By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 03:58 pm:

Graham sent in half a dozen scans. I can throw in a few too. Let's see if we can do the discography.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:01 pm:

The address on issue one is probably 2461 Beaubien. We found the building in amongst the most appaling debris. Amazingly, it was one of the most interesting photographed to date.

Issue 3 address was still there in 2001.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:02 pm:

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:05 pm:

As we can see, the MRC label gets issue 000.6

Does MRC stand for Mike, Renaldo and Chuck? I'd love to know.

Here's issue 7

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:07 pm:

I'll take break until tomorrow.

Does anyone have a scan of issue 000.8 - Leaping Flames "Dance Social"?

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:30 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:31 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:32 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:38 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:41 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:43 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:44 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:45 pm:

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:45 pm:

MAH'S DISCOGRAPHY (according to the R&B Indies Directory):
0001 EGYPTIANS
Inkster Boogie/The Party Stomp

0002 BILLY KENT & THE ANDANTES
Take All Of Me/Your Love

0003 MIKE A. HANKS
The Hawk/When True Love Comes To Me

0004 MIKE HANKS & THE DEL-PHIS
I Think About You Part 1 & 2

0005 JIMMY GREEN
A Girl Like Mine/Hey Little Girl

0006 no release

0007 LAWRENCE FAULKSON & THE SOUNDS
My Girl & My Friend/Why Should We Hide Our Love

0008 THE LEAPING FLAMES
Dance Social

0009 LEE ROGERS
Troubles/Walk On By

0010 BIG JACK REYNOLDS
You Don't Treat Me Right/Made It Up In Your Mind

0011 DON HEART
Just Say You Care/Miss V.I.P.

0012 & 0013 - no release

0014 MIKE HANKS
JFK part 1 & 2

0015 ROYAL RAVENS
All Over You/Grand Spanish Lady

1037 MAGIC TONES
Together We Shall Overcome/Fun To Be Young

1038 MAGIC TONES
Together We Shall Overcome/It's Better To Love

1039 MAGIC TONES
There Is Nothing Better Than Love/Let's Let Our Love Roll On

The ROULETTE, SEG-WAY & RIC-TIC labels were listed as distributors.

Hopes this helps.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.201) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:48 pm:

Mike moved a lot!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:50 pm:

PS - The MRC release of Reinaldo's "MY BONNIE" was listed in another part of the directory.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:51 pm:

C.Bell/Eric:
Are you in any way related to the "C.Bell" who is listed as a writer of many Hanks-related tunes?
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By C. Bell/Eric (64.157.170.185) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 05:26 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (64.157.170.185) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 05:28 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (64.157.170.185) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 05:32 pm:

Kevgo- I'm just a big fanatic of Mike Hanks stuff!
Melvin Davis told me that it was a fictitious writer name that Mike used. Graham told me that it was his mothers name or something like that. I'm C. Bell now! Later!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 05:47 pm:

Eric:
Donald Hanks (Mike's son) told me the same thing just a few minutes ago that "C. Bell" was a name his father cooked up back in the day.

I work for a label (Tuff City/Night Train Music) that has reissued the Fabulous Peps & Lee Rogers on LP/vinyl and will embark on a CD series of D-Town/Mah's-related releases later on this year. I can tell from the scans that you are indeed a big fan.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By fayette (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 05:51 pm:

fayette got 8-tracks and nothing to play them on

By LG Nilsson (213.89.30.85) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 05:56 pm:

Eric,

As you are a big Mike Hanks fan I have a special for you...



Mike & The Vandellas!

Lars

By LG Nilsson (213.89.30.85) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:44 pm:

Kev,

Corrections to the Mahs Discography above, we discussed this on the Solid Hit 108 thread regarding the 1037 & 1038 releases... Scans posted on same thread too...

First release was:

MAH'S #USD-1037 THE MAGIC TONES
(A) Together, We Shall Overcome (2:42) matrix #: 123
(B) Fun To Be Young (2:36) matrix #: 124
Distributed by Seg-Way Record Corporation. Released April, 1968. No Columbia ZTSC matrixes

Second release was:

MAH'S #1037 THE MAGIC TONES
(A) Together, We Shall Overcome (2:42) ZTSC-127298-1B
(B) It's Better To Love (2:30) ZTSC-127299-1A
Distributed by Ric-Tic Records, Detroit, MI. Released June, 1968.

MAH'S #1038 MAGIC TONES
There Is Nothing Better Than Love (2:25) ZTSC-127475-1C /Let's Let Our Love Roll On (2:40) ZTSC-127474-1C
Distributed by Ric-Tic Records, Detroit, MI. Released 1968.

MAH'S #1039 does not exist... yet!

