By FAYETTE (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 03:10 pm:

THERE ARE SOME SINGERS OR GROUPS THAT HAD A HIT
THAT JUST SKY ROCKETED,BUT NO MORE HITS AFTER.
NAME A GROUP OR SINGER THAT YOU THOUGHT WOULD
BE THERE FOR THE LONG HAUL.

I THOUGHT EDDIE HOLMAN AND DYNAMIC SUPERIORS

By JoeR (170.148.10.42) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 03:54 pm:

Would the Capitols qualify (aren't they Detroit artists too?)

I enjoyed their cover of 'Hello Stranger' on the B side of 'I'm A Girl Watcher'.

JoeR - http://mypages.netopia.com/channels

By fayette (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 04:04 pm:

joe i thought another group did girl watcher.
i used to twist down the street in atlanta
humming dat song

By JoeR (170.148.10.42) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 04:25 pm:

fayette...

You are right,

I think they may have done "Cool Jerk". My bad! I think I got the DETROIT part right...

JoeR - http://mypages.netopia.com/channels

By fayette (152.163.188.68) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 05:30 pm:

joe was that group called the okaysion or
something like that

By TonyRussi (68.18.48.42) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 12:46 pm:

The Okaysions did do "I'm A Girl Watcher" early 70's I think. I heard that they had former Drifters in that group.

By Eli (151.197.37.171) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 01:02 pm:

The O kaysions were a white group.


One hit wonders..... Not genre specific
Major Harris
Phil Phillips
Jimmy Soul
The Intrigues
Patti and the Emblems
The Exiters
The Majors
Montell Jordan
The Baha Men
The Chords
Morris Albert
Don Ho
Rick Dees
Gilbert O'Sullivan

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 01:20 pm:

Eli... The band on Phil Phillips' "Sea Of Love" was Cookie (Hugh Thierry) & the Cupcakes, who had a hit with the cajun classic "Mathilda."

But you probably knew that...

Anyway, even though Phil Phillips and Cookie & the Cupcakes were one-hit wonder acts, they were related.

Love that swamp-pop!

By TonyRussi (68.18.48.42) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 01:41 pm:

One hit wonder: "Party Lights" by Claudine Clark...what a rockin' record from 1962 and it was suppose to be the "B"side of the 45.Claudine Clark also wrote it and I understand she was a music major in college.I never even heard any of her follow ups until the 90's so did she get any airplay on the follow ups?The other material I heard by her was...not too good however "Party Lights" will always be a record that puts a smile on my face and makes me clap & tap my feet.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 02:27 pm:

Eli, I wouldn't consider the Exciters one-hit
wonders. Although "Tell Him" was a MONSTER hit,
"He's Got The Power", "Doo Wha Diddy," "A Little
Bit Of Soap", and a couple of others did well--
if not so big nationally--certainly in regional
markets, particularly in central and south
Florida. They kind of were out there and lasted
for awhile into the 70s recording for several
labels.

By Scratcher (65.132.77.165) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 02:58 pm:

The term One Hit Wonder has come to mean an artist who has had only one record to enter the Pop Top 40. It doesn't take into account local or regional R&B or pop hits that failed to reach the magic Pop Top 40.

Most artists are really No Hit Wonders as most artists never had a record that entered the Pop Top 40.

So, according to that definition, Major Harris is a One Hit Wonder since only one of his singles reach the Pop Top 40; but in reality Harris, the Exciters and many others had other recordings that scored high on Billboard and Cashbox's R&B charts and even enter the lower rungs on their pop surveys.

By fayette (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 04:22 pm:

see mr eli i should have added okaysions to the white artist, black artist post i didn't know they were
white.

By Eli (151.197.37.171) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 04:41 pm:

I should know as I wrote and produced Major's "one hit"

By Scratcher (65.134.147.144) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 05:13 pm:

I gave the criteria for a one hit wonder used by Wayne Jancik the author of One Hit Wonders, which I don't necessarily agree with.

I also liked "Loving You Is Mellow" by Major Harris, but it wasn't considered a hit.

By Eli (151.197.37.171) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 05:28 pm:

Thanks Scratcher. I also did an unreleased version by the Aristocrats for Warners but as it went the powers that were..well, you know the rest!

