and gloves back out.The Rhythm Section your assembling sounds the buisness.Hey,listen to me Ralph,5 minutes talking to you and Im the Arranger,Writer and producer.You dont need me telling you what a A1+ Superb all-round finished article it will be,Seeing your Moniker on it,is enough for me,Anyway Ralph,Appreciate it for taking the time out to update me on things.This may be,Sorry,this will be the start of a whole new piece of history in the making,go for it Mr.Teranna.(alias,the guy with the Midas Touch)MEL.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 04:28 pm:

Well you're giving me a lot to live up to Mel old pal. All I can tell you is I'm giving it my best shot. Not sure about the Midas Touch moniker though.....Maybe pewter??

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 04:30 pm:

Thanks Ritchie,
Yeah, it was a hell of a lot of work. I'll keep you posted as this unfolds.( or folds )

By TD (64.157.187.110) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 05:04 pm:

Count me in

TD

By HW (12.110.192.128) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 05:26 pm:

Back to the topic in hand:

HEY SUE - Look, I had to post my 411...

so... GET WIT' IT!

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 06:24 pm:

Sigh, OK ...

Born in Philly, lived for three years on the same street where Cameo Parkway was, which is fitting. Moved to Detroit as a tot, as a teen my heart was set aflame by Detroit radio, especially WKNR and Scotty Regen. Saw the Beatles, Supremes and Tempts live before I was 14. I thought everybody had radio, and a local music scene like we did. Always wanted to be a writer although I had no idea in what form or why. I wrote 10th grade paper on the history of r 'n' r, which should have been a clue to self.

Studied English at college, wandered into Creem Magazine after that and to get me out of their hair, editors had me translate a story in a French rock magazine on heavy metal (metal hurlant) into English. Made self indispensable to editors, was hired.

Stayed and loved it as a laboratory of creative writing, although it was hard to see colleagues like Lester Bangs self-destruct. Finally I jumped to the Detroit News in the '80s, after my publisher had died and it felt like Creem's moment had passed.

Love the immediacy of newspaper journalism and the incredibly rich history and reams of untold stories in D-town.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.62) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 06:30 pm:

Hey Sue,your quite a Lady(andthensome).

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 07:19 pm:

And we are extremely fortunate having you contribute to the old forum Sue.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 07:31 pm:

Sue - So you gave up Philly for Detroit. Glad you decided to stay. You do great work.
Sis

By Nish (66.119.33.135) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 07:36 pm:

Philly for Detroit, CamPark for Motown. Sounds like the best of both worlds to me! And if I've never said so before, THANKS for "Women of Motown" (Undoubtedly not the first thanks you've gotten on this!). Sounds like a fun career!

By Mark Speck (64.158.96.49) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 08:49 pm:

Nice story, Sue. This forum, with the heavy concentration of Philly and Detroit folks, seems to be tailor-made for you!

Interesting that you worked with the great Lester Bangs--helluva writer and music fan. Too bad his excesses got the better of him.

Keep up the good work!!

Best,

Mark

By Sue (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 09:08 pm:

Thanks Ralph, Sis, Nish ...

Mark, I shouldn't say Lester self-destructed; he did self-destructive things but was on the road to health when a bout of influenza took him down. He was a joyful person, and I don't think that came through in Cameron Crowe's movie "Almost Famous" although it depicted him fairly well. The overwhelming thing I remember about Lester (apart from him yelling at me, mock angry, that there was "NO SUCH THING as writers' block, just START TYPING!") was his constant smile, and laughter. I think women saw it more than men, but he was the merriest, kindest-hearted guy.

If/when we have a soulful Detroit gathering, I'll tell my Lester/Bobby Womack/Ronnie Wood/David Ruffin story. It was the first week I worked at Creem, I got to tag along with Lester, Bobby and Ronnie to a party at Ruffin's. It was recounted in a recent Lester bio, a night to remember.

By Caleb (65.59.106.48) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 09:29 pm:

Sue,very impressive background.Thank you so much for sharing it.Your the complete package/brilliant!!Caleb

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 10:23 pm:

And a great story it is. I want to hear that story again Sue. This time, I want all the details. :o) David was/is my favorite Classic Temptations.
Sis

By LTLFTC (12.245.225.79) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 11:43 pm:

Don't forget Sue's excellent book "Women Of Motown", which should be required reading for all forum-ites.
Steve K.

By Friday (65.59.111.169) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 11:50 pm:

Is this true,"Women of Motown" authored by Sue I don't know her last name?I am definitely interested in picking it up.Where would I get it?Sue your keen(no pun intended-Keener)one-liners are too much.An admirer,Friday

By Caleb (65.59.111.169) on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 11:53 pm:

Agreed!!Outstanding sense of humor slash wit.Where can we get that book? Caleb

By Friday (64.157.77.202) on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 12:36 am:

Sue,where are you?Are you copping sweet Z's?

By Julian (205.188.209.38) on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 02:10 am:

Wow! I read you all of the time in the paper!

By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 08:41 am:

Yes I was copping Zs, Friday ...you can order "Women of Motown" from amazon.com or alibris.com -- both have a page describing the book -- or most Borders or Barnes & Noble will order it for you. It came out in '98 so you have to order it usually as opposed to just finding it on the shelf. It's on Avon Books.

Or if you're in Detroit -- maybe I'll join forces with Marilyn and S.R. who wrote the "Detroit Sound" picture book, and have a mutual book-signing party.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 11:17 am:

Sue:
I thought you were the same person who wrote "Women Of Motown." Amazing book, wonderful work, great job well done.
I would love to contact you regarding the work I'm involved with. Like HW, I work in the reissue field and have worked on different projects involving the music of Jackie Wilson, Lee Rogers, the Fabulous Peps and Andre Williams. If there is "general email" address you have please let me know. Otherwise, you could contact me through HW.
Peace,
KevGo

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 11:43 am:

Kevgo,
Just hit the hyperlink ...