Lars

By LG Nilsson (213.89.30.85) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:57 pm:

C.Bell/Eric,

Will you please post the scan of the B-side "Fun To Be Young" of the M-1037 above, as this is the first release (matrix 123/124)... same as the Solid Hit 108 release!

TIA
Lars

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 07:34 pm:

Lars:
I incorrectly typed the wrong catalog number from the R&B Indies Directory - their info and yours matches.

Give me a break...it ain't easy doing this while at work!

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By acooolcat (210.200.105.227) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 10:04 pm:

Two of Mike's recordings were released on the Detroit TUBA label in 1963...

Tuba 1705 - Don Heart - Lover's Hideaway / Take A Hint

Tuba 1706 - Dee Edwards - Tired of Staying Home / You Say You Love Me (And Need me)

The Dee Edwards' song "Tired of Staying Home" was also released on D-Town #1048.

I wonder if these may be the missing MAH'S catalogue numbers ...12 and 13?

Graham

By C. Bell/Eric (64.159.103.124) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 11:02 pm:

By LG Nilsson (212.247.9.242) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 04:00 am:

C.Bell/Eric,

Many thanks for the "Fun To Be Young" scan. Have you heard this song? What is it like?

Lars

By uardanjie (67.192.46.245) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 08:47 am:

Hello,

I haven't to many copies of my father's recordings. I would like to have a copy of
two recordings if someone is interested in
giving me a copy of: The Hawk and JFK.

Could you please send as a wave file or tape.
E-mail me personally.

Thanks,
U

By David Meikle (213.122.47.254) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 10:01 am:

Graham
Any idea who owned Tuba?

By LG Nilsson (213.89.30.85) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 10:13 am:

David,

I have got an address on Tuba 2010 "Sly Girl" by Derek Martin.

2950 W.Davison
Detroit, Michigan 48238

Hope that can help you.

Lars

By David Meikle (213.122.47.254) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 10:27 am:

Thanks Lars

I've been there, the building's last purpose in life was a garage.

It is very close to the Golden World building.

By acooolcat (210.200.105.227) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 12:09 pm:

David - I forget who the person was - but I think it was run by a distributorship. I'll check.
Graham

By Joe Moorehouse (205.188.209.16) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 01:40 pm:

Here is a Mah's ad from March, 1963.

By Joe Moorehouse (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 01:51 pm:

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 02:12 pm:

Joe

Thanks a million for that! Fantastic.

David

By LG Nilsson (213.89.30.85) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 03:45 pm:

I was just checking my J.J. Barnes 45's for another thread and found this Mickay's single.



Mike Hanks seems to have been everywhere in Detroit during the 60's. And the mysterious C.Bell is present too!

A Mike Hanks story here on SD looks like a giant work!

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 03:47 pm:

I've never seen that one before.

I love the design.

By Larry (216.23.183.2) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 05:50 pm:

David,

I like it too. Reminds me of the British Ska craze in the late 70's and/or New Wave thing both UK and Stateside.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 06:18 pm:

Hi Larry

It's good to know that our love of Ska/Bluebeat is known in California. Cue Ritchie.

I collected a number of Ska records in the sixties.

A memorable moment came in 1970 when we were in Manchester for an all-nighter at the Twisted Wheel.

Prior to the nighter we would trawl the record shops in the city. One afternoon while we were walking down Corporation Street, probably towards Ralph's Records, I spotted Desmond Dekker across the street.

Please don't ask me how I knew it was him, because right now I am puzzled!

I think he had bouncers with him.

Anyway, I shouted across the street "Hey Desmond how's it going".

A right happy looking guy, he sprinted across the street and gave us a right royal welcome. I'll never forget that.

Still got his autograph from that magical moment.

God bless Manchester.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 06:36 pm:

DMeikle - You are so lucky.

By Larry (216.23.183.2) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 06:45 pm:

Honestly David, I had to go surfing to find out who Desmond Dekker is. Thanks to DARPA I now know. Like most Americanos Dela Norte, my intro to Ska was The Specials, Madness, Bad Manners, The Selecter....you know, the big break-out ska bands. Thank you for sharing your story of a day in the life in Manchester. And for those of you who don't know Desmond Dekker and his impact on Reggae, Rockstead and Ska, a link and a pic:

http://www.reggaefusion.com/Performers/D/Desmond_Dekker.html

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 07:01 pm:

Thanks Larry

The "cover" groups did very well.

They raised the profile of the original music but as you know there (usually) is no substitute for those who went before.

You can actually liken this to what some of our Black brothers and sisters went through in the United States.

By Larry (216.23.183.2) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 07:20 pm:

Yes David,

I knew I was treading into thick waters...me a rookie posting about a King of a genre. I'm guilty of possessing a pop consciousness, but thankfully I've spent the past 30 years working on a cure.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 03:40 pm:

Great work on the Mah's listing - it looks as if those "gaps" have now been identified.