Also yes it's true that the Janick book only states hits which have "crossed over" ion to the "pop" charts.
I believe that MFSB is in there too . He forgot about Love is the message.

By Eli (151.197.37.171) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 05:33 pm:

In fact, I almost forgot . I did the Aristocrats version a year and a half before the Major!!!
Billy Hunt the lead singer is a phenomenonal singer till this day. He and his sisters are working the vegas circuit as they all live there.
I once recorded them as Triple Play for the Catawba label.

By Scratcher (65.134.147.144) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 05:40 pm:

Eli, what is the name of the female singer you co-wrote about an album worth of songs with that I'm unsure whether they came out or not?

By fayette (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 06:04 pm:

scratcher, i remember major singing that on that
live cd with margie joseph etc.i wondered why that didn't hit(loving you is mellow)

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.38) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 06:53 pm:

Well, here's a couple that I might add....

From the "Top 40" (1967) 'one-hit' roster, these two recorded R&B 'gems' have long been 'dispatched' into relatively faded obscurity, in that these 'two' are virtually 'forgotten' since their initial release, back in '67.

But these two record titles became popular hits, as they were listed "TOP 10" on various local Detroit radio, and eventually, they became major selling *hits* (here in Detroit) back when, long ago, right here in Motown:

"THE RIVER IS WIDE" .... The FORUM (MIRA Records)
"PATA PATA" .... MIRIAM MAKEBA (REPRISE Records)

Anyone here remembers both of these 'rare', R&B gems?

Of these two record R&B '45s, I've since entrusted (a long time ago) these 'originals', as only a couple of my 'obscure' favorites from the year... 1967!

By fayette (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 06:57 pm:

oh i remember pata pata. i played that song to
death as a teenager.didn't know what she was
saying but love the song.and letta she song a
song aredez

By Karyl (158.252.72.53) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 07:09 pm:

Barbara Acklin's LOVE MAKES A WOMAN. I LOVE that song!!!

BTW, Barbara was also a writer and co-wrote, along with David Scott, Jackie Wilson's WHISPERS (GETTIN' LOUDER).

By fayette (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 07:14 pm:

karyl i didn't know that

By Beebopman (67.37.77.141) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 07:33 pm:

How about Rocky Robbins (You and Me). Great singer. Good looking. One hit as far as I know

Beebopman

By fayette (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 07:58 pm:

wouldn't the dynamic superior's (shoe,shoe shine)
be classified as a one hit wonder

By Scratcher (65.132.76.226) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 08:22 pm:

The Dynamic Superiors would be no hit wonders according to Wayne Jancik's system because they never had a record that made it into the Pop Top 40.

The Dynamic Superiors had two nice soul hits: "Shoe, Shoe Shine" and "Leave It Alone," you know the song with the chorus--"if you're gonna call me a liar, I double dare you to try it, and if you want to see the best in me, all you gotta do is test me, and if can't bring it on home to ya, then I'll leave it alone." Classic Ashford & Simpson.

They say Berry Gordy only considered the Motown recordings that made the Pop Top 40 hits.

By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 08:30 pm:

True Beebopman....that was his only hit, but because someone made the (career suicide) decision that he would not tour in support of that album. I think folks at the label failed to realize that it was the vocal *and* that Larry Graham bass line which drove "You and Me"...but not far enough to let Rockie sit at home. (He released another CD about a year or so ago too...)
Fayette...I don't know how the Dynamic Superiors charted with any of their songs....But I would not consider them to be "1 hit wonders". Perhaps it was a regional thing...but "Leave It Alone" and 1 or 2 other singles seemed to do "quite well". In fact...The Natural Four ("Can This Be Real") would come closer to "1 Hit Wonder status than the Dynamic Superiors.

By Vandelron (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 08:33 pm:

I read that Barbara Acklin had also been like road manager for someone like Dionne Warwick but I cant remember who exactly. She also had a seller in Am I the Same Girl(aka Soulful Strut-Young Holt Trio).

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 08:56 pm:

Scratcher - I have both those 45's by the Dynamic Superiors. Both are great recordings. I think they lived in California, I'm here in the Motorcity. So, the songs were played here. They came here to perform and I was there enjoying every minute of their performance. I believe "Sylvester" came from that group.

By Scratcher (65.132.76.226) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 09:08 pm:

The Dynamic Superiors sprung from Washington, D.C.; their lead singer was openly gay. Sylvester would have fit in well with this bunch but I don't believe he ever sang with them.

