By Vonnie (152.163.188.68) on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 09:44 am:

I just caught an interview on my local "Today Show" on NBC 4 here in New York. There is a new book out called "Motown, Music, Sex and Power". I caught just a small portion of the interview because I just came in from taking my shower. I did not get the writers name. He spoke about the rivalry and in some cases dislike between singers at Motown. He said that Diana Ross tried to use a car to run over Gladys Horton while she was walking across the street with a blind girl. And how Diana refused to be in the same room with Marvin because she was pregnant and he was smoking pot. He talked about the control that Barry had over all the business and how the singers were never payed what they should have been payed. He talked about how Barry told some acts that their records were discounted to keep them from receivin their proper compensation. Motown was involved in every aspect of the business, they did their acconting and taxes, represented them as their management company. He talked about how acts were not signed if they did not sign the contract in front of Barry, he never allowed anyone to leave with a blank contract. He touched upon the fact that during the 70's the Jackson 5 kept Motown in the business, because Barry was essentially not interested in the Music any more. Barry was concentrating on Movies and pushing his lover Diana Ross into the acting arena. The Jackson 5 came along and pushed Motown to the fore front without much help from Barry.

I am sorry that I did not get the name of the Author, but I will surely get the book.

Vonnie

By Common (209.2.55.143) on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 09:52 am:

Hello Vonnie,

The author's name is Gerald Posner & this book was discussed in a previous thread. This book is more like a compliation of previous Motown books & rehashes the same Motown stories. Save your money & take it out of the local library, if it's available.

Peace!

By Eli (151.197.5.118) on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 09:53 am:

The author is Gerald Posner and it loks like it would be a must for all of us Motown buffs.

By RD (65.132.76.54) on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 10:11 am:

Not a complete rehash, the Diana Ross/Gladys Horton incident is an eye opener as is the revelation that Eddie Kendricks pulled a gun on one of the Temptations. I'm sure the book has more of these juicy tidbits.

By Common (209.2.55.142) on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 10:15 am:

Hello RD,

The Diana Ross/Gladys Horton incident is discussed in Mary Wilson's book.

Peace!

By RD (65.132.76.54) on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 10:18 am:

Then you're right Common, Posner's book is nothing but a rehash of other books.

By Julian (205.188.209.38) on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 12:43 pm:

Yeah, most of those stories I've read before. How can it be said that the J5 did not get much help from Berry (not Barry). I thought he co-wrote most of their early hits?
I'll bet this book has fat type and is double-spaced!

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.90) on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 12:52 pm:

I read the book this weekend...if you read Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves, Raynoma Singleton and Berry Gordys' books then you basically have it except for the chapter about discounting records to the distributors(cut-outs).The company resold the return records, at a discounted price, to the distributors and pockited that money:No royalties on those records to artists or writers.I don't think that practice would be unique to Motown.

By SteveS (68.41.251.33) on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 09:22 am:

Here's a review frome Slate that compares Posner's book to SITSOM. I don't think it's gonna be real popular around here - it says that Posner does a better job of capturing the Motown story than Paul Justman. Uh-oh.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2076709/

By Gary Rosen (12.234.25.217) on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 02:44 am:

The Slate review of Posner's book sets up the same strawman that some reviews of SITSOM unfortunately used. SITSOM was never intended to be a comprehensive look at Motown, but was simply about giving the Funk Brothers their due. At least Slate gives proper credit to Jamerson ("defined the electric bass as a musical instrument"). But they should have been more aware of previous Motown books and that Posner's is (at least based on what I'm reading in the forum here) a cut-and-paste job.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.38) on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 08:32 am:

I would beware... of anything this GERALD POSNER may intend to feed us with anything he purports to say AS FACT.

In recent past, it is well known he has a gendered a propensity in writing 'fiction', BS lies, and of any his (acute)incensive diatribe he has written to the contrary, notably falsehoods... of ANYTHING he purports to be of any TRUTH.

It is a proven fact, that this man POSNER has slandered and has conjured up NUMEROUS anomalities in (his) recent works, that of his alledged investigation(s) into the KING and KENNEDY assassinations, such as "KILLING THE DREAM" and most notably "CASE CLOSED".

Of these two fallacies which POSNER had scribed into books, they were found to be riddled with innuendos, falsehoods, slander, and disinformation, in a manner as such, of his pathetic attempt to 'ingrain' into the majority of (intelligent) AMERICANS who would believe otherwise, that there was NOTHING MORE behind these two political murders.

At the time "CASE CLOSED" (1992) was released, POSNER suddenly became the 'darling' of the media, I recall, how well he was embraced on every major talk show, and how well he was 'endorsed' by the (controlled) establishment press.

How insulting.

Again, POSNER's trash on these two political (JFK, MLK) assassinations (as in recent past) only served to augment further the 'misinformation', and his 'show-of-support' for THE LIE, of which the government would have us believe of these murders... and of it's "official" conclusions.

Naturally, I despise POSNER's books. I wouldn't believe ANYTHING he would have to say, let alone trust anything he would put in writing... even if it's just a book... about MOTOWN.

NO apologies. It's just how I fell about GERALD POSNER. He can't be trusted, and further, he's a liar.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.38) on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 09:53 am:

addedum.
i.e., this of one many articles available on-line in regards to the sinister "characterization" in question, that of a 'darker' side of GERALD POSNER, please read,

"POSNER DECEIVES CONGRESS"
http://www.assassinationweb.com/issue1.htm

By motownboy (12.158.230.250) on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 12:15 pm:

I think the real value of Posner's book is the information on the business end of Motown's operation and he deals with it probably in more detail than any other account of Motown's story. He shows how a mom & pop business became a big corporation and how thaf affected the Gordy family, the principal people at Motown and how the original magic began to wither away as the 1960s gave way to the 70s and 80s to the eventual sale to the Boston business venture in 1988. Apparently, Posner took a lot of information from court filed documents such as asrtists contracts, lawsuits and court testimony from Motown execs in the 1980s on the label's practices.