Mah's 0013 probably never existed, in common with many Detroit labels Mike probably thought it was
an unlucky numebr so skipped over it.

Now, has anybody got

Karen 0016 The Capitols
"Dog And Cat" / "The Kick"

it's their first record - from '63 so it would
fit in with the time line for Mah's. It's the
only Karen release I've heard of with a number
like that so it looks as if it was probably
a one-shot issue. If the label's design looks like
Mah's I think that'll nail it.

By acooolcat (210.200.105.227) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 10:13 pm:

Hi Davie
I don't have that Karen 45 by The Capitols - but notice there's another one listed that I've never seen or heard;

1004 - Mellow Harps - Our Love Will Grow

I don't know what the flip is - or if it's the same Detroit based Karen label.

Graham

By acooolcat (210.200.105.227) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 10:17 pm:

Joe
Nice ad' - where's it from?
I know you have Vivian Collin's "Answer Me." Have you heard the flip of the Eddie Willis 45 on Exit? It's an instrumental version.
Graham

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 09:36 am:

Hi Graham,

I'm not sure about that Mellow Harps record -
I'll see if I can find out some more about it.
My instinct tells me it's a different Karen
label - I think there were two, maybe three,
entirely separate labels of that name.

Mah's 0008 - I've got the flip listed as
"Sider Spider" - probably got the info. from
an ad. in one of the collector mags.

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.217.146) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 09:34 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.217.146) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 09:37 pm:

By Joe Moorehouse (205.188.209.16) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 09:20 am:

Graham, that ad cam from a 40-page publication called Mello-Music Tips. It's dated March 23, 1963 and is Volume 1, Number 5--so presumably there are at least four other editions out there somewhere. Published by GLP Enterprises in the Cadillac Tower. Sort of like a local version of Billboard.

By acooolcat (210.200.105.225) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 10:45 am:

Thanks Joe. I've never seen one of those before.
I've been informed by Bosko that the Karen 45 by The Mello Harps is not on the Detroit label... it's a new York thing from the 50s.
Who's got a copy of The Capitols 45?
Graham

By acooolcat (210.200.105.227) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 11:03 am:

Lars - Where do you get the "USD" ... 123 and 124 references from on the first Magic Tones release? Is "USD" in the runout?
Graham

By Keith Rylatt (217.137.88.8) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 11:18 am:

Hey guys this thread is STUNNING, Mike Hanks is certainly a difficult man to research. Does anyone have any info on him other than his labels, recordings & sad demise? Ralph & Dennis have both worked along side him but like his kids, have no info. Does anyone know if Carmen Murphy is still around? I have a little bit of info on her House of Beauty salon, cum beautician school, cum rehearsal rooms. I always assumed that Carmen handled the finances & admin while Mike was out doing the bizzo. PS my favourite record on Mahs is Big Jack Reynolds, `Made it up in your mind.` I have a photo of him, he's a good looking smoothy. Keith

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 11:57 am:

After reading this amazing thread I have come to realize how very little I knew of this exceptionally talented man. Once again Soulful Detroit has taken me to school.

By Keith Rylatt (217.137.88.29) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 02:02 pm:

Ralph As I've mentioned before, I spoke to Arnell, his son in '79 when he came to the UK with Raydio and more recently and he and his delightful sister, who comes onto this site, both know next to nothing about their dad. Graham, you must have unearthed some thing along the way? I know that Martin Koppel has been on the case, he approached Arnell some time back, but came out pretty empty handed. Keith

By Keith Rylatt (217.137.88.29) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 02:19 pm:

David & Graham. Re the address on `Inkster Boogie` by the Egyptians - where did Beachien come from do you think? I have a Detroit Street map from the 60's and there is no such place listed. I've also checked out the entire metropolitan area on a 60's map and there is no listing either, if you write the two words down in long hand I guess this was a mis reading by the printers. What a crap way to launch your new baby! Keith

By Kegtapper (64.24.82.163) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 02:36 pm:

Keith-
I thought House of Beauty was Herman Griffin's place? Wasn't Herman thought to be the first to record a Jobete published song. (for the knowing) there was no Jobete when BG did Jackie Wilson's tunes from my understanding.

Any more on House of Beauty

By MEL&THEN SOME (212.159.53.246) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 03:57 pm:

Well Kegtapper,
have tried 3 more Detroit Wheel Scans to your e.mail addresses,
still no go!
It will be at my end of the line.
I Shall try again in a few days or so.Sorry for the hassle.
It has happened with other addresses to but usually kicks in sooner or later.
mel.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 08:11 pm:

Keith:
I work for Tuff City/Night Train Records which have reissued many D-Town recordings by the (Fabulous) Peps & Lee Rogers on LPs and will reissue more on CD later on this year.