Ashford and Simpson produced their first two Motown albums, which were their best work. They scored a disco hit with "Nowhere to Run" I think; but I didn't pay much attention to them after Ashford & Simpson stopped producing and writing for them.

After Motown, I never heard anything else from them and don't have a clue as to their whereabouts or what they've been up to.

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 09:19 pm:

Scratcher,good point.Many of the artists were not one hit wonders,but made the charts in the bubbling under,then might even pop back up a year latter in the top 40,or top 10,with the same recording.How about the "MARVELETTES",singing as the "DARNELLS"(GORDY LABEL)-to hurt to cry,to much in love to say goodbye/come on home.They sure as heck weren't one hit wonders,but this record was at 117 for two weeks,that is a bubbling under.
"BUBBLING UNDER" could possibly be a interesting thread to start.-"ITS THE MUSIC DAMMITT"!!!!!!!!!!

"COUNT"

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 09:23 pm:

Eli,

Actually, Gilbert O'Sullivan had at least 2 hits. Alone Again Naturally and Clare. He used to appear occassionally on The Mike Douglas Show. Wasn't that out of Philly? Not that I'm really diggin' the Gilbert groove or anything..!

By Caleb (209.245.112.136) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 09:35 pm:

Boy Meets Girl-"Waiting For A Star To Fall"-never heard from them again.

By stephanie (64.63.221.126) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 09:43 pm:

Horse
Gilbert O Sullivan also did Oooh Baby and Get Down remember those?
Stephanie
PS and Really Out of the Question I used to love his songs...

By Eli (151.197.37.171) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 01:58 am:

Boy Meets Girl are George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam who wrote How will I know and I want to dance with somebody who loves me for Whitney.
They were once married but no more.
I saw George at Thom Bells birthday bash and he said that they are working on new material once again.

By David Meikle (213.122.148.207) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:32 am:

I think the Rockie Robbins track was from an album of the same name?

His follow up album "I believe in love" is superb.

Was a great fan at one time.

Thanks for mentioning beebopman.

By Allen (24.165.80.21) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 06:28 am:

Getting a hit record is like catching lightening in a bottle. When ever I hear the Phrase "One Hit Wonder", I want to ask the person who said it, "Where is yours?"

It's one of the hardest things to accomplish. Not only do you have to be lucky enough to wrangle an idea that is interesting enough to catch the attention of a massive amount of people, ...

It has to happen at a time when all the pieces are in place to manufacture, market and distribute it. In a time frame that is always changing, to a demographic some jerk is telling you, is your target audience .

Allen

By Beebopman (67.38.92.60) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 09:39 pm:

Thanks for the comment David. I just thought of another one-hit-wonder. How about a duo called "Bell and James". They recorded out of California somewhere. Don't know if the "Bell" was related to the ever phenomenal Thom Bell. But they had a good sound. Thom was involved with the group in that he either produced some of the songs or was the executive producer for their alblum. The hits I remember were: "Only Make Believe" and "Say It's Going to Last Forever".
Anyone remember them. I mean I never heard anything from them after that alblum and it was a quality product.

Beebopman

By Greg C. (209.71.79.165) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 09:51 pm:

Sure I remember Bell & James. Their biggest hit was "Livin'It Up (Friday Night)" and they recorded two albums for the A&M label. LeRoy Bell, the "Bell" of the duo was the brother of Thom Bell. "James" was Casey James. I don't know much about him. Thom Bell was the Executive Producer of both of their albums, "Bell & James"-1978 and "Only Make Believe.-1979"

By stephanie (64.63.221.181) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 09:51 pm:

What about Livin It Up that was the first hit..
Stephanie

By douglasm (68.113.15.28) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 09:53 pm:

Jim....
....Is "The River Is Wide" you referenced any relation to the Grass Roots single by the same name?

By Mark Speck (64.158.97.145) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 11:46 pm:

I can answer that one, Doug...yes, it WAS the same song as the Grass Roots hit!

The Roots's version is similar in tempo, but the difference is this: you can understand what the Grass Roots are singing! The vocals on the Forum version are a little hard to decipher.

Best,

Mark

By Heikki (62.71.79.239) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 03:28 am:

Hi Greg!
Leroy was Thom's nephew.

