By Joe Moorehouse (152.163.252.68) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 01:40 pm:

Since my mention of this on another thread generated quite a bit of interest, I thought I'd start a fresh thread about it here. The song was written by Berry Gordy and Billy Davis to support the 1958 campaign of George Edwards (husband of Berry's sister Esther) for State Representative. It was pressed as both a 45 and a 78, albeit in very limited quantities. It's very uptempo rockish-R&B and features a terrific male group doing backing vocals and a sax break. The whole thing is raw and elemental, like a lot of very early Motown records. Sample lyrics:

"George was elected in '54
And did a might fine job so we wanted more
He got re-elected in '56
To help us out of an awful fix"

"George Edwards is a church-going man
He's the kind that'd understand"

"Remember George when you reach the poll
George cannot be bought or sold."

I don't know what the "awful fix" of '56 was, but whatever he did to help must not have made a big impression on the voters--he lost the election in '58 in spite of Jackie Wilson's help.

In any case, it's a fascinating record
and is probably among the dozen or so rarest Motown-related pieces.

By R&B (138.238.41.30) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 02:06 pm:

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHY THIS FORUM IS CLASSIC,HEY JOE,FANTASTIC!

By Julian (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 12:32 am:

Amazing

By RD (63.188.32.60) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 07:05 am:

This scan proves that a book doesn't tell the whole story as Berry never mentioned this promo single for his brother-in-law's election, and I'm sure countless other accounts that many would find fascinating, in his autobiography. I wonder if the backing vocalists were the Five Stars, who are said to be the first group that Berry Gordy recorded.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 11:21 am:

RD:
Berry did mention in his autobiography that Jackie recorded "By George" for his bro-in-law's campaign.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By RD (63.188.33.89) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 10:51 pm:

You're right Kevin. I scanned over that section quick because It didn't interest me. I'll reread it one day; I still have my hardcover copy.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 11:17 am:

RD:
Trust me when I say this - reading BG's autobiography will the quickest read you will ever encounter (took me only three days).
Kevin Gonis - KevGo

By stephanie (64.63.221.206) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 03:54 pm:

KevGo
You are so right. I wasnt looking for dirt in Berrys book (not that he would tell) but I thought for sure he would talk more about the Funks and all kinds of stuff..Im glad he memtioned Mike Mclean Tech and Deke Richards though at least he thought something of our forum members..
Stephanie
BORING BOOK ... It was better than Secretsof aSparrow by Diana though....

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 06:11 pm:

Stephanie:
BG's story about James Jamerson's bass-work on "Do You Love Me" was priceless. It showed that no matter who ran the company, NOBODY was gonna tell Jamerson how to play his instrument.

Other than that and a few other stories, like I said it was a quick read.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 06:40 pm:

What a fantastic image Joe.

Thanks a million for sharing!