I do speak to Donald Hanks (Arnell's brother) and their sister communicates with me via email.

In an issue of Goldmine Magazine (dated April 26, 1985) singer Lee Rogers was interviewed for an extensive article where he said that his affiliation with the late Mike Hanks started around 1961 when Hanks joined Carmen Murphy's HOB companies initially as a "bill collector" who would travel to different distributors from Detroit to NYC when he wasn't working his day job on the assembly line at Chrysler. Rogers said that Mike Hanks was a great guy with a healthy sense of humor.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.215.178) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 10:04 pm:

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 10:10 pm:

Keith,
I guess what bothers me is that Mike would come into Tera Shirma occasionally just to pass the time with me. Was I so wrapped up in my own problems that I wasn't takin the time to really find out what this cool guy was all about? My God, it was Mike that sat in my office working the phone to confirm for us the awful news that bluesman Jimmy Frazier had died. Sometimes I have to wonder about myself.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 06:04 am:

Ralph

You were in the company of (possibly) one of the top 4 most important people in the massive story of 60's Detroit. I envy you.

Keith

You have a pic of Mike Hanks? I will look forward to seeing that in your book when it comes out.

The Beachien address must be Beaubien. The building is still there and is one of the most interesting looking buildings that I have photographed to date (IMO).

Eric

These images you are uploading are superb. I can't thank you enough.

David

By acooolcat (210.200.105.227) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 10:26 am:

Davie - another Karen label 45 with a possible link is #315...

El Baron - Haunting Eyes / You Done Me Wrong

The matrix numbers for these two sides are 0005 and 0006.

Does anyone have a copy of this 45?
Graham

By Larry (12.141.160.25) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 11:01 am:

Eric,

Indeed, I second David's emotion. It's a gift of history to supply these images. Thank you.

By LG Nilsson (213.89.30.85) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 01:28 pm:

Graham,

Regarding Mah's 1037... The "USD" info I got from Reg Bartlette. I don't have that 45 in my collection. Maybe it's only in the runout as you say.

Davie,

I have got KAREN 0016 Matrix number 101-1 A-side and 102-1 B-side (The Kick)



The label design is the same as the Karen 300 series.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 01:56 pm:

David, Keith

"Beaubien" is probably right - there was a Detroit
garage band called the Beaubiens - I always
wondered what the hell it meant :-)

Ralph,

We've only scratched the surface of Mike Hanks'
work - there's around forty singles on D-Town
and probably the same number on his other labels.

I can understand what you're saying about not
appreciating Mike's importance at the time but
everyone's like that - you pay attention at the time to what seems important in your own life.

It's the job of history to record what happened
and to try to put it into some sort of perspective. This forum is vital for establishing
who did what, where and when - later on better
writers than me can do the explaining of its
significance - I'm happy at the moment trying to fit the pieces together.

Graham,

I'll see what other matrix numbers I have for the
Karen 300's and see if a patteren emerges.

Lars,

Thanks for the Capitols scan - I can't make up my mind about the label design - it looks like a lot
or early sixties Detroit releases but is it close
to the MAh's design ? - anybody else got any thoughts on this one ?


Davie

By Larry (216.23.183.2) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 02:10 pm:

Davie,
So well put sir.

You, Lars, Graham, Mel et al.
You are all Historians and I'm glad to just hang on the site and glimpse the fruits of your labours.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 03:46 pm:

Another from Graham for the Mah's discography

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 03:52 pm:

Graham sends in Mah's1037

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.69) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 04:20 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.69) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 04:21 pm:

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.69) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 04:23 pm:

For Davie!

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 04:31 pm:

What Contours did Mike Hanks sing with, and when?

By C. Bell/Eric (67.25.213.69) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 04:33 pm:

There is a member of the forum that has or had a relative that owned Tuba Records. I believe that his uncle owned the label.

The Brax record is pretty much for reference because somebody must have liked it a bunch. Mike Hanks and The Contours on one of the George Braxton labels.

The Beaubiens record is a great garage punk record out of Detroit with fuzz guitar and such.
For Davie to prove that they existed!

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 05:49 pm:

Davie,
I guess you're right. History sure is showing us just how prolific this guy was. I can only shake my head and give thanks for Soulful Detroit and all who participate here.

By acooolcat (210.200.105.243) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 09:50 pm:

Sis,
I'm pretty sure this isn't the Motown group - The Contours.
Graham

By acooolcat (210.200.105.243) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 10:06 pm:

Davie - I've just noticed that the first Karen label release - # 313, Barbara Lewis, "My Heart Went Zing," has matrix numbers 0001 and 0002.
I don't think there was any connection between Ollie and Mike, but I could be wrong.
Graham

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 02:39 pm:

Graham,

I have the same info. on the Barbara Lewis
single - release date 3/62. ( It's actually
"My Heart Went Doo Dat Da",but you knew that anyway) I don't have matrix numbers for any of the other 300's, they don't seem to turn up very often.