By Eli (151.197.41.133) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 03:36 am:

Yes Leroy Bell is Thom's nephew. He was at the birthday bash looking dapper as ever.
He is still writing and producing although not so much with Casey . They were a marvelous team and they wrote This Time Baby which produced for Jackie Moore , originally by the Ojays which eewe cut in Seattle which was Babbitt on basses, Charles Collins on drums, Tony Bell and myself on gitfiddles,George Merrill and Thom on keys, Larry Washington on percussion.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 12:04 pm:

Karyl & Fayette:
Barbara Acklin not only co-wrote "Whispers" for Jackie but many of the Chi-lites' hits:

"Have You Seen Her" 1971(she wrote the bridge "Why oh why did she have to leave & go away....")

"Toby" (1974)

"Let Me Be The Man My Daddy Was" (1969)

"Stoned Out Of My Mind" (1973)

She & Eugene also wrote "What Happened" for the Artistics & "Suddenly" for Tony Drake, among others.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By TonyRussi (68.18.48.42) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 12:50 pm:

Didn't Bell & James have a big hit with "Livin It Up Friday Night"on A&M Records. I know I have the 45 somewhere in my record boxes. That was a pretty big hit down here.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 04:09 pm:

Tony:
Yes, "Livin' It Up" was a top ten pop/r&b hit on A&M, circa 1978. I have the album which is indeed funky.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By fayette (152.163.188.68) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 04:13 pm:

speaking for chilites,wasn't eugene record
married to a singer?????

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.101) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 04:42 pm:

Since Fayette mentioned Eddie Holman as a one hit wonder at the top of this thread, and I previously mentioned that I was not a big fan of the "Hey There Lonely Girl" record, I'll be fair and mention that I actually really like his earlier song "This Can't be True". I don't know if it counts as a hit, but it at least cracked the R&B top 20.

Regards,
Ken

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 05:04 pm:

Ken:
Didn't Eddie record a bunch of singles for Cameo-Parkway that charted besides "This Can't Be True" which was his first Top 20 R&B hit? Maybe Weldon MacDougal can chime in on this one.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 05:07 pm:

Fayette:
Eugene Record & Barbara Acklin were married for a few years. They continued to collaborate as songwriters after their marriage ended.

Barbara passed away in November 1998.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Scratcher (65.132.77.14) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 05:12 pm:

Are you sure KevGo? That was the rumor that got spread, that Eugene Record and Barbara Acklin were married, but they never were.

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.101) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

Kev - The other early EH modest hit I know of is "Am I a Loser (From The Start)" which was around the same time as "This Can't Be True" and also went top 20 R&B.

Regards,
Ken

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 06:27 pm:

Scratcher:
Before she passed, Barbara told me she & Eugene had a relationship for many years while they were writing together.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Scratcher (65.132.77.14) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 06:41 pm:

RELATIONSHIP is the keyword here: They never legally married.

Some things are printed so much that many assumed they are facts.

For instance:

For years Junior Walker told everybody that Autry Dewalt was his birth name, which was news to his relatives in Arkansas where he grew up who knew him as Oscar Mixon. It seems Walker took on the Dewalt name after settling in South Bend, IN.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 06:44 pm:

Scratcher:
Never admitted to being perfect...
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Scratcher (65.132.77.14) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 06:55 pm:

No problem, KevGo, I once went for that one too. Plus, it's printed as fact all over the Internet. Both Record and Acklin are/were private people so the tidbit spread unchecked. In addition, they wrote so many songs together--lovey dovey songs, and writers leaped to that conclusion. I wonder if Acklin ever married or had kids.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 07:02 pm:

One Hit Wonders - Are the 8 Track tapes. (LOL)
I purchsed only 2 8 track tapes: "Super Taylor" and "Sam Cooke."

How would you like two (2) sealed 8 track tapes of David Ruffin?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2513803092&category=1601

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 07:02 pm:

Barbara had two kids that I know of - a son & a daughter. Her daughter toured with the Chi-lites as a background singer in 1998 (and she's drop-dead gorgeous!).
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 07:05 pm:

Sis:
KEEP THOSE TAPES! Eight-track cartridges are worth so much money, Ebay would crash!
Besides, they sound so much better than cassettes.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Beebopman (67.37.77.195) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 09:59 pm:

Kevin, are you sure about those 8 tracks? man, I have over 80 tapes that I've stored in my file cabinet. I still have an 8-track player that I bring out for summer bar-b-ques and freak out the kids. Are they really worth anything?

