By PhillyGroove (64.12.97.7) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 08:52 pm:

In 1973, I saw The Spinners live at Curtis-Hixon Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, for the first time. I was in absolute awe of everything about the entire show with the full orchestra backing the group with Phillipe "Soul" Wynne out front. Barbara, Evette, and Carla were backing, too.

Wasn't until years later and catching their shows wherever I could, that I learned that Mr. King was an icon in the business.

Can any of you share some thoughts or anecdotes to help me more fully understand his contributions.

Thanks, as always,

PhillyGroove (Jim Thurman)

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 02:56 pm:

Jim,

Going purely on memory Maurice King led the
house band at the Flame Show Bar all through the fifties. The band did some recording for Okeh
(as Maurice King and the Wolverines) in the early fifties but I've never heard the tracks so have no idea what they're like.

They may also have been the band behind Gladys
Knight and the Pips' first single, "Ching Ching"
/ "Whistle My Love" on Brunswick.

By PhillyGroove (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 04:32 pm:

Thanks Davie,

I appreciate having some background on Mr. King. I just noticed a reference to him as the conductor of the orchestra on "The Spinners Live" album on the "Mighty Love" thread upline.

I wish others would jump in and share some more info.

Thanks,

PhillyGroove (Jim)

By Jim G (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 09:49 pm:

I have a lengthy bio I wrote on Maurice; I'd be happy to post it but it is 2,600 words; I don't know if that's too long a post. If any interested parties email me I'll send it.
There is a brief(er) bio in "Before Motown".

By Bob Clark (216.99.240.232) on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 10:34 pm:

Did any work at chess records

By Sue (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 10:59 pm:

Hey Jim,
Is this the first time you've posted? Jim G is Jim Gallert, who wrote "Before Motown" ...a great account of the jazz and R&B scene before the monolith we all love.

By PhillyGroove (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 11:13 pm:

Hi Sue,

Yes, I'm pretty new around this board, so thanks for the heads up about Jim G. and his book. I'll look forward to reading it! I just e-mailed him to request a copy of the bio he referred to.

I'm a huge Spinners fan as you can see from my post, and I recall watching Mr. King conduct the band for many performances.

Thanks again,

PhillyGroove (Jim Thurman)

By Sue (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 11:30 pm:

Philly Groove/Jim --
Oh I've seen you around before, I meant Jim Gallert.

Jim G's book is about the pre-Motown Detroit R&B and jazz scene ...complete with addresses of where the clubs were, etc. And a whole chapter on the Motown/Funk Brothers jazz connection ...

By RonS (12.251.115.153) on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 01:08 am:

When Maurice King died he willed his personal collection to the Motown Museum. It included a lot of his pre-Motown stuff, including his work with his World War II era all female swing band. The collection includes music arrangements, record albums, and his collection of hotel keys from around the world.

Hopefully one day the Museum will get the funding to do an exhibition.

RonS

By Lynn Bruce (64.53.143.164) on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 10:13 am:

GULP!! I have a shopping bag full of hotel keys that I collected(ripped off) from doing so many one-nighters around America. At the time I thought when I settled down I,d put them all on a board for all to see how many cities I played in. Now I feel like I,d be showing what a thief I was.
I wonder how many other musicians (collected) keys.
There still in the bag.I let them out for air once in a while when I try to match the key to the gig I worked.
No wonder the hotels and motels have switched to the disposable sliding card.
SLAINTE VA, LYNN (former five-finger discount artist)

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.1) on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 10:25 am:

Hey Lynn,
hope you disposed of the striped vest and mask mate(ho,ho).
Mel.

By Jim G (205.188.209.38) on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 07:24 pm:

Sue,

Yup, that was my first post...I'm glad Maurice is getting some attention.
Thanks for your kind words ref. B Motown, Lars and I spent thirty years collecting information, glad people are enjoying it.

By PhillyGroove (64.12.97.7) on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 08:24 pm:

Hi Group,

I just finished reading Jim Gallert's bio on Maurice King. It is excellent. I hope others will take advantage of Jim's offer to share it. Thanks, Jim, for making it available to us. I learned a lot about this elegant musician. Do other Spinners fans remember him?

PhillyGroove

By mhc (172.135.120.240) on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 11:39 pm:

Jim G, I loved your book...

By Jim G (205.188.209.38) on Saturday, December 07, 2002 - 05:10 pm:

Hey, thanks for your kind words; I'll be sure to share them with Lars Bjorn, who actually wrote most of the book. But it was a collaborative effort for sure.

By Jim G (152.163.188.68) on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 12:16 pm:

Just to let everyone know...
Evans King, Maurice's son, has a website dedicated to his dad: mauriceking.org