Maybe there's nothing connecting Ollie and Mike, it was just me trying to find an explanation for
an anomaly in Karen's and Mah's numbers. Since
neither of them are still with us we'll probably never know.

Eric,

Thanks for the Beaubiens scan ! - that one seems
to been missed by all the garage CD compilers.
I like garage bands almost as much as soul harmony
groups :-)

Thanks also for the Brax scan - I hadn't seen that one before. I tend to agree that it's not the Motown group - I'd have to check what I have on George Braxton's labels but it looks a few years before the Motown Contours were formed.

Larry,

Thanks - there are times when I wonder if it's
worth all the time spent on researching records
that few people heard and even fewer bought but
I've been doing this for thirty odd years now and I guess I'll keep doing it - it doesn't make any sense to stop now. Discographers don't get a lot of feedback except from other discographers - I'm glad you're enjoying our collective efforts.

Ralph, it's the "Forrest Gump Syndrome" :-)

Davie

By Larry (216.23.183.2) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 05:20 pm:

Davie, I'm laughing on your last note to Ralph.
"Discographer is as Discographer does...."

Question: how rare (forget that, I know it's rare) what's the value of a Ricky Dee (aka Richard Drapkin) 45 from Detroit?

Note: noone knows Drapkin. When he worked at Capitol he wrote a song the Beatles used on their 2nd album called Devil In Her Heart.
I have a 45 that I don't know if it was even released. Worth anything???

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 05:38 pm:

Richard Drapkin co-wrote "I'm alive with the loving feeling" for Spyder Turner.

The other writer on that song a Melvin Sheldon Rott.

Is Mr Rott a relation Larry?

It's a great song.

By Larry (216.23.183.2) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 06:41 pm:

excerpt from a letter to me from my Uncle Sheldon:

"...I didn't mention it, but I recorded several sessions at Terra Sherma on Livernois at Fenkell. At one midnight session, I over dubbed all 3 three trumpet parts on a recording. I also remember Spyder Turner recording his album with one of my songs on it called "I'm alive with a lovin' feeling" which was what developed from the original song that Ricky Dee and I wrote at Motown studios called "Standing in the Shadows of Love" which was released under Holland Dozier and Holland.

By acooolcat (61.58.83.13) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 09:36 pm:

Larry
I guess you have The Donay's 45 on Brent, "Devil In His Heart," which was covered by The Beatles on their 2nd album. I don't think it's worth a fortune.
It's actually a "Correc-tone" recording and the lead singer went on to record as Yvonne Vernee.
Graham

By Larry (12.141.160.25) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 11:12 pm:

Graham,

Thanks for that info..

What I have has never been released to my knowledge.
Big Sound Records
(A Rott Bros. Production)
A-side "Now I'm A Man" (r. drapkin)
Arr. by Barney Browner
Artist: Ricky Dee
B-side "If That's What Makes Her Glad"
Arr. by Marty Coleman

By acooolcat (61.58.83.13) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 11:50 pm:

Hi Larry - is this an acetate?
Graham

By Larry (12.141.160.25) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 01:51 am:

Graham,

Nope, not an acetate.

Other text on the label:
Vicki Music Inc. BMI
ZTSC-104247

By acooolcat (61.58.83.13) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 07:49 am:

Hi Larry - it's just that you said it was never released; the ztsc matrix number shows it was pressed at Columbia's plant and Vicky Music was/is Harry Balk's publishing company. Barney Browner was also known as Duke Brownser and did some writing etc' for Harry Balk's Impact label around 1966 - 67.
I've obviously never heard of the Big Sounds record label - and this 45. The question of its value doesn't rest with its rarity though - it has to sound good to command big bucks. What's it like and what year do you think it was recorded?
Graham
PS: What's the ztsc # on the flip side?

By Larry (12.141.160.25) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 11:55 am:

Good info Graham. I wasn't sure if it was released. The flipside ztsc is sequential (up):
#104248.

"Vicki" in Vicki Music is Sheldon's wife (Vicki Carroll sp?) who was on Decca and also sang with the Sunliners (Ralph Terrana). She was 'to be' the next Patsy Cline. She was a pure singer, could sing it all. She never 'went' national though.

By Larry (12.141.160.25) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 11:59 am:

Sorry Graham.

Is this 45 good? It's been a long time since I've heard it. From memory I didn't like it. If I remember it was uptempo, in the vein of the Four Seasons, but shlockier. I'd have to pull down the ol' Victrola to accurately critique it. I wish my Uncles and others in Detroit were web friendly. There's SO much information and great strories in that town.