Beebopman

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 10:47 pm:

BeeBopMan:
If the 8-tracks are sealed, yes they are.
I've known street vendors here in NYC who have sold 8-tracks for five to ten dollars a pop - they always sell out because some collector will drop money for them.
By the way, keep me in mind for those summer barbeques! I'll bring my Al Green & Bobby Womack 8-tracks!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By douglasm (68.113.15.28) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 10:53 pm:

Praise to the yard sale.
There's stuff out there on 8-track I can't find on records anymore, and hasn't seen the light of CD's.

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 12:43 am:

IF BRAINS WERE DYNOMITE,you couldn't blow your nose.8-tracks are as usless as a foot ball bat,sealed or not.Your into the wrong books man.
"COUNT"

By Beebopman (67.37.77.178) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 11:58 am:

Kevin:
Thanks for the information. And I'll keep you in mind for those Bar-B-Q's. Definitely bring your Womack and Green 8-tracks. Sounds like a party.

And Count: What are you basing your opinion on.

By Caleb (209.245.119.73) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 12:29 pm:

One hit wonder:"Dynomite"by Bazuka-Tony Camillo's creation-rhythym section he used.Babbitt on bass,etc.

By sdl (208.59.124.106) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 02:15 pm:

Len Barry - the Blue-eyed soul singer of "1-2-3" fame.

By Eli (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 05:52 pm:

Len had a second hit, Like a baby.

By Caleb (65.59.101.118) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 11:31 pm:

Bobby,do you know if those Bell & James albums are available in CD format?

By Eli (205.188.209.38) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 07:21 am:

Caleb,
I seriously do not think that they were issued on cd as their popularity was not that great as to have them reissued on cd.

By Vandelron (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 10:56 am:

Wasnt Somewhere also a hit for Len Barry?Also wasnt there a lawsuit over 1-2-3 and they had to pay a lot to Motown or someone?

By Eli (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 11:17 am:

Vandelron,
Yes it's true that there was a lawsuit.
1-2-3 was "borrowed' from the supremes Ask Any Girl which was the flip of Baby Love and Motown and HDH sued all those involved and the writing credits then read Borisoff, Huff, Madara, HDH.
I was on the scene at the time and I can verify it.
I can remember the day that John Madara told me to tell Len Barry that the Decca deal came through.
Madara and White shared an office at the time and Decca gave then the grand salary of $250 a piece per week which was a lot of cash for early 1965!!
Before that they ran the local mercury a&r /production office at the same location, same office at 250 s. Broad second floor. G&H later were on the sixth floor originally in the lod Jerry Ross office where Gamble worked and later expanding to the whole floor.

Somewhere was a mid sized hit .

By the way, T.J. Lubinsky is looking for Len to be on the WQED show and I told him so but I dont know what's up with that yet.

By Vandelron (205.188.209.38) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 11:48 am:

Does Len perform?Do and he and the Dovelles together?

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 10:52 am:

Does anyone remember the Rocky Fellers? "Killer
Joe" on Scepter Records? They were 4 or 5 brothers from the Philippines. They had an LP
and several releases on Scepter and later recorded
for Parkway. I never have heard what happened to
them or where they are today and what they are
doing. I do remember they had really good harmony.

By Vandelron (205.188.209.38) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 06:19 pm:

I remember them. I wonder why tehy didnt make that book One Hit Wonders.

By FAYETTE (64.12.97.7) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 06:27 pm:

would the floater's(FLOAT ON) BE A ONE HIT
WONDER

By motown_david (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 01:51 pm:

The Rocky Fellers have recently had a collection of their recordings released over here in England. Two friends of mine, Mick and Malcolm, compiled it and the sleeve notes say something about what they're doing these days. Sorry to be vague about this but I didn't bother to buy it myself! I could find out if you're that interested!
Best wishes,
David.

By Eli (151.197.37.150) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 05:21 pm:

Shake you down...Gregory Abbott

By Eli (151.197.37.150) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 05:24 pm:

Len Barry and the Dovells have been like the Hatfields and the Mc Coys of music as they have not united since Len left in '64 due to some kind of spat.
I wish that they could just kiss and make up and reuinite. Same goes for the original Delfonics and Blue Magic.