I know it's hard for us to hear less than favorable things about Motown. However, success does sometimes come at a price - unfortunately, it was at the expense of a lot of the artists and producers we love. However, without Berry Gordy's vision and leadership, Motown would not be a staple of world music culture that it is today. Imagine, today no songwriter in their right mind would give away ownership of their compositions as HDH, and others did to the company (essentially BG). An intelligent artist would certainly have an attorney look over a contract before singing.

I think the book shined a light on another facet of the Motown story - one most of us really don't want to hear about, yet exists...

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 05:48 pm:

motownboy,
I don't think it's that we have a pollyannaish view of Motown, but at least I'd expect to read some new stuff, as opposed to a Reader's Digest gathering of all previously published books.

The only nugget of new info is that the label supposedly had a slush fund. He doesn't prove that it was for payola -- maybe it was for drinks at the London Chop House for all the jocks? -- but even if it was, paying off deejays in the '60s is hardly headline news.

It would be more amazing to find a label that DIDN'T do it.

Posner is talking at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) night at the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. Anybody goin'?

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 06:28 pm:

Sue if you go..
please give us an update...

Vickie

By Jim G (152.163.188.68) on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 07:04 pm:

There is a HUGE difference between presenting fresh info and recycling known material, however provocative the new setting may be.
At the end of the day, I want new information, not a rehash of other research. And to contribute new information a writer must first be aware of what's been written.
Buying air time by buying DJ's (sorry) has been around, at least in Detroit, since the 1940s.
Ain't much of a revelation.
I wish I could attend the lecture tomorrow.

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.96.67) on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 10:16 pm:

You can read all the new information you want here and even ask us questions.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 01:52 pm:

As a researcher I agree with Jim G's assertion regarding information. The Posner book didn't present to me anything that I hadn't read before in other books or heard in interviews. If one reads BG's autobiography, Mary Wilson's books, Raynoma Gordy Singleton's bio and even Randy's "Call Me Miss Ross" you'll read the history of Motown from many different perspectives and no rehash.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 03:46 pm:

I'll be at the Gerald Posner talk, along with an operative.

If anyone has questions they'd like Posner to answer, post 'em ...or email me, just click on my name.

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.90) on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 03:54 pm:

I'd like to know who told him Mary Wells was difficult to work with or did he just think that after reading Mr. Gordys' book.Thanks Sue, I can't wait to hear your comments.

By LTLFTC (12.210.76.205) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 01:58 pm:

Sue;
How was the Posner/library thing? I saw him on CNN and took a lengthy browse through his book. I dunno --Whaddya think? Does he have any passion for the music at all?

Steve K.

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 02:28 pm:

Here's a link to an article from Sunday's News/Free Press Entertainment section.

http://www.freep.com/features/books/motown19_20030119.htm

The gist of it is that Posner says that the book is not about the music. It is a "business book". Interesting that the reviewer at Slate would find the story of the business more "real" than the story of the musicians, eh?

Based on the title and the way the book is being promoted, one would expect it to be a real mudslinging affair, but from the tone of the interview, he dug up a lot less dirt than he expected to find.

Of course, when your research consists of a couple of trips to the library, a few Lexis-Nexis queries, and an interview or two, how much can you really uncover.

Regards,
Ken (graduate of Mrs. Herman's 8th grade journalism class)

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 02:34 pm:

Ken,
The Free Press has bought into the book more than we have; they excerpted it, where we rejected doing that.

A lot of people in positions to review or edit those kind of things who aren't from here/didn't grow up with the music think it's a lot more than it is.

Maxine Powell lit into Posner, as did a few others at the thing last night. I'll tell more later (laugh).

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 02:38 pm:

p.s. When Posner saw me at the lecture last night, he pointed to me, laughed and said "There isn't anything in this book you don't know."

The thought balloon over my head was: yeah, and some of it I reported and wrote ...

We met when he came to the paper to look through our files for Motown stories, one of our librarians came and got me but we only said hi, he mentioned my book and told me Berry wouldn't talk to him. I told him I had a Berry interview a few years back when his book came out, laughed and left.

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 02:48 pm:

Sue,
I can only assume that Ms. Powell lit into him with style and grace.

As for the rest, the Free Press never really recovered from Gary Graff's departure, IMHO, but I don't suppose any further comment is necessary.

I am looking forward to your update.

Regards,
Ken

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 03:11 pm:

Ken,
Yeah you pretty much summed up the lack of F.P. institutional knowledge after Gary left.

It's like the Janet Maslin review of the Posner book in the NY Times. Clearly Maslin just doesn't know a lot about Motown and didn't read the original source texts that he was synopsizing!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 03:40 pm:

Hey Sue!
Let's have the details of what happened with Posner last night, especially Maxine Powell's application of her dainty left foot into Posner's posterior....
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 04:30 pm:

Hey Sue...
I can't wait to hear/read what you have to share..

tee, hee, heee

I am glad Maxine socked it to him
I have so much respect for the music and the artists I simply do not undertsand ones agenda for writing or repeating smut...Good books sell, the truth sells...Why bother with anything else.

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 04:41 pm:

Kevgo,
I'll wait to dish until my story runs, which is soon, as my esteemed employer is entitled to first dibs on my stuff ...

By SteveS (68.41.251.33) on Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 11:17 pm:

Sue did a terrific story about Posner's visit in today's Detroit News. Captured the reaction of Martha Reeves and Maxine Powell to Posner, as well as his reaction to the reaction. Great job, Sue!

http://www.detnews.com/2003/entertainment/0301/25/d01-68419.htm

By Vickie (198.81.27.10) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 12:56 am:

Simply Awesome Sue..

Wonderful, Wonderful...

Vickie

By John Lester (217.40.216.193) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 03:06 am:

Sue

I wish I was there.......especially when Miss Powell started her speech!!

Esther, Martha and Miss Powell continue to uphold the Motown image of looking and acting the part.

Fabulous article!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.38) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 11:17 am:

Quite a sad shame, quite indeed....

of Posner's reputed so-called 'credibility', of the 'slip-shod' journalist (it turns out that) he really is, now, has been (glaringly) further enhanced in dispute, in this case, it's about MOTOWN.