By Joe Moorehouse (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 01:49 pm:

Based on the ZTSC number, it looks like this Ricky Dee record is from '65. He cut some other 45s between '63 and '65, including one or two on Patlow. Teener stuff, very white, but pretty good quality of its type. I can't remember whether Duke Browner and Harry Balk had any input on his other sides or not. One of the records is in the room with me somewhere--I'll see if I can dig it out and report.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 03:36 pm:

I must've pressed the wrong key and deleted an
earlier response - so I'll just add a few bits to the Graham and Joe's info.

Here's the info. I have on Richard's other records

Carlton 580 1962 RICK MARTELL
Say That You Love Me ( R Martell)
This Feeling Of Bliss (R Martell)

Kay-Ko 1001 1963 RICK MARTELL
I'm Gettin' Ready (Rick Martell, Marty Coleman)
?

Patlow ..... 1967? RICHARD DRAPKIN
Hey, Come On And Dance
?

Rick Martell is a pseudonym Richard used on some of his songs.

As to the value of the Big Sound single - I've no idea - I don't collect vinyl any more so tend to
pay little attention to what prices records sell
for. As Graham says it all depends on what the record sounds like - but I've heard of some pretty
mediocre records selling for a lot of money.
What I can tell you is that until today I'd never
heard of the Big Sound release - I doubt there's many surviving copies considering that we're talking about a record that's nearly forty years old.

Davie

I know next to nothing about the Patlow single, or the label itself come to that. The only other
release I'm aware of is a single by the
Motor City Bonnevilles.

More info. on Richard to follow when I manage to unearth my notes.

By Larry (216.23.183.2) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 04:09 pm:

I will scan that 45 tomorrow and post.
I've asked Sheldon and Carol (Vikki) to comment or add any information on the subject. Guys (and David) I realize I'm using this thread for purposes not intended, but, you're all so knowledgeable I feel the need to take advantage of the collective expertise. You're filling in the blanks of a background I only had glimpses of as a kid. Now I can pass the knowledge to my son, which is what it's all about. Thank you all.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 10:32 am:

Larry,

Send in the scan using a new thread "Richard
Drapkin" - it'll be easier to find.

Maybe Ralph or David know how to remove the relevant posts and transfer them to the new thread.

By Dave Fleming (62.253.128.5) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 08:30 am:

Just catching up,here`s a few more "M.Hanks" 45s.

Dave f.............

By Dave Fleming (62.253.128.5) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 08:42 am:

Dave f........

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 09:42 am:

Dave - thanks for the scan of the Beth Bynum 45. I wonder if she recorded anything else?
I think there were 7 releases on Star Maker - does anyone have the details for the flip-side to The Caravelles' "Devil With An Angel Smile - # 1929?
Cheers,
Graham

By Keith Rylatt (217.137.90.17) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 05:11 am:

Dave. Is the Beth Bynum 45 Soul / R&B or more in the straight Pop vein? Keith

By Dave Fleming (62.253.128.5) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 01:11 pm:

Keith,the "Beth Bynum" 45 is a Soul/R&B dancer,it
has been played on the Uk Northern Soul scene over the year`s.
Dave f........

By Keith Rylatt (217.137.89.64) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 01:59 pm:

Dave Thank you, she can now be added to my Soul list! God, where does one draw the line (as Darrow Fletcher said)? Black, white, brown, Soul, Pop, Tamla, R&B......the bottomless pit of Detroit music! I am supposed to be into Detroit's black music but the opening fanfare to Mitch Ryder's `You Get Your Kicks` or `Break Out` just blow me away. Let's face it, Detroit was just HOT. Keith.
PS Dave, If you are in the USA, Cal Tjader, Andre Brasseur, Jackie Edwards, Julian Covay etc are all none US but in the UK we think they are are so Soulful.

By MEL&THEN SOME (212.159.53.92) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 05:57 pm:

Another one on the
Starmaker Label,
which is as far as I know the same as were talking about and dont think it has been mentioned is
The Taylor Tones
'Poor Little Girl'
Number SM-1926.
has this got a B side as I only have a scan of this side.
Thanks
mel.

By ken sands (209.244.90.119) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 06:51 pm:

In case any one is interested, I was the engineer
on "Together,we shall overcome", at Magic City Recording in early 1967 was working for Ernie Burt
and Beans Bowles as engineer at that time.