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 07:43 am:

Another (Philly) group that falls into this category must be the Showstoppers.

A funny story concerning them........"Ain't Nothing But A HouseParty" was a big UK club / radio hit at least 3 times (and it made the pop charts here once, if not twice).

They were so popular in the UK around 68/69 (?) that a 'promoter' fetched over a NY based group to masquerade as the Showstoppers and undertake an extensive live performance tour. The group had to learn the 2/3 popular Showstoppers tracks & build a 40 minute act to perform.

At the time the Showstoppers themselves were sitting at home in Philly with nothing to do as their 45 hadn't exploded in the US as it had in the UK. Therefore there wasn't any real demand for them to do live shows and I guess they would have undertaken a UK tour for about the same fee that the fake group commanded.

CRAZY or what.............

By RD (63.188.32.235) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 08:39 am:

That New York based group was the Persuaders.

By peedee (199.196.144.16) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 03:49 pm:

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO 5 SPECIAL (WHY LEAVE US alone)? with ron banks brother as lead ?

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 05:35 pm:

5 Special - I don't know the where abouts of Ron's brother, Bryan. But Steve Boyd is with George Clinton, Mike Patillo is with Dennis Edwards, Greg Finley sometimes backgrounds for Ali Woodson. (Steve Harris & Greg Finley were with Dennis but were replaced by David Sea, and Chris Arnold.)

http://www.members.tripod.com/wenkiah/backstagepassphotos/id5.html

By Sly fan (67.115.75.96) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 05:42 pm:

"Why Leave Us Alone" is an all time classic!! 5 Special was my group!!

Good Luck Man-Frank Lucas
18 With a Bullet-Peter Wingfield
Come and Get Your Love-Redbone

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 05:42 pm:

Steve Boyd was with the Ron Banks & The Dramatics for a couple of Lp's, after LJ went solo.

By Heikki (62.71.79.239) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 03:01 am:

Hi Peedee!
Mike Pattillo was the founder of Five Special. When starting out as the Explosions in the late 60s, they had Mike, Bryan Banks, Steve Harris, Butch Rudolph and Kenny Blake in the line-up - then also a guy named Zig Stanley for awhile, but he was soon replaced by Steve Boyd - so the established line-up became Mike, Bryan, Greg Finley, Steve Harris and Steve Boyd.

- first recording in '76
- peak year in '79 (Why Leave Us Alone etc.)
- three albums between '79 and '81
- disbanded in '83 (although occasional reunions in different line-ups still after that)
- members went with other acts, as SisDetroit wrote already

Today Bryan is in computer software business putting together computer programs for two of the biggest pharmacy chains.
Bryan: "I retired from earning my living that way. From time to time, when somebody asked me to go on the road and help somebody, I did. I never stopped feeling like a singer. I even built a studio in my house and I still have it. I recorded some stuff of my own, but I really don't know what to do with it"
(the third part of the Dramatics story in Soul Express # 2/2000).
Best regards
Heikki

By Flo Murdock (68.51.53.128) on Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 11:43 am:

With the mentions of Phil Phillips, I couldn't resist posting that he will be performing at the Ponderosa Stomp at the Rock 'N Bowl in New Orleans between JazzFest weeks. (For Detroit connections, so will Nathaniel Mayer and Gino Washington.)

By 1wicked (66.27.31.189) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 06:41 pm:

I can't believe Five Special came up without anyone mentioning that killer Coca Cola commercial they did (prior to the release of "Why Leave Us Alone") !!

By Mark Speck (65.56.62.167) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 11:46 pm:

Redbone were NOT one-hit wonders: they had "Maggie" and "Witch Queen of New Orleans" prior to "Come and Get Your Love".

Best,

Mark

By Sly fan (67.119.53.200) on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 09:24 pm:

I have to look those songs up as far as chart position. But I remember "Come and Get Your Love" as THE hit that really put em' out there.
Thanx a mil.

By Mark Speck (65.56.216.94) on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 12:37 am:

"Witch Queen" was at least a Top 40 record. It's been on numerous '70s comps and unfortunately has been underplayed on most oldies stations in favor of "Come and Get Your Love". They're both great tunes (as was "Maggie").

