By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 06:39 pm:

Hello Bobby: What is terry Collins up to these days. I really enjoy your collaboration on " The show must go on" and "Oh so lonely". Terry is one of the most powerfully soulful singers of alltime. The fullblooded orchestral intro to "the show must go on" is awesome. I remember the T.U.M.E album on MGM. Was Terry a member of this group?

By Eli (151.197.38.107) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 03:00 am:

Soulpuss,

Terry Collins was a singer who I discovered in NYC in December of '71 at an "oldies " show at which I was backing Len Barry and Terry was doing the lead for the Marcels.
His energy and sheer vocal prowess amazed me and I invited him to Philly to try to secure a record deal for him.
He literally arrived at my dostep on January2nd 1972 and stayed at my home for a while until he could secure his own place.
During that time my home was a hotbed of activity
with songwriting going on almost 24/7.
during that time I discovered Terry's songwriting skills and I recorded many of our collaborations on many acts at the time.
He used to go to Sigma with me and hang out and Harry Chipetz gave me spec time during which I recored several songs including I. L.O.V.E. Y.O.U. and The Show Must Go On.
Stan Watson was doing a deal with Kwanza records an offshot of Warners and he signed Terry.
Nothing really transpired during that situation so I signed him to silver Blue through T.K. and got some chart success with Oh So Lonely.
Tery was one of the most talented people that I have worked with but unfortunately he was his own worst enemy and continuously got himself involved in "R. Kelly-itis" and wound up incarcerated on several occasions and I could not continuously keep bailing him out.
The last time I heard from him was over a dozen years ago when He wrote me from jail once again attoning for his sins.
Several years ago I heard from one of the Marcels who told me that Terry was "on the sreets" in Pittsburgh where he is originaally from.
What a waste of natural talent.

By fayette (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 03:40 pm:

it's so sad when someone so talented waste
their lives.by making wrong choices.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 06:42 pm:

Bobby: Such a sad, sad, sad turn of events. A colossal waste of true talent. All the more painful because I've been captivated by his records. I can honestly say that I don't think a week has passed when I don't sing "The show must go on" to myself whilst tied up in traffic, in the shower, waiting in line at the supermarket checkout etc.May he find a way out of the wilderness soon.

By Eli (151.197.39.250) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 03:56 am:

Soulpuss,
In my wildest dreams I could never have imagined someone in the year 2003 humming that song in traffic or anywhere for that matter.
It was the first time that I used upright bowed basses, and two of them no less. What was I thinking??
The story was effective and probably relived time and time again by countless road warriors!!.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 05:14 am:

Bobby: To further elaborate, I even simulate the orchestral intro and the background singers' parts. I mentioned in a prior post "The total package is peerless" (Favourite deep soul). That shows one how much I love the song. Who is Donna? Is she fictitious?

I also speculate from time to time, which other singer could do justice to this song. Ones that come to mind:Teddy P., David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards, Joe Ligon (Mighty Clouds of Joy). The latter has immense power. I really dig that collaboration with Aretha on "I've been in a storm too long".

Do you know that "Oh so lonely" was reggaefied by Jack Radics in the mid 90's. Radics is a singer that does strictly covers. He has a deep voice. It wasn't a big seller but I liked it.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 10:56 pm:

Eli - I'm looking at "MFSB: Love Is The Message." KZ 32707 1973.

On the front is a painting of a skull with an military had on, and other figures. On the back are pictures of the band scattered over the LP. Can you remember where your pictures is located? I'm looking for the guitars, but I only see hands on the strings.

Do I have the bomb or what? :o)

By Eli (151.197.37.243) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 01:29 am:

Hi Sis,
Let me just say this. PIR really stuck us with some tacky lp covers didn't they??
The first MFSB album had a coffin with a hypodermic needle lying in it. The back had our individual photos and I am the one of the "caucasian persuasion" wearing the velvet jeff hat. On the Love is the message one, the skulls?? Give me a break!! What message?? They killed us off before we ever got going. I think that the original vinyl has our pics as well although I amnot certain.
If it is just appendages , than a "Black hand " would be Norman Harris and a "lighter ove" would be little 'ol me (over here)

By yoyoshep (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 01:48 am:

To Mr. Eli; is that the same Terry Collins that you cowrote the songs; "I Love Making Love To You", and This Is What You Mean To Me" by Englebert Humperdinck? I recently obtained the After The Lovin' album on Ebay. The songs that you wrote and produced on that album have blown my mind. Such beautiful material. I really like the song you wrote on that album called "World Without Music". Also there is a recent remastered cd of the first MFSB album with the needle in the coffin on the front cover. There is that famous collection of pictures of the MFSB members including yourself, on the inside cover of the cd. Also, there is a picture of the full MFSB members standing in the alley between North 12th and Race street next to Sigma Sound Studios!

By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 01:07 pm:

Eli...speaking of MFSB, by the time Dexter Wansel became a "dominant figure" were the players the same (or was that after the Salsoul exodus) ? The direction was totally different and *I" couldn't "feel" what I was used to feeling from such a talented crew.

By Eli (151.197.5.48) on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 12:38 pm:

Yoyoshep,
It is indeed the same Terry.
We had a pretty high output of songs together and Terry was quite talented and could sound like Tom J. or Enge at will so it was easy to replicte the vibe ahead of time.
Thanks for the compliment.

Twicked,
Dexter had his own group of players, none owhich were true MFSB ers and that is why the songs sounded "different."
G&H should have stuck with a winning formula but I suppose by that time the "phatness" set in..