By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 01:49 pm:

Speaking as we were of classic disc jockeys, talk to me about Martha Jean. Any remembrances out there, fond memories of "Tasting Time" or "Prosperity Day." I betcha!

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 06:49 am:

Sue, I mostly remember Martha Jean the Queen's broadcast in the 70s signing on with Kim Weston's "Lift Ev'ry Voice."

Sometimes her expression was, "I betcha yeah..."

When I recall her soothing motherly voice, it brings me comfort.

Recently I found an LP she made in the early 70s.

By David Meikle (81.135.65.249) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 07:06 am:

Martha Jean is credited with helping to quell the riots of 1967.

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 07:21 am:

"I'll Bet You" was first recorded by Theresa Lindsey for Golden World and the song was taken from The Queens' catch phrase. It was later record by Funkadelic (George Clinton co-wrote the song) and Michael Jackson.
"I Can't Shake It Loose" by Pat Lewis, another Golden World 45, was also inspired by one of The Queen's catch phrases.
They're both great recordings.
Graham

By StingBeeLee (155.139.68.10) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 08:06 am:

Everyday at 12:00, I believe she would play James Cleveland's "Without A Song". At that time we would be at home eating lunch. The person who took care of us while my parents were at work would listen to Martha Jean religiously. We would be mad because we wanted to listen to the other stations.

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 08:20 am:

Graham --
"I'll Bet You" was based on Martha Jean's line? Could that be true?

By Eli (151.197.5.134) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 10:24 am:

In the early seventies we did an album for Diane Steinberg on Atlantic who was Martha Jean's daughter.
The Young Professionals were the producers.

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 11:07 am:

Bobby, wow ...

You truly were everywhere. Diana can still be heard on her mother's station as a host ...what was her voice like, I never heard her singing? Her speaking voice is just like her mother's.

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 11:22 am:

p.s. Bobby, what high school did you go to? My dad grew up in North Philly and went to Northeastern ...I lived there in my preschool years.

By Uptight! (24.55.6.144) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 04:51 am:

StingBeeLee: I must have been mistaken! James Cleveland's "Without A Song" WAS the song she started every show with. Now I'd like to find a copy of that song.

By Bohawk (62.252.128.6) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 05:52 am:

I remember sitting on my front porch on Kenilworth st. between Brush and
Oakland, in July 1967 during the riot.. the National Guard posted up at Alger
elementary school.. listening to Martha Jean the Queen and Ernie Duram,
BLASTING "THE SWEETEST THING, THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN.

WHO REMEMBERS..????

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 08:33 am:

Martha Jean played "Without A Song" everyday at 12:00 noon.

I do remember listening to Martha Jean during the 1967 riots. I think all stations were tuned in to her. She was "The Queen." The National Guards were also at Northwestern High School. I think they made their headquarters at the State Fair grounds. The Queen loved to play James Cleveland. When I think of the 1968 riots when MLK was killed, I think of "Stood On The Banks of Jordan" by James Cleveland which Martha Jean played at least three times a day, along with other songs. During those riots, she stayed on all day, and most of the night.

Actually Sue, she looked over us with her understanding, prayers, and asserted authority.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 08:34 am:

I didn't mean all stations, I meant all radios.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 08:43 am:

I'm playing "The Lord will see you through".

Rev James has a lady join him half way through but I don't know who it is. Or when this was recorded.

Sensational.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 01:46 pm:

Fantastic to see this article by Sue in the News today.
http://www.detnews.com/2003/entertainment/0302/22/d01-91341.htm

Thanks
David

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 02:18 pm:

Yes DMeikle, it is indeed fantastic.

Susan Whitall - You truly captured it. The article is 100 percent perfect. That was the way it was, and is today. The Queen filled the City with love and hope. Through the years of every emotion and every event in your memory of life in Detroit, you remember The Queen. As she was a part of your own life.

You could hear her church sermons on the radio "Without a song, the day would never end" "...to the sick and shut ins..." "Don't get me started", she would say.