Just as as it was, time and time again, Posner had been decidedly struck down (again), by those who had bore witness, those who were there, of a certain event, place, and time, which have impacted our very lives....

As I said, again, I won't lend any creedence to anything POSNER may purport to say, however minute and trivial, to be of any basic fact.

http://www.assassinationweb.com/ag4.htm

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 11:37 am:

Sue,
As usual...a great piece of work from you.

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 11:50 am:

Sue,
Nice reporting. I have yet to read anything you've written that I haven't enjoyed reading.
Slainte, Lynn

By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 12:06 pm:

Thanks guys,

I thought Martha, Esther Edwards and Mrs. Powell all looked great. I was looking at a picture we took in '89 at Studio A of Allan Slutsky, Esther, Dennis Coffey, and the whole Jamerson clan except for Penny, at the time of the publication of Esther's book, and I think Esther looks better now!

There are a few funny things I didn't have room for in the paper -- how come I can't have eight pages of room? One was, Posner asserts very confidently that the Motown musicians all called marijuana "gangster" ...has anyone heard of that?

I asked Jack Ashford and a few others, they'd never heard of it. Dennis Coffey never heard it called that.

So maybe it's a word that was used somewhere, by some, but to say it was THE term Motown musicians used ... well clearly, it wasn't. Who told him that? The most amazing thing to me is that someone would trust contemporary newspaper interviews over an interview with the actual human being, today. Yes, memories have to be jogged, but often the person's more willing to be honest now, or they've changed their mind -- whatever.

By Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (68.80.164.254) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 12:41 pm:

Hi Sue, I have not read the book but peaple tell me that I'm in it, what he is saying about Motown paying DJ to play records is a LIE, I worked hard to get records played, if Posner had called me I would have told him,thanks Sue for looking for the truth,
WELDON A Mc Dougal III

By RD (63.188.33.158) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 12:41 pm:

I don't know if the funk brothers used the term gangster to refer to marijuana but it is a term used by some to refer to particularly good herb. As in..."I got the gangster bud"...or "Bill's got the gangster."

By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 12:46 pm:

RD,
Sure, but did the Funk Brothers call it gangster in the early '60s? The fact that neither Jack Ashford, Joe Messina nor Dennis Coffey was familiar with the term would lead me to conclude ...maybe some called it that, but I don't think you could say it was THE term the Motown musicians used, as Posner asserts.

Weldon -- I hear you! Even Michael Lushka, whose testimony Posner used in the section about the supposed slush fund, admitted he wasn't certain what the money was used for, he presumed it was for payola.

By RD (63.188.33.158) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 12:49 pm:

Here's a slang or street dictionary for drugs from a police department in Texas, you can also check any dictionary of drug terms and find that gangster is used by some to refer to marijuana. The term is quite common. Again, I don't know whether the Funk Brothers used the term.

http://www.texaspolicecentral.com/slang_drug_terms_g.html

By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 01:04 pm:

RD,
Thanks but I'm not questioning whether it was used, I was questioning whether it was the preferred term of the Funk Brothers. Three never heard of it, so it obviously wasn't that common a term.

By RD (67.25.177.18) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 01:30 pm:

Excuse me for trying to help. I thought I clearly stated that I didn't know whether the Funk Brothers used the term or not but that it was a pretty common and old term for potent marijuana that was used way before the term "chronic" and others.

By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 01:49 pm:

RD,
Relax. What I'm saying is, it might have been a common term somewhere, with some group of people, or many even, but the question is, was it the preferred term of the Funk Brothers? If it was a term used by one or two or maybe none of them, Posner shouldn't have been so adamant that it was THE term "the Motown musicians" used. I was using that as an example of how he was a little sloppy in some of his assertions.

P.S. I should add, when I asked him about this Jack Ashford was furious at the idea that the author might be implying they used anything like that in Studio A. "We weren't even allowed to have a beer," Jack said.

OK?

By RD (67.25.177.18) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 01:59 pm:

Ok.

Posner is a little guy. Why didn't somebody just clocked him?

By LTLFTC (12.210.76.205) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 01:59 pm:

Sue;
Thanks for another wonderful article. When I saw Posner on Cnn a couple weeks ago, he struck me as "one of those guys" ; ya know, one of those people who just runs a good rap - snows his way into a book contract , snows his way through the book, snows his way through media appearances. Michigan folk are too used to 'snow' to buy any extra. I'm proud of the Motown related folks for calling him out.

Steve K.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 02:02 pm:

Until now, I had never heard marijuanna referred to as "ganster." But then again I'm not a musician.

Back then, I recall the words, pot, boo, herb, roach, bud, weed.

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 02:06 pm:

WHAT "TERM" PEOPLE USE TO DESCRIBE MARIJUANA???...COME ON...GIVE ME A BREAK!!!...REMINDS ME OF THAT "FREE PRESS" REPORTER BACK IN THE LATE 60'S OR EARLY 70'S WHO DID AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON HEROIN USE IN DETROIT...AND ALLEGEDLY INFILTRATED ALL OF THESE DOPE HOUSES POSING AS A USER!!!...HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL HE WAS TALKING ABOUT, AND EVENTUALLY GOT EXPOSED!!!...STU

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 02:08 pm:

SteveK,
Well yeah, and another example of "drive-by" journalism/book writing on the subject of Motown.

You don't need to know Motown or Detroit, you don't even need to come here for long, anyone can have a go. Don't even bother to talk to a lot of people! Here's your six figure (or more) advance.

RD,
It's funny, as Posner walked onstage Martha said "Well he's a LITTLE fella isn't he?"

Mrs. Powell I'm sure could have clocked him with her handbag, if he'd gotten close enough.

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 02:21 pm:

Sounds to me the book is
1percent pages
2percent ink
97percent bullshit
why dont somebody just tell him,
here's your 4 corner SUPPOSITORY

"COUNT"

By RD (67.25.176.41) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 02:24 pm:

I'm not musician either but in my pot smoking days years ago when somebody had some potent weed it was referred to as either the bomb, gangster, or more specific names like Panama Red, gold or Columbian (if it was); "head crackin' weed" was a less common term used for potent marijuana.