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 09:05 pm:

Of course we're interestd Ken, we're serious Detroitophiles here (smile).
I think the single was pulled after Dr King was shot, but when it was re-released it became a huge local hit. What can you tell us about those times?
Graham

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 09:06 pm:

Mel, the flip of The Taylor Tones' 45 is called "A Star."
Graham

By MEL&THENSOME (217.14.178.84) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 09:49 pm:

Cheers Graham,
hope you got my mail.
Ken Sands
Great to have you here Sir.
Are you working on anything at present?
Regards
mel.

By nikki (24.46.200.124) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 10:33 pm:

Mel.....See how much I learn here! This has been in my collection for years, and I didn't realize (off hand) it was Mike Hanks connected!! Duh!!!





Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.14) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 11:34 pm:

Great Stuff Nikki.

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 02:12 am:

Mel - I got the Zell label scan from you... never seen that one before. Is it Detroit? I didn't get the Soul Partners one though. Is it on SAMO?
I tried emailing you, but without susccess.
Thanks, Graham

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 03:33 am:

Nikki
I wonder if The Taylor Tones' 45 included Sherrie (Sherri) Taylor who recorded for Gloreco? There's a few years between the two 45s, but the singer sounds quite different to me.
Graham

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 04:50 am:

Doesn't anyone have the other Caravelles' 45 - number 1929?
Mel - those last scans didn't get through.
Cheers, Graham

By Dave Fleming (62.253.128.5) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:04 am:

Graham sorry dont have any info on the flip side to
the "Caravelles" 45,talking of the "SAMO" label i have this 45 by "Freddy Butler" on "SAMO",Freddy also had a 45 on "Starmaker" #1930.
FAO Keith,i live in the Uk.

Dave f.........

By MEL&THEN SOME (212.159.50.136) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:52 am:

Graham,
my heads done in,
I have around 10/15 obscure detroit scans for you and my computer is just shite at doing anything,
I cant send things anbd am recieving bits and bobs.
I will have to come off for a while or the computer will end up through the window.
Totally dejected
mel.

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:26 am:

Dave, I have one of Freddy's MandM label 45s, "It Was You."
The one on Star Maker sounds a lot like Chuck Jackson. Love it.
Mel, chill out - it'll get sorted sooner or later. What can you tell me about the Zell's label?
Cheers,
Graham

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.76) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:59 am:

Graham,
I have tried to send the scans one at a time,hopefully this may work.
I have just mailed you
Debra Healy&The Magic Tones
on the
Chrysler Record Label.
Regards the Zell Label I am not sure where it is from,hopefully we can work it out regards the ones that are/are not actual detroit recordings.
cheers
mel.

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 12:38 pm:

Thanks Mel,
I'm familiar with the Chrysler 45, which I think we discussed on the "Solid Hit 108" thread a while ago.
I'll let you know if/when I get the scans.
Thanks again,
Graham

By Jim Dunn (24.46.200.124) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 12:53 pm:

Here's a scan of the stock copy of Billy Kent & Andantes. (I saw the promo copy posted earlier)

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 03:09 pm:

Graham, Mel

I'm not sure what record you're discussing but
the Zell label has nothing to do with Detroit.

"Zell" is from Zell Sanders, who owned the label.
It was based at various addresses in the Bronx in
NY. She also owned the more successful J&S label,
home of Johnnie & Joe, the Hearts, the Jaynettes
and many more. The label is an absolute nightmare
to catalogue as she changed the numbering system
and / or the name every time she changed address.

By nikki (24.46.200.124) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 03:57 pm:

Graham -- According to my sources, the Taylortones were Sherrie and Clara Taylor (who also have writers credits as you can see on the label). I don't know if she's the same one who recorded for Gloreco later. I'm sure SOMEONE here would know the answer to this!!!!

P.S. Great thread! And I'm drooling over these lucious label scans!!!

Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 04:07 pm:

Graham, Nikki

Sherri (or Sherry ) Taylor in the TaylorTones
is almost certainly the same as on Gloreco.
She was also signed to Motown around 1960 -
duetting with Sammy Ward.

Davie

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 08:49 pm:

Davie,
Perhaps it's Clara singing lead on the Star Maker 45, as it sounds like a different singer to me. Thanks for the info' on the "Zell's" label - you're right.

Mel - I got the other scans okay - many thanks. I'm familiar with all of them except the one on the Holiday label, which I think was based in Ohio; the scan isn't very clear. Who wrote the songs? BTW - if you want to post them here - just send them to David.

Nikki
MAH'S #000.2 was also released locally before Roulette distributed it.

Thanks, Graham

By Marc Forrest (145.243.194.67) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:53 am:

Graham, Nickie and Dave no doubt it is always one and the same Sherri Taylor. the title of the duet with Sam Ward is "Lover", hard and punchy early Motown. Wonderful.

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:01 am:

Didn't The Taylor Tones also have a 45 on the C&T label - My Heart Went Zing?
Another one from 1962.
Graham

By LG Nilsson (213.89.30.85) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 02:19 pm:

Here�s a scan of the early Motown Ward � Taylor duet.



