By francis T (195.92.67.76) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 02:56 pm:

I realise they are not Detroit artists but thought some may be intersted in the recent UK appearance of Maxine Brown and long lost Northern Soul hero Dean Parrish.Both appeared before 1000 plus northern soul fans at the Cleethorpes on UK east coast.
Maxine Brown performed her classics Let me give you my lovin/Oh no not my baby/Its Torture/One in a million/etc.It was a triumphant return to the venue for Maxine who simply was magic!
Dean Parrish a blue eyed legend in northern soul cicles could have disappointed not having performed his expected set ,probably for years.Disappointment-not a chance!!Opening with pop soul smash Tell Her he was fantastic.Determination followed and the anthem from Wigan Casino I,m on my Way +a new northern soul tribute tune which sounded good live.
Two brilliant performances topped by a duet of I,m on my way with Dean/Maxine left the audience knowing they had experienced one special show.

WOW!!!

FRANCIS T

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 03:45 pm:

Francis:
Dean didn't perform "Bricks, Broken Bottles & Sticks" that was featured on the Kent LP "It's Torture" ?

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 04:43 pm:

Kev-Go;
Do you have a photo of Dean Parrish or know his history?? I think I might know him from back in the day in relation to Sammy Ambrose, but not for sure. I don't know anything about him as a recording artist in his own right...but would like to talk with him in reguard to Sammy. Would appreciate any help on this.
Thanks, S.S.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 05:00 pm:

Soul Sister:
The best person to contact would be Don K. Reed of WCBS-FM radio. He interviewed Dean Parrish several months ago & would probably be able to put you in touch with him. My knowledge of the man is very limited - I only know him of "Bricks, Broken Bottles & Sticks" and "I'm On My Way".
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 05:10 pm:

Kev-Go; Okay, thanks for the tip. S.S.

By motown_david (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 01:22 pm:

I'd just like to add that I too was at the Maxine Brown / Dean Parrish concert and agree that it was absolutely terrific.
I've been a Maxine fan for many years but this was the first occasion that I'd seen her perform live. My favourite track of the night was her Commonwealth United song "We'll Cry Together", which was deep soul personified.
And what a gracious lady. I've been emailing Maxine for quite a while now and when I told her that I couldn't get a ticket for the show, she emailed Ady Croasdell and made me her guest for the night. Not trying to brag but put over the fact that she is one terrific lady.
It's easy to say but she should have been a much bigger star than she was.
Best wishes,
David.

By TonyRussi (68.210.2.213) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 01:26 pm:

Well David thats great,and Maxine Brown is a real Soul Star...."We'll Cry Together" is my favorite record by her.

By MEL&THEN SOME (81.174.192.116) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 01:29 pm:

Great story David,
I Always knew Maxine was class with a capitol "C"
and
"One in a Million"
mel.

By Francis T (195.92.168.176) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 03:20 pm:

Yes.Dean did perform Sticks,broken bottles etc.How did I forget that one???The result of three very late nights I expect.

Francis T

Incidentally he performed that one briliantly as well.

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 02:08 am:

Maxine sang "We'll Cry Together" live and it was just fabulous.
I attended the artists soundcheck and got to talk with Dean & Maxine at length.
Dean grew up in Brooklyn and always wanted to sing RnB. He hung out with all the Harlem crowd (Tommy Hunt turned up at Cleethorpes to renew his old friendship with Maxine -- they hadn't met in 35 yrs he said. On seeing Dean for the 1st time on the nite, he realised that he also knew Dean from wayback in the NY days).
Dean was a big friend of Sammy Ambrose, so you probably did know him. I got some great pictures of both artists & would post one of Dean if I was competent enough.
Dean told me he lived upstairs from 'the guys' (he's of Italian extraction so you should be able to understand his meaning) so he never had too many problems concerning getting ripped off. He obtained a good contract from Polydor around 1970 for his group Steeplechase (4 guys, Dean + 2 Soul Survivors & AN Other) and they cut a bundle of tracks. Dean isn't proud of them today though as he said the record company guys had em make the tracks too rocky for his taste.
Today he lives on Staten Island and still sings for a living. Nice guy.

By David Meikle (81.130.211.124) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 03:36 am:

Hi John

Shrink them to 40k approx and send them to me.

That applies to everyone BTW who has difficulty with the upload facility.

david@soulfuldetroit.com

By Davie Gordon (212.159.94.2) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 05:18 am:

Soulsister,

I think Dean Parrish is his stage name, it looks as if his real name might be Phil Anastasia.

Davie

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 05:51 am:

David,
Will do, later today. Will send a jpeg of both Dean & one of Maxine.
Dean's stage name is Parrish, as stated his real name is of Italian extraction (which is why it took so long to track him down).

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.94) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 06:47 am:

Dean Parrish
"DETERMINATION"
SAY NO MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Magic
regards
mel.(Tell her I'm on my way)

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 09:55 am:

Davie;
Thanks for the info. but actually the name Dean sounds more familiar to me if it is who I think he is.
JSmith;
Looking foward to your info.
Thanks to all for your knowledge & help in this matter.
S.S,

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 12:43 pm:

Thanks to John Smith for providing me with my first sighting of Dean Parrish. How we used to dance away the night to the likes of "Determination"

also this great image of Maxine Brown. A true Soul Legend.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.91) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 01:03 pm:

Great great stuff
Many thanks David and John Smith.
Hey David,
Determination
says it all or what.
and Maxine
oh no not my baby,
one in a million,etc etc
never mind the classic other version to the equally great Tina Britt of "baby take me"
with Chuck.

MEL.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 01:04 pm:

Thanks John for posting those great photos. I still can't tell though, did you get any face-foward shots of Dean? With with some 37 years gone & age changes I'm just not sure from the profile but sure would love to talk to Dean about Sammy. S.S.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 01:09 pm:

John or anyone; Do you know if Dean played behind Sammy in the Smith Brothers? S.S.

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 05:34 pm:

We are indebted to Dave Leddham of England for this astonishing photograph.

From L-R Ady Croasdale of Kent Records, Dean Parrish, Maxine Brown and Tommy Hunt

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 05:35 pm:

Thanks Dave

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 05:37 pm:

I'll get this right yet, Mr Dave Leedham.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 05:48 pm:

David M. and David L.;
Thanks for the great shot. Tho'I'm still not sure if I know Dean, but would like to talk with him