The online glossary for drug terms really doesn't define the word correctly as to its use for marijuana. Most say it's a generic term for marijuana when in fact it referred to potent or strong marijuana. When somebody had the gangster for sell he usually didn't have it long. Just ok marijuana was called bud, weed, mary jane, etc. The price was often jacked up on gangster or either the quantity was smaller than what you would get for regular pot.

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 02:37 pm:

ACAPULCO GOLD IS-- VVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEP,bad ass weed
hey,you cant say that:
hey man,what do you want man,good grammer or good taste man?
"ASHLEY ROACH CLIP"

By RD (67.25.176.41) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 02:51 pm:

A whole thread could be started naming the terms use for marijuana, many of which haven't even made the drug glossaries yet.

Count we would drive a long way if necessary to get some Acapulco Gold in the sixties and seventies. Good Gold, Red or Sess (an acquired taste) made you pull out the jazz albums...Pharoah Sanders, Coltrane, Herbie Mann, Miles Davis, Don 'freakin' Cherry, early Donald Byrd, Yusef Lateef, stuff like dat.

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 03:13 pm:

First of all since weed smoking is STILL against the law,all my info is (ahem)strictly hearsay!

I can honestly say I don't know ANYONE in my group of associates of the last 40 years that used that term, at least in the Detroit area.

Again I say that anything you say may be used against you in a court of law, and I ain't one to gossip,so you ain't heard this from me!

By ErikT.O. (64.228.108.2) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 03:21 pm:

Hm, I would have thought 'sess would have brought out the reggae albums... I've never heard the term 'gangster' in a herbal sense but I'm surprised terms like 'Panama Red' and 'the bomb' were used as current terminology in the same decade!

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 03:31 pm:

P.S.-- Since they can outlaw one specie of plant that just grows from the ground,maybe we can get the powers that be to outlaw Dandelions to save us a lot grief with our lawns!

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.96.67) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 03:48 pm:

Sue,

Thank you for standing up for all of us. You mentioned the publication of Mrs. Edwards's book. Now THAT's the one I want!

Is it available anywhere? There is no mention of it on Amazon.

By thecount (65.60.205.4) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 03:55 pm:

I'am sure nobody gives 2wo shits,but I have never ever done weed or anyother drugs,(except chemo)
all I'am familiar with was the slang I've heard
and at times I would have to say,what the hell are these guy"s(GALS) talking about?
When I heard MUTZIE'S "COCAINE BLUES" singing
the line,Have You Met MRS. Jones,I'am not talking about the little old lady who lives down the street,I had no idea what he was refering to untill I heard the slang,"MRS.JONES"
All in ALL,I dont think this is the proper place to get into the discussion,other than what was said in the beginning here.Sue made her point and it should just GO UP IN SMOKE.
"COUNT"

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 04:01 pm:

Bob,
I didn't mention Esther's book in my story -- I think somebody brought it up here on the Forum a while back, a visitor who said she read parts of a chapter to them or something?

It hasn't been published yet, no. And yeah, it'd be a good read. Esther is such a great presence here in town, whenever she goes anywhere she represents Motown and her brother well. As such she doesn't criticize folks like Posner, but there were plenty of others who did ...

P.S. I don't know why he had such trouble finding insiders to talk to, I didn't find it that hard!
And now I know where to find guys like you, Weldon Macdougal, etc. --Sue

By Fred (205.188.209.38) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 04:17 pm:

I have to wonder if Posner misheard the word "ganja" and wrote "gangster.

By P.J. (12.227.35.46) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 04:30 pm:

If and when Mrs. Edwards publishes her book, I'll be in line to purchase it. Perhaps Mr. Posner should be in line too.

By P.J. (12.227.35.46) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

If memory serves me right it was John Lester who in 1990 had a chapter of Mrs. Edwards' book read to him.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 04:36 pm:

I am LMAO.....This is a very humerous thread.

Actually, I think the classifications have changed over the years beginning in '71, '72, to sound more powerful due to the hash, and various chemicles used to prepare it, like rat poison. (LMAO)

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 04:38 pm:

Count,as usual you say the right things at the right time. Your right! Enough said.

By thecount (65.60.205.4) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 05:32 pm:

Thanx LYNN,and I-o-u-1
I hear your girl is so dumb,she went to the bakery for a yeast infection.heeee-hhheeeeee!!!!

Lets get together man
"COUNT"

By john dixon (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 07:11 pm:

my radio co-workers back in the 80's thought it would be a good idea to use a new name, a code name if you will, and that name was Jerry----

so our conversations were often peppered with:
Have you seen Jerry?
I'm looking for Jerry..
Jerry is nowhere to be found.
Man, I definately should not have seen Jerry first..
Why did you guys see Jerry without me, dammit?
you've been seeing Jerry too much...
I saw Jerry and now I'm starvin'...
Maybe you could talk straight if you hadn't seen Jerry.
All he's cares about is seein' Jerry..
You got some water? Jerry gave me cottonmouth...
....and on and on...

By mc5rules (148.61.97.30) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 12:20 pm:

for some people I knew back in college, that code name was "Sammy Sosa." Or, alternately, it was referred to as "cheesecake." but never "gangster."

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 12:36 pm:

Sue:
Wonderful article regarding the Posner Smackdown.

I find it disturbing that Posner was able to smugly defend his research despite being shot down by Maxine Powell, Esther Gordy and others. I guess this is why Berry himself doesn't react to bullshit like this - why give guys like Posner the free publicity (the old phrase - no publicity as bad, just spell the name right...).

Also disturbing that, of all people, Fredric Dannen allegedly telling Posner that Motown was a story that was meaning to be told. He should have taken a lesson from Dannen about source material. Like I said in another thread, at least when Dannen wrote "Hit Men" , he went DIRECTLY to many legendary sources - from Walter Yentnikoff at Sony Music & Dick Asher of PolyGram to Morris Levy(!) - and risked his neck telling the shady story of the record biz.