Lars

By nikki (24.46.200.124) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 09:11 pm:

I did a search of Mike Hank's related records in MY collection (I have no idea off hand what 45s I have in some cases - I have thousands from over the years of collecting!!!) It doesn't appear that this one has been listed or shown yet on this thread.






In harmony,

Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By Jim Dunn (24.46.200.124) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 09:30 pm:

Here's another D-Town 45 by the Griffinairs (Mah's Publishing) I ran across while going through some of my Gospel 45s.

Jim

http://www.harmonytrain.com

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 09:40 pm:

Jim
I think there were six "Devotional" D-Town releases - I've never see #205 - and so preseume it was never released, for whatever reason.
Nikki
"Pink Lips" was quite a "hit" in Detroit; a great 45. I was lucky enough to meet one of the group when I was in Detroit last September.
Thanks for the scans.
Graham

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:01 pm:

Lars - Just thought about the Mickay's scan you posted back on April 17th...
Cody Black recorded "Chains of Love" on D-Town - I guess before J.J. did.
Graham

By Jim Dunn (24.46.200.124) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:51 pm:

Graham,

I don't have 205 in the D-town series, but here's 203, the Meditations with Mah's Publishing credited on one side.

Jim

http://www.harmonytrain.com

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:18 am:

Hi Jim,
The Meditaions had another "Devotional" D-Town 45 - #201 - titled "Farther Along."
Laura Lee was in the group and I guess these "Devotional" releases date from c. 1965.
Cheers, Graham

By LG Nilsson (213.89.30.85) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:46 pm:

Graham,

on what number was Cody Black "These Chains Of Love" released on D-Town? Can't find it... Also I have got Devotional series 201, 202, 203 & 204... That's it. Don't know about 205. 206 is the Stapleton Singers "I Will Trust In The Lord" b/w "Tell Him What You Want".

Lars

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:45 pm:

Lars,

Shouldn't that be the Staple(s) Singers ?

Davie

By LG Nilsson (213.89.30.85) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 02:01 pm:

Davie,

I don't really know. 204 is recorded by The Staple Singers. I can see that on my own single. But I do not have the 206 release. I have that "Stapleton" info from an old soul mag from the 70's!

Lars

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:36 pm:

Lars,
Cody Black's version is;
D-Town #1032
These Chains of Love / Move On

It's Cody's first release on the label and I guess it was released in 1964.

I have the same "Devotional" releases listed as you, with no number 205.

Graham

By Dave Fleming (62.253.128.5) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 06:57 pm:

Here`s another one by the "Meditations" # 201.

Dave f........

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 01:49 am:

Mike was also involved in a label called Guy Jim - does anyone have a scan of it?
The song is titled "Somebody Special" and is by C Alexander and The Natural 3.
Graham

By Marc Forrest (145.243.194.67) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 10:32 am:

Hi Graham,

I have this one on a different label called Leo (NOT the Jay Rhythm label) records.

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 11:00 am:

Hi Marc
Do you have a scanner? And is this Leo label another Detroit one... for some reason I think Guy Jim has a Chicago connection.
Any info' would be greatly appreciated; I've only got the song on tape.
Graham

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 02:59 pm:

Graham,

Can't find the details on that C Alexander record
but something in the back of my mind tells me it's
connected to Billy Guy, the recently deceased
Coaster. I'll let you know if I find the details.

By Marc Forrest (145.243.194.67) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 11:37 am:

HI Graham, no sorry I don`t have a scanner...otherwise I would have posted here many scans already. sadly not.

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 06:20 pm:

Marc,
What is the flip side called, and what writer - producer credits are there on the label? Does the label or run-out groove give any indication of which city it's from?
Thanks, Graham

By Marc Forrest (145.243.194.67) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 07:42 am:

Hi Graham, I checked last night at home. It is an autographed copy on a light yellow label with black and red writing. It is written by Mike Hanks and published by Leo Pub. the address is out of NYC. Hope that helps ?

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 08:52 am:

Thanks Marc. What is the flip side?
Graham

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 06:51 pm:

C.Bell/Eric: Regarding the Brax label scan above, do you have any information on when George Braxton died and what ever happened to the Fox/Brax/Dial/Teen Life master tapes?

Anyone?

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 08:57 pm:

I know Marilyn Bond was hunting for tapes - she used to work for George.
Graham

By Marc Forrest (145.243.194.67) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 10:12 am:

Hi Graham, "Pay Them No Mind" is the flipside.

By acooolcat (61.58.181.126) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 10:47 am:

I think this "C Alexander" record was also released on a label called Antone.
Does anyone have this copy?
Graham