If you remember Martha Jean The Queen, then you remember an important part of great history.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 02:54 pm:

Sue - Do you have a copy of the inspirational words the Queen was saying when she was playing "Without A Song?" If so, would you post it or email it to me. I think it would be of interest. I used to know it by heart.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 03:04 pm:

DMeikle - That is a beautiful song by Rev. James Cleveland. I don't know who the lady is, but I'm thinking it was someone in his own group "The Cleveland Singers." There was a special lady in that group who usually sang with him. I will check my info for her name.

By Nikki (24.46.200.124) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 03:16 pm:

"Without A Song" was released in Oct. 1965 on Savoy by James Cleveland and the Cleveland Singers. Several of the sopranos who sang with him in his group were Diana Dickens and Odessa McCastle.

Nikki

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 03:38 pm:

Nikke - Do you have any information the who the lady is singing with him on "The Lord Will See You Through?"

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 04:05 pm:

Sue - Thinking of those "bonus checks," there were quite a few guys who did not like Martha Jean because she did tell the wives when the checks were being given out. (LOL)

By Nikki (24.46.200.124) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 04:13 pm:

Hi Sis (by the way what is your real first name????

I can't find that exact title in my gospel discography for James Cleveland, the Cleveland Singers, or James Cleveland and Voices of Tabernacle. There are many titles SIMILAR and with the word "Lord" in it, but not the one you asked about. If it's past 1969, it won't show up. The gospel bible I use only goes up to 1969 issues. It is called GOSPEL RECORDS 1943 - 1969 A Black Music Discography by Cedric J. Hayes and Robert Laughton.

Nikki

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 04:45 pm:

Thanks David and Sis,

Sis I don't have the words to that "Without a Song" rap ...right now I'm looking for the Marvin version of "Eyes on the Sparrow"!

I have all the words to "Tasting Time" basically because I've been listening to it every day on 'QBH at 6, to remind myself ...

And yeah, that guy Tim I quoted went into great length on the "men didn't like Martha Jean" subject, because she was always outing them on stuff -- when the checks were coming, when they were off work, etc. He laughed when he said it; said he understood that women were her first concern ...

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 05:05 pm:

"His Eyes On A Sparrow" by Marvin is on the Motown CD "In Loving Memory."

By Eli (151.197.38.142) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 08:25 pm:

Yeah Sue,
It seems as though I was everywhere , just like horses**t!!!Kind of the poor man's Forrest Gump .
Cant run worth a d**M!!!
I actualy once shook the hand of Dr. King!!!
Anyway, Diane was not a great singer unfortunately, although a sweet person.

By 65 memories (66.72.183.0) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 08:48 pm:

Sue..On the DJ Legends thread I congratulated you on your Martha Jean the Queen article which appeared this morning. Now I know why you whet our appetite with your Martha Jean questions earlier this week. By the way, Marvin Gaye's "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" (Stereo mix) can also be found on "The Very Best Of Marvin Gaye" (Motown, 2001) which can be purchased at Borders.
Gary Torgerson

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 09:44 pm:

Eli - When you think about it, we have touched every phase of life. Think about what has happened since we have been born. Think of the type of music that was playing when we were born, and how it has changed up until now. The Civil Rights Movements. We have even gone into another millinium.

By TD (68.69.127.104) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 11:13 pm:

I used to love listening to WJLB and especially Martha Jean The Queen in the early 70's.

TD

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58) on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 02:45 am:

Sue,
Yes, George Clinton co-wrote this after being invited to pen something along the lines of "I'll Betcha" by Ed Wingate, the owner of Golden World Records. This was in 1966.
The song was also recorded by Billy Butler, brother of Jerry, for Brunswick Records.
Have you ever heard Theresa Lindsey's original version on Golden World?
Graham

By BOHAWK (198.81.27.10) on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 01:56 am:

Back in the day..B4 they became popular..I think all the acts came through PHELPS LOUNGE.. on Oakland, on the northend.."WHO REMEMBERS"
Parlarment..Joe Tex..Edwin Starr
"WHO REMEMBERS" skating at the "ARCADE"

By David Meikle (81.135.74.170) on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 09:17 am:

Bohawk

You'll find an ad from the Arcadia, on Woodward, in the final instalment of the Golden World story.

Due in 2 weeks.

David