I can't wait for Posner to show up at a NYC bookstore. Maybe I should have a Funk Brother with me as backup!

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Vickie (64.12.97.7) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 12:39 pm:

I am simply baffled that the guy got a book deal...

Vickie

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.90) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 02:13 pm:

Thanks Sue for the great article & great pictures.I thought Martha looked especially stunning.

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 02:26 pm:

Martha does look great. She tells me it's yoga and weed-whacking at the Detroit houses she fixes up to sell (do you Brits call them weed-whackers?).

Thanks Kevgo --oh and actually I didn't quote Esther bashing the book, I didn't quote her at all. She told Posner she hadn't read the book, but she liked what he was saying from the stage. Esther is always the consummate diplmat and dignified Motown presence, so I'm not sure she would have said anything negative even if she'd read it.

I was surprised at his citing of Dannen, both in the book and "live." I wonder what Dannen thinks of Posner's book? As you say, Dannen did exhaustive, first-hand research, and got a completely different kind of book.

It was Mrs. Powell, Martha, several anonymous Detroiters and a number of people in the back including Roxanna Gordy who gave him hell.

Vickie -- how did he get the contract? From people who know nothing of Motown or music. But they know him in publishing circles.

By Jim G (12.47.224.13) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 02:59 pm:

Vickie,

Most Presses have a review process for manuscripts.
They ask,

1. Is it libelous?
2. Will it sell?
3. Is it truthfull, or at least accurate?

The manuscript is usually farmed out to 'anonymous reviewers' with special knowledge of the field. If the reviews are favorable, the acquisitions editor usually recommends to their board that a contract be offered.
Sue may have additional info.

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 03:06 pm:

Sue & Jim,
It still baffles me..
It's because of so many books written like his I have more work to do with ours. I have to de-bunk what so many have said about Tammi over the years. I don't know how anyone can write and not have it be truthful or use info based on what "they heard"
I have a mountain of info to sort...I enjoy the process, it's very time consuming - anything else would be taking the easy way out..

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 03:24 pm:

My "rough guide" to publishing law: Legally, you can write anything you want about a dead person, unfortunately ...the way the law looks at it, you can't libel someone who is dead.

Hence the Tammi info ...

By DF (24.168.8.162) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:07 pm:

Anything that has gone on at Motown has probably been written about already. It seems that despite whatever scandals and rumors about what went on, Hitsville's legacy is still mad strong 40 years later. Can't say that about a lot of other entities.

As for the herbal, During Desert Storm, some cats that I know referred to it as a Scud Missle. I was offered to smoke a Scud with them in Washington Square Park in 1991. I declined. Peace.

By RD (63.188.33.87) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:20 pm:

MC5Rules, Sammy Sosa wasn't around or known in the '60s or '70s. In African-American communities and among pot users the term gangster was quite common and is still used. If you check any drug glossary you'll find it as a slang or street name for marijuana. It's also use for potent pills "gangster pills." Personally, I never heard the terms "Sammy Sosa" or "cheesecake" use for marijuana but I have no reason or inclination to doubt that some do refer to it by those terms.

Fred check any drug glossary. Ganja is the common Jamaican word for marijuana. You'll find gangster listed after it. But don't take my word for it, click the link I provided previously or type "gangster marijuana" in any search browser.

By Blondie (64.12.97.7) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:46 pm:

ok, my two cents about pot (I never smoked pot) When I was in High School (during the punk rock era) someone asked me if I liked Skunk? My reply..."I dunno, what do they sing"

I thought Skunk was a band or something...

Blondie

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:49 pm:

BLONDIE: (I KNOW WHO YOU REALLY ARE)..."SKUNK" *WAS* A BAND OR SOMETHING...A BLACK AND WHITE GROUP...AND BOY...DID THEY STINK!!!...STU

By Vickie (64.12.97.7) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:55 pm:

Stu ...you are sooo funny
it sounded like a punk band to me at the time...

Vickie
aka Blondie

By mc5rules (204.39.209.193) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 09:09 pm:

RD:
I never would have suggested that Sammy Sosa was "around" in the 60s or 70s -- I'm not that much of a dumbass. I was just commenting on the post above it. And as far as cute names for pot goes, believe me, I've heard most of the popular ones (having conducted quite a bit of "research" into the topic over the years). But I guess my point was that any small group of people are likely to come up with their own group slang terms for things.

And we're both getting away from Sue's original point, which is whether anyone ever called pot "gangster" is irrelevant. The fact that some of the Funk Brothers deny that that was THEIR term for it is the relevant point, and it pokes yet another hole in Posner's work.

By RD (63.188.33.87) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 09:14 pm:

Skunk was a potent grade of marijuana that had a skunky smell. Some people loved skunk but not as much as Monkey Paw an even stronger grade of the herb, providing it was good skunk. People would also sell you fools skunk, gold and red, which is why you tried to sample it before paying premium prices for bs.

There must be thousands of names for the stuff. We knew if someone was from our area or not according to what slang term they use for it.

Vickie, if you think Posner's comments about Tammi are bad don't read the David Ruffin book by...

By Vickie (64.12.97.7) on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 09:16 pm:

RD, I did read it. I will take the Ester Gordy approach and say nothing...

Vickie

By Common (209.2.55.145) on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 08:13 am:

RD & Vickie:

About the David Ruffin Book: I plead the fifth with the both of you! lol.

Peace!

By Allen (24.165.80.12) on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 02:21 pm:

If anybody see's Jerry, send him over here please.

Thank you,

Allen

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 03:53 pm:

I'm sure most of you probably receive the MAA news letters. Did you get the one about the Michigan Chronicle being sold?

(The new owners are pictured in last weeks edition of the Chronicle.)

By RD (63.188.33.252) on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 07:59 pm:

I never get the MAA newsletter. What's the MAA newsletter and how do I get it?

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 09:19 pm:

RD - MAA means "Motown Alumni Association." I don't get the newsletter, but I think the subscription is free. You can find their web link on Google.


I only referred to that specific issue because it had an interesting article about Motown this week.

