By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 10:17 am:

Why after so many years of hits and success with the Stylistics, would Russell Tompkins now venture out on a solo career. Saw them recently in Westbury, the new lead singer is very good, but I couldn't believe that Russell would ever part from Arrian and Herb. Also who is that new lead singer with the Miracles, he looks so much like Smokey Robinson it's scary, he sounds just like Smokey, is he a relative?. Where did Claudette find him.

By Handsome (170.118.157.133) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 06:14 pm:

I believe the lead singer of the Miracles is Finis Henderson. He recorded a song on Motown, called "Skip to my Lou" (back in the late 80's). I have the 45.

By Sly fan (67.115.73.2) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 06:29 pm:

Skip To My Lou!! Wow thats him!!! I kinda knew it wasnt Billy G, but Finis really sounds like Smokey!! "Skip to my" was the jam!!

By Sly fan (67.115.73.2) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 06:30 pm:

"Skip" was recorded in 82...

By WaltBaby (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 06:59 pm:

An even better question is why after all those lushly orchestrated Stylistics albums would Russell come with such a low budget product??? He still sounds the same but the cd sounds like some weak demos.

By Eli (151.197.6.39) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 07:25 pm:

I would assume that he may have been limited financially to pull off such a great recording in the manner of which he was accustomed to working with Thom Bell.
Russell is an original and a great guy to boot.

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 11:13 pm:

Dell...Russell's leaving may not have been voluntary. (And I don't personally know the facts...)

By medusa9e (66.73.0.192) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 11:55 pm:

Bobby,
Did U play on any of those Stylistics songs??
Should I have asked that question???
If I shouldn't hae asked that question,then please ignore the question. Everyone here seem 2 B celebrities and I really don't know who is who..but Bobby, I do know U play Guitar.

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 02:40 am:

Bobby,
looking thru a few old 45's recently, I noticed that you produced Atlantic Starr (for A&M) plus Jackie Moore (for Columbia). Any memories of these sessions.
ALSO........ a Philly Groove 45 (74/5) from First Choice was titled "This Boy Called Norman" (or something very similar) and was written by a guy called Chuck Brooks. The only Chuck Brooks I know of was the guy who cut "..Playhouse Down" for Stax / Volt (produced by Wee Three). Was he Philly based as it would otherwise seem strange that Stan Watson would use one of his songs. strange

By Eli (151.197.225.98) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 08:57 am:

Medusa,
I played on EVERY Philly hit during that era.

JS,
Atlantic Starr were special to me as I helped them secure their deal with A&M and I watched them grow musically and otherwise.
Their sessions, especially their first album which was recorded in L.A. was a beautiful experience for the group and myself.
We were surrounded by our musical peers such as Earth Wind and Fire, Parliament LTD and others who happened to be recording in the same studio complex at the time and the cammeraderie was second to none.

Jackie Moore has been a friend of mine since 1970 and when she was signed to CBS she requested that I be her producer.
She has one of the best Southern soul voices out there and is a joy to work with.
Interestingly, I was working on Jackie;s first album and Atlantic Starrs second album at Sigma at the same time and they were the studio band who played on her album!!
This Time Baby , taken from those sessions became a huge hit here.

By RD (63.188.33.86) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 09:01 am:

Isn't ex Atlantic Starr member, Sharon Bryant doing some recording in Philadelphia with Cynthia Biggs' company?

By Eli (151.197.225.98) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 09:10 am:

Sharon and Cynthia have been pals for years,
Sharon has on of the greatest voices ever and to me she had the definitive A.S. female voice.
She had just turned 18 when I had them signed.

By RD (63.188.33.86) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 09:16 am:

After Sharon left Atlantic Starr I lost interest in them, even though they had bigger hits with the female lead that replaced her. "Am I Dreamin'" and "Send For Me" were huge in the hood.

By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 10:45 am:

I think Sharon Bryant was the best female lead to compliment the male lead with Atlantic Starr, I too lost interest when she left the group. I remember seeing them live first with Manhattans at Madison Square Garden sometime in or around 1980 then a couple of years later at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center with The O'Jays.
They were really sweet then.

By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 10:47 am:

Bobby;
Are you at home or over at Vonnie's? I left a phone message for you, I need to ask you a question. Who's house should I call today?
Jeanie

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 11:01 am:

As far as I know the lead singer with the Miracles
today is named Sydney. I met him at a party
celebrating the opening of the Motown Cafe at
Universal City Walk in Orlando. The other member
was named David and both Bobby & Claudette were
here. They did perform and Claudette joined
them only on "OOO Baby, Baby". Sydney DOES
sound and kind of look like Smokey. I think
they have added at least one more member since
then as Claudette rarely performs with them.

By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 11:26 am:

His name is Sydney Justin, he use to be a pro football player, I heard, always loved Smokey & Miracles, and loved to sing with a passion.
Saw them live at the Rock Hall, Sydney was great,
fantastic show but Smokey's still numero uno!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 01:16 pm:

Bobby:
Once again you surprise me...you mean to tell me you produced Atlantic Starr & got them the deal with A&M...Did you produce "Circles" and "Send For Me"? Those are my favorite A.S. tunes.
Kevin Goins - KevGo