Best,

Mark

By dvdmike (65.208.234.61) on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 07:13 am:

"Love Jones" by The Brighter Side Of Darkness. Their one and only hit record went Gold. Produced by Clarence Johnson and arranged by Tom Tom Washington, the single, released on the 20th Century label reached #3 R&B and #16 Pop on Billboard's charts. 12-year old Darryl Lamont handled the lead vocal and co-writer Randolph Murph did the raps. The session was cut at Stereo Sonic Studios on Michigan and Grand on the Magnificent Mile. The engineer was Ed Cody. There were other releases by the group, but only one other record, the follow-up to "Love Jones", "I Owe You Love", written and arranged by Vince Willis made the R&B chart.

By fayette (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 08:19 am:

mr eli, was blue magic a one hit wonder(sideshow)
wonder why as talented as they were,they never
had more solid hits.

By Eli (151.197.5.225) on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 10:13 am:

Fayete,
Blue Magic had a lot of hits but Sideshow was the only one to be certified gold.

Spell
Stop to start
Look me up
Tear it down
Sideshow
Three ring circus
Grateful
Love hes found its way to me
Chasing rainbows
Summer snow

Were but a few.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 10:26 am:

Hey Bobby:
Just came in from another thread. Fayette was inquiring about Ronnie Dyson's version of "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely". I know you brought it up before but could you briefly explain if he recorded it first (I know Blue Magic cut a version)and who produced Ronnie's rendition.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By viking fan (66.77.210.207) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 11:48 pm:

ERIC& THE VIKINGS where are they now

By Eli (141.151.23.9) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 11:58 pm:

Hi Kev..
Ronnie Dyson recorded the song first and it was produced by Thom Bell.

By viking fan (66.77.212.46) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 03:49 am:

eric& the vikings website vikingsforever.com

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 05:12 am:

I WONDER WHY THE VIKINGS PAGE IS ALL TYPED IN CAPITALS??? DOESN'T MAKE IT THAT EASY TO READ - DOES IT?!

By Kegtapper (65.58.39.150) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 05:55 pm:

Yeah.. Tough Read...I had to copy and paste it into notepad, just to make head from tales!!!

I did send them a note that OLD FOLK have a hard time reading it..LOL

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.70) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 05:59 pm:

Hey Kegtapper,
Did you get those scans I sent you of Mitch and the Detroit Wheels?
Sorry folks.
mel.

By Kegtapper (65.58.39.150) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 06:08 pm:

Has anyone ever heard of this one hit wonder? --- Loe And Joe -- any Info

Nope MEL Which Forum???

Searching...

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.70) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 06:10 pm:

Kegtapper,
I e.mailed them to your address.
mel.

By Scratcher (65.132.76.145) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 06:11 pm:

Loe and Joe, Lorrie Rudolph and Joe Weaver, were no hit wonders. They recorded for Harvey and Gwen Fuqua's label.

By Kegtapper (65.58.39.150) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 06:17 pm:

Sorry Mel I have not gotten them
Just Checked- no attachments.

kegtapper@brew-meister.com ???

By Kegtapper (65.58.39.150) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 06:19 pm:

Thanks Scratcher.

Am I missing a program or something? How Yall keep up with old this old stuff???

By Scratcher (65.132.76.145) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 07:13 pm:

Kegtapper, Loe and Joe was Lorri Rudolph and Joe Murphy, my memory failed me that time.

By Kegtapper (63.208.186.125) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 09:10 pm:

LOL Scratcher... I guess most of US old timers have been afflicted with CRS- welcome to the club!


We can do the words to tunes 40 years old but can't remember who sang em...

By Scratcher (65.134.147.213) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 09:38 pm:

Naw, I always got Joe Weaver and Joe Murphy a.k.a. Joe Charles mixed up. Both go back a long way.

By Kegtapper (63.208.186.125) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 10:32 pm:

OK Thanks SCRATCHER -

Is there anything about them on the GOLDEN WORLD side of this site? Checking....

By Beebopman (68.73.25.90) on Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 10:32 pm:

Just thought of another "One Hit Wonder". Angelo Bond.."Reach for the Moon".

Beebopman

By Soul Sister (65.43.153.219) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 11:00 pm:

One Hit Wonder, my old friend from Ann Arbor / Detroit Artist Deon Jackson.