By RD (63.188.32.107) on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 10:54 pm:

Ok. Is that the site with all the pop ups? Might have been there before.

By : (198.81.27.10) on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 11:01 pm:

Yes RD...

By history buff (63.88.160.101) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 12:19 pm:

As we look back in history, and that is what this forum is about there a 3 sides to any event. The motown side positive, Posner side negative, and the truth.Mr. Posner must a some credibility or he would not have been able to publish this and other books. There a thousands of books published ever year, how many are reviewed by the NY times, or CNN. Mr. Gordy was a music great, and alwasys will be, but he cut conners as a lot of business do.The one question I have for this forum, What did Mr. Gordy leave to the City of Detroit? And funds for development of new music talent? Any donations to hospitals? Cancer research? Any thing that beards the gordy name. All I have ever heard about is the motown musium . and a large building that is vacent on woodward.

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 12:45 pm:

"Mr. Posner must a some credibility or he would not have been able to publish this and other books."

That's presuming a lot.

By Scratcher (65.132.78.110) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 01:46 pm:

Sue, I'm surprised you were able to navigate History Buff's post as well as you did. I gave up after the third sentence. Did you figure out what point he was trying to make?

By mc5rules (148.61.97.30) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 02:11 pm:

Even though the post was a mess, History Buff does bring up a good point (sort of). Posner has gotten TONS of coverage of this book -- way beyond what it deserves. As someone who does PR for a living, the kind of free media attention he's gotten makes me drool. I wonder how he did it. Does he have some genius PR firm working for him or someting.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 02:12 pm:

History Buff:
Before you write such a post, please in the future check your grammar. I refuse to respond to such illiteracy.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 02:16 pm:

I reading history bufft twiceed..
I thinked I gots what'd he/she was said..

Scratcher you are funny - Sue even funnier

Vickie

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 02:17 pm:

Yeah history buff cuts a few conners in his writing, eh?

Posner works it himself, quite hard. You have to these days as an author even at that level. I have a friend whose book was recently published by Random House, and the publicist in charge, a 22-year-old, sent out the book, period. My friend had to do all the calling to talk shows, etc. herself.

Knowing who to call and getting yourself booked is an art, but it doesn't mean what you wrote is any better or worse, you've just got finely honed PR skills.

By Scratcher (65.132.78.110) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 02:23 pm:

You have to know a lil' bit about grammer to use a grammer check, Kevgo. Besides, what's point? History Buff is what he/she is.

MC5Rules, Buff did make an interesting point about whether Gordy donated large sums of money to the city, i.e. citizens of Detroit by way of monies to hospitals, museums, cancer centers, etc.

Is there a wing in any Detroit hospital named after Gordy?

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.101) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 02:40 pm:

"Any thing that beards the gordy name."

Now there's an idea for a spicy book with no basis in fact.

Regards,
Ken

By Jim G (12.47.224.13) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 02:49 pm:

History Buff,

What Mr Posner has going for him is...history!!
His previous books dealt with controversial topics...the Kennedy assassination, for example.
He'll garner greater media attention because he dramatizes his subject, presents information (in this case, recycled information) in a manner that exagerates its importance, ref. Sue's comment on his 'revelation' about a slush fund. Like, Wow!
The term 'media darling' comes to mind.
So don't assume his book has merit simply because it attracts attention...

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 03:55 pm:

Jim G:
Amen!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By history buff (63.88.160.101) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 03:55 pm:

To Sue. Have you published any books? Have any been reviewed by the NY Times,or CNN. Have you been on national T.V. or book tours?. National publishing houses can guage the intrest of a book and how well it will sell,so I guess that Mr.Posner was in the right place at the right time for his book.One of the forum members states that his is recycled information,but the information is new to the thousands who will buy his book.People who have a intrest in anything tend to defend it rather than looking at the facts and maybee gain a new insight.

By MBuffCoolJ (64.236.243.31) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:00 pm:

eeeeeks Don't go there Mr. Buff..


Mystery Buff

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:01 pm:

Uh, yeah history, I've published a book. Avon Books, 1998. ISBN number 0-380-79379-2.

Have you?

By mc5rules (148.61.97.30) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:06 pm:

Yeah, Sue, who do you think you are? I'll bet you never worked for a major metropolitan daily newspaper OR worked as an editor at the greatest rock magazine that ever was, either!

Sheesh! The nerve...

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:07 pm:

ditto that Marshall...


Vickie

By Jim G (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:15 pm:

To paraphrase Mark Twain, Let us draw the veil of Charity over History Buff's posts...

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:20 pm:

sorry , thought you were Marshall MC5

But ditto anyways MC5

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.101) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:24 pm:

Time for the Soulful Detroit troll litmus test:

History Buff, what are your views on Gary Lewis and the Playboys and their hit song "This Diamond Ring"?

Regards,
Suspicious in Livonia

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:50 pm:

History Buff:
Sue is an award-winning journalist with the Detroit News. She has written for the rock press (Creem Magazine)and covered the music scene for several years.
As for Posner's book, all we here in SD are doing is letting others know that the real deal regarding Motown can be found in other sources, primarily the autobiographies of Berry Gordy, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson & Mary Wilson (and Mary wrote two books!) as well as Fredric Dannen's "Hit Men" which briefly mentioned Motown and those who worked behind the scenes. All Posner did is write a very expensive Cliff's Notes to the books I mentioned.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

Mr. Hissssstory Barf-I mean Buff.Ya'll ain't from Detroit are you. Some times it's better to let things slide as some of the REAL motowners are about to go upside your head. If you are from Detroit-- AW,MAN HOW YOU SOUND!!!

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 05:22 pm:

HEY LYNN,lets go back in time and do a INKSTER TOE DANCE on this kats melon.
history BUFUNGOUL.

HEY LYNN,this kats breath smells so bad,people hang up on the phone.

"COUNT"

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 05:46 pm:

Count,I know thats right.The skanks so skunky you can smell him a month from now.

By Ritchie (81.102.249.48) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 05:49 pm:

Maybe history buff is Mr Posner, whose PC spellchecker is apparently out of action.. ?

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 05:52 pm:

OK guys. History Buff has been told. He does make a point for the uninitiated who have never read anything related to Motown. Unfortunately Buff, you are somewhat misunderstood here in that you just waltzed into a den of experts who really know what they are talking about. Let's all make nice now.

P.S. Livonia Ken: Very funny litmus test I must say. You guys DO tend to entertain.

By Nish (66.119.33.170) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 06:21 pm:

Vickie, LOL @ your post with the egregious misspellings, you know you're wrong! :-)

Sue - Just got around to reading article, I LOVE IT! You make journalism a respectable profession, and your passion is infectious. I'm so glad those gutsy Motown ladies shot the cat down.

Some people love a seedy story, so I think the widespread PR Mr. Posner is getting indicates mass culture's insatiable taste for the tasteless.

By Vickie (205.188.209.38) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 02:58 am:

Nish,
I love a good laugh

Vickie

By Sue (205.188.209.38) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 10:13 am:

Thanks Nish.

I think too, that a lot of people didn't read all the source books about Motown that Posner took the bulk of his story from, so they think it's all new -- whereas I did, and many here did as well.

Not to mention I recognized an anecdote from my book that is just there in the text, as if he got it. But he took much more from BG's book, Mary Wilson's, Martha's, etc.

By Nish (66.119.33.135) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 10:43 am:

Sue, if he didn't mention your book in the credits, but still used the anecdote, perhaps plagiarist is his new title.

By Vickie (152.163.188.68) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 10:55 am:

I am agreeing with Ritchie, maybe Buff is Posner or someone from Posner's camp...You gots to wake up pretty early in the morning to trick us here. That was my first thought and I thought the mispellings in the first post were a deliberate smoke screen cause the next post is readable..In the post he addresses Sue like he is bragging..

I think Paulie needs to pay a visit to Buff.

Vickie

By history buff (63.88.160.101) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 11:28 am:

To the forum, I"am sorry if I offended any body. I, was in Detroit on business and found this web site while looking up things surfing on the city of Detroit web page.I enjoy motown music and just wanted to make a few comments. It not easy to type on a lap top while riding in the back of a limo with the condition of the roads in this town. The driver showed me the Hittsville Bld. on west grand blvd. Wayne State University The old and new G.M. Blds. When I asked about if Mr, Gordy had made any major donations to the city my driver said"he took his cash and left in a hurry". Detroit is city a known fo its charity, I saw many new buildings with the names of the people donated money for thier construction. Applebaum school of pharmacy. Karmous cancer center, Prentis center at wayne state,but as my driver told Mr. Gordy left the city with his money,and that was that. I hope he is wrong. Can any of you tell me what Mr. Gordy has done for the city of detroit?As for the people who want to "go up ide my head"and the Inkster toe dance"Don"t shoot the messanger,I asked a civil question and did not expect the responce that I recevied.Inkster toe dance, up side your head, that kind of talk is spoken by the WANT TO BE WISE GUYS where Iam From N.Y.C. Sorry if I my typing and spelling is not the bust my sec. does most of it.

By : (205.188.209.38) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 11:40 am:

Wow a limo!

By Allen (24.165.80.12) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 12:06 pm:

Never mind the Limo. I want to know how I can get a secretary. Obviously, my 10th grade English instructor was wrong about not being able to get ahead without knowing how to properly diagram a sentence. Hell... it took me weeks to get that down.

Now I'm really pissed!

By Vickie (205.188.209.38) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 12:10 pm:

Says his typing at "Bust"

even in a limo the E on a keyboard is no where near the U

Vickie

By Vickie (205.188.209.38) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 12:11 pm:

Where is Mike McLean when we really really need him!!!

By history Buff (63.88.160.101) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 12:47 pm:

To this forum.I must have steped into a closed group. I will not be back on this forum.To Allen, any time you want to compare net worth, R.E.I.T,s if you they are? How would business man coming to a city for the third time get around, Trying to see 3 buildings for invertsmnt, Allen I guss you do not travel a lot, or maybe to go Grayhound., ya that seems your style..To Vicky, Comment on my typing that is the easy way out,The truth is you can not handle the any thing that puts Mr. Gordy in a bad light. When a question about your Hero Mr. Gordy was asked. all you could respond with comments about my typing. I thought that I could get a awnser from this forum, But what you have shown me is that Gordy did nothing for the city The music my be great but this forum is not.To All on this forun enjoy that that gasp of mowtown, for your living in the past, new music is here, and newer music is coming, all music has its day and motown ended in the 80,s

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 12:55 pm:

buff,

Your posts are a good example of how important education is. Good points are obscured by grammar and spelling so horrific it would get any secretary fired. If you want people to listen to your ideas you really need to learn to communicate more clearly. We're pretty tolerant here of all upper caps typing, typos, etc., but you've gone beyond that. Attacking people you don't know doesn't help either.

The truth is, BG doesn't have his name on anything in Detroit, but he does pour cash into the museum, and yes, many of us see that as community service. In Memphis the Stax museum is getting city and state tax dollars -- that's something Hitsville should get too, because it is one of the major tourist attractions here.

Re other charitable donations -- just because something isn't made public, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I know of a major Detroit star who's donated millions to a certain cause that's helped improve life for Detroiters considerably. Nobody's outed the person -- yet anyway. And that particular stream of giving was going on for years until another reporter happened upon it by accident. The rule is; never assume just because you don't know something, that it doesn't exist.

Note to Forumers -- I'll gladly tell any of you in person who the star is and what they donated to ..because it was truly a good deed.

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 01:00 pm:

Gee Count,do you realize that wanna-be mafiosos in New York talk like we've been talking since we were in grade school. Wow,since I worked in a lot of clubs owned and operated by real mafiosos,I guess the "made guys"cleaned up their english enough so they don't sound like a wanna-be!

All kidding aside history-buff welcome to the forum. You've just been initiated!!!!!
Slainte,Lynn

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 01:42 pm:

Buff,
Lynn is right. You really are welcome here. Hell. I moderate the forum and these people have taught me things I never would have known without being here. Don't be hard on them. they just get a little playful at times.OK. Everyione has had their say. Now make Buff welcome here.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 01:50 pm:

Buff:
As a fellow New Yorker & Motown disciple, I understand your sentiments regarding Gordy & Hitsville.
As Sue said, Gordy has donated funds to keep the Hitsville building alive. What you encountered with your driver in Detroit is the lingering bitterness many Detroiters have for Gordy up & leaving the city for the greener pastures of Los Angeles. When you have a business that employs hundreds of people in one city and one day the employer leaves a sign on the studio door saying "Session cancelled due to LA move - may reschedule" (to paraphrase) - yet that session was never rescheduled, the last thing that employer would expect years later is a nice homecoming and forgiveness. Well, that's what happened at Motown around 1971-72. Also bear in mind that Gordy's desire was to remain behind the scenes and not have the spotlight (hence no buildings named after him). The world at large thought otherwise.
I do hope you stick around this forum and not be afraid of asking questions regarding the history of Motown and other great soul/R&B labels that existed here in the USA. Folks like Ralph Terrana & Sue are great resources because "they were there" as well as the rest of the bunch. I learned more about the history of American R&B here from the anecdotes than any book from self-declared experts.
Welcome to Soulful Detroit, History Buff.
Regards always,
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 01:53 pm:

LYNN,now I feel like a heal.I can imagine what they say here about me,especially off the forum,because my grammer and spelling is terrible,
like I said before,when in school,I was asked to spell farm,and I started singing E-I-E-I-O.
HEY LYNN,I just saw your new girl,shes so skinny she was getting a tatoo on her chest that said front.HHEE-HHEEEE-HHAAAA-HHEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
"COUNT"

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 01:56 pm:

Buff,
As an afterthought: If you thought some of us were a bit rough on you here, be thankful Mike Mclean wasn't around. He would have boned you like a chicken as he has done to each of us here and he claims to love us.

Nice letter Kev.

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 02:24 pm:

Buff you came to the wrong place to attack & belittle..We are a cyber-soul family here....
I am glad that you let me know what "My" truth is, I'll sleep much better tonight.

I love all my peeps here..



Vickie

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 02:31 pm:

"would have boned you like a chicken" ...Ralph, thanks for my LAUGH OF THE DAY ...

Count 1. Somehow we can understand you; at least the Detroiters on the forum, 2. You don't brag that a secretary is writing your prose, which is what exposes the writer to ridicule. No bidnessman I know thinks like that, much less writes.

P.S. Warning, SEVERE troll alert ..

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 02:53 pm:

THANX SUSIE DARLING,but sometimes I cant even understand myself.
But I still believe in my philosophy,,
never trouble trouble,till trouble troubles you.
I just got a FRANKLIN SPELLING ACE stuck in my face from my daughter,she says,if I dont know how how to use spell checker on the computer,use this!!!!

"COUNT"

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 05:36 pm:

Count,I hear your girl"Slim Jim" won't go near Lane Bryants. She calls it a store for anorexics.Oh Yea!!

Count, hablo espanol como un nino de dos anos. I speak it like a two year old,but when I go to Mexico I can communicate with everyone even though it's in present tense.No one gives a rats ass about your spelling as you have such a vast knowlege of records. As long as we can trade info who cares(except maybe the tight-asses).We're here to communicate, not past an exam on proper english.
Slainte, Lynn

By jack (65.82.172.146) on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 07:00 am:

Hello; Jack here, I see that we have another person with plenty of time on his hands and wants to put people down that he knows nothing about. As long as folks talk about this persons book he stays alive but when you leave him alone and let him fester he will soon destroy what little life he has left. Sometimes little people need to make a lot of noise to be heard.And please don't wish for Mike McLean to speak on anything other than filters and switches because in a earlier article he said some thing about one of the funk Brothers that was about the most stupid thing to come out of the mouth of someone that had worked at Motown.Asfar as what Motown did or didn't do. I am proud to have worked for the company. Remember you can alter the future but Posner can't touch the past.All African American people can be proud of what Berry did in building that company. I should know because I heiped him build it. I think a lot of negative statements are spoken because a lot of these persons would have liked to have been with that company Jack Ashford funk Brothers

By Fred (205.188.200.192) on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 11:07 am:

Although not specifically directed at Detroit, Berry Gordy endowed the Gwendolyn Gordy Fund (administered by the RnB Foundation) with approximately $2 million. The funds are earmarked for assisting performers and others with connections to Motown who are in need.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.101) on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 01:05 pm:

Hey Ralph,
'Boned you like a chicken'
I couldnt stop laughing,that has a very different meaning in my neck of the woods,which I couldnt divulge on here.A term in slang that is used when on an adult theme.
Mel(The phantom rooster).

By RonS (12.251.115.153) on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 02:06 pm:

About Charities:

The Gordy Foundation is located in Detroit and has awarded scholarships to Wayne State students for many years. Also many local agencies have benfited from grants given to them by the foundation. The Gordy family was also instumental in the 1980's renovation of Orchestra Hall, the home of the Detroit Symphony.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 03:19 pm:

Mel,
I'm reading you loud and clear pal. I suppose that version might have been a possibility also.

By Vickie (152.163.207.54) on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 06:44 pm:

Nice insight Jack,
thank you...

Vickie

By David Meikle (213.122.138.59) on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 10:21 am:

Thanks to Jack Ashford and Ron Swope for setting the record straight.

Is everyone listening?

By TD (65.210.112.50) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 03:25 pm:

I just finished reading the book. And I concur that it is basically items that are found in other books i.e. Berry Gordy's autobiography.
It was kind of interesting to see them all put together in one book. I would give it 21/2 stars.

TD

By kim culhan (68.42.41.167) on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 06:05 pm:

MMSAP author Gerald Posner was on WJR in Detroit this afternoon promoting his book.

Regular weekend host Warren Pierce coaxed Posner into spewing 'facts' from his book at a rapid-fire pace towards the end of the ~30 min interview.

Think I can get 'JR to let me put the interview up on a web site for all to listen ?

...prolly not.

-kim