By Jay (167.167.44.218) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 08:50 pm:

Does it strike anyone as being odd the fact that none of the members of the main Motown acts showed up?

One would have thought that SOMEONE would have shown their appreciation by just showing up!

Just bizarre and sad at the same time.

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 08:59 pm:

TRUE ENOUGH JAY...TRUE ENOUGH!!!...BUT LOOK WHO'S GETTING THE LAST LAUGH!!!...STU

By Eli (68.162.98.222) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 09:07 pm:

There was an associated press interview on my Verizon
you should get it at http://netmail.verizon.net and look under entertainment.homepage today regarding that issue from Jack Ashford.

By 65memories (66.72.182.105) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 09:18 pm:

Eli...
for people who have a hard time getting the page, I am copying Jack Ashford's remarks here:

Funk Brothers Not Hearing From Stars
By The Associated Press


Jack Ashford of the Funk Brothers, the Motown band that was the subject of a recent documentary, says band members haven't heard from any of Motown's big stars in years.

"(And) don't expect to hear from any of them," the percussionist told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "We never think about those people. Their names never come up."

The Funk Brothers were the house band who played on most of Motown's biggest hits, and are credited with helping create the Motown sound.

They toiled in obscurity behind stars such as Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder. The group disbanded when the label moved from Detroit to Los Angeles three decades ago, without any notice from Motown.

But the Funk Brothers are enjoying newfound fame with the documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," which was released in November. The DVD of the documentary was released earlier this week.

Music from the film netted the group two Grammys in February.

Ashford said despite their recent success, none of Motown's former stars have tried to reach out to them, even Wonder, of whom Ashford says: "We only taught him half the stuff we knew."

However, Ashford says the group holds no grudges against the Motown greats.

"There's a lot of closure here," he said. "Whatever bitterness may have existed 30 years ago on the way we have been treated, that's gone."

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 09:23 pm:

THERE'S AN OLD "COUNTRY" SAYING..."DON'T GET ABOVE YOUR 'RAISIN'...APPARENTLY MANY OF MOTOWNS STARS AND FORMER STARS HAVE!!!...STU

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 09:32 pm:

God Bless Mr. Ashford, he has the right attitude.
All he Funk Brothers have the right attitude, it shows in the film and on stage.....
they are wonderful people.They are a fine example.

By 1wicked (24.126.64.120) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 10:33 pm:

I would think that some of those artists should have WANTED TO, considering all The Funk Brothers did to create their "signature" sound...but no big deal...this time it's *ALL* about The Funks. Their appearance here in L.A. proves (to me) that their tour did not need to be star driven (as in Stevie, etc.) performances. In fact....the Funks may have (again) helped a few folk reach some degree of stardom (or at least a new plateau), brought public acclaim to others who have been out of the spotlight, and definitely given at least one person a whole new audience !!
Yeah...I guess having Motown greats on the mic mighta been nice......but then again...nahhhh...I wouldn't change a thing.


(Heavens to Murgatroyd....The Funk Brothers f/ Stevie or Diana or Smokey ? What about those fragile ego's ?? Exit..stage left >>>>>>>>)

By Eli (68.162.98.222) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 11:18 pm:

Yeah. So what else is new??
I have witnessed it time and time again.
They seem to forget those who have helped them get to where they are, but what goes around comes around and at the end of the day the Funks are the heros, big time!!

By Jay (167.167.44.218) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 11:28 pm:

65,Stu,Eli,Vickie,1,Jack,
You guys rock!

I think just having some of the greats in the seats would have been fine. The egos on stage would have been a bit too much!

But all of them being no-shows?
A conspiracy theorist might suppose that BG, the master puppeteer is STILL pulling the strings!
Maybe there is more to the story?

I for one would LOVE to see (buy) a Joan Osborne record with NEW songs done with the trademark Motown-style sound featuring of-course THE Funk Brothers : - )

By Another Saturday Night-n I aint got Nobody (12.141.160.25) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 11:36 pm:

Mary Wells sang with the Funks last September at The Knitting Factory LA. Berry Gordy endorsed the book and the film. What this has to do with the SARS in China I don't know.

By RD (63.188.32.164) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 12:09 am:

Did you take pictures of Mary Wells singing with the Funks last September, Another Saturday Night...? If so, post a couple. I've heard of dead man walking but not dead woman singing. Mary Wells wasn't with us last September. She's dead.

By Another Saturday Night-n I aint got Nobody (12.141.160.25) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 02:53 am:

RD and Anyone else whom I might have frightened,

Mary Wells (G-d rest her soul) LIVE in Los Angeles???? Wishful thinking I 'spose.
It was in fact Mary Wilson who sang with "the Funk brothers" at The Knitting Factory last September: SITSOM Release Party

By John Lester (81.132.37.120) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 03:35 pm:

Can I just say it is not true that ALL the original Motown artists have ignored the Funk Brothers concerts.

Cal Street wasn't able to attend the Detroit show and so she made special arrangements with the other Velvelettes to attend the date in Chicago - sadly the concert was cancelled.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 03:47 pm:

With recent events with the world and closer to home with the great Mr Edwin Starr, I would love to see The Funks and any Motown artist share the stage as superstars - together. Contractually, it must be difficult, but I am sure the world is a better place for this music and again, I would be there to support them in any way, buying tickets, merchandise and waving that all important Detroit flag.

By John Lester (81.132.37.120) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 04:29 pm:

Carl

That was EXACTLY what Cal intended to do in Chicago.

By sdl (63.72.98.2) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 01:33 pm:

I was wondering why Martha Reeves didn't tour with the Funk Bros? There is even a sound bite on SITSOM DVD of her saying that she wanted to have the Funks back her up on stage while they were still around -- since she didn't have that chance back in the 60s like some of the other Motown artists did.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 01:48 pm:

SDL:
There are prior posts regarding Martha Reeves & the Funks.
As far as the Motowners "ignoring" the Funks, for the exception of Cal Street's intentions, it's probably best to follow Jack Ashford's feeling regarding this topic. The artists went and "got theirs" and now it's the Funks' (long-overdue) turn to receive their props.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Eli (151.197.112.114) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 03:41 pm:

Unfortunately, I dont think that there was much interaction between the Funks and the acts except on tours when available.
In Philly, it was quite different as there was much cammeraderie between the musicians and the acts when in town and when hanging out especialy at Lorettas.
Teddy was always there holding court as were members of the Intruders, the Ojays when they were in town recording,you name it.
We would go there or to the Second Office or several other Philly spots, to hang and shoot the breeze and have some god old fashioned soul food especially at Lorettas(God rest her soul) and man she could burn some pots..mmm..mmm..mmm...!!!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 03:44 pm:

Hey Bobby!
We can tell that Loretta's cooking was good - we heard it in the music!
Hey - did you get my CD yet? Call me at the office!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 08:56 am:

The Funks' show has to be about the Funks. Even if Stevie was just in the audience, it would be such a distraction, and people would try to coax him into performing. It could turn into The Stevie Wonder Show. As much as we love him, we want the Funks this time.

If a Diana Ross was in the audience, people would try to coax her into performing. And it would turn into The Diana Ross Show. These artists would be a great bonus for one show, but the audience attending the next shows will not always get such a bonus. Plus ticket prices will have to go way up if a big name Motown singer were booked into the show.

Could the more popular Motown acts be staying away from the Funks' venues out of respect? After all, it is the Funk Brothers' turn for the spotlight.

This could be why non-Motown singers were chosen to perform with the guys on this tour.

By TonyRussi (68.18.33.86) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:30 am:

Hey Uptight, You do have a valid point.

By Marv (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:39 am:

Mary Wilson has performed live with the Funk Bros at both East and West Coast premiers. She was also at the bedside of Cholly Atkins just over a week ago (along with Gladys Knight) when he passed. P.S. That was a very embarassing comment that someone made regarding Mary Wells performing with them recently as she passed away over 10 years ago.

By Scratcher (65.132.76.236) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:42 am:

Didn't Slutsky say more than once that he tried to get Motown artists like Stevie Wonder, Smokey and others to be a part of SITSOM and they all ignored him? So, not having them around was not by designed just the way it turned out.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:49 am:

Uptight,
I'm not certain of the " respect " factor regarding no Motown heavies in the audience in L.A. It seems to me that if some had shown up for the show it would have helped to validate the importance of these legendary musicians. It seems that I remember some attending funerals of some of the Brothers.

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:06 am:

Good point, Ralph. Attending to show their appreciation would help validate to the audience the guys' importance. If I were a Motown heavy, showing my support could come in the form of relaxing and enjoying the show. That would be the respectable thing to do.

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:30 am:

Come to think of it, many of the Motown stars would attend each other's shows if they were in the same town at the same time. You can hear in some live recordings where the act would introduce the other artist(s) who happen to be in the audience. Why not attend the Funks' shows?

By TonyRussi (68.18.33.86) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 11:51 am:

Ralph, you are correct in the fact that Smokey or Stevie ect. could have made an appearance BACKSTAGE even to show their support IF they didn't want to cause a ruckous in the audience.However, the stunningly beautiful Payne sisters & others were out front, weren't they with no problems.I would think most of the crowd would be in our age group and not the typical autograph seeking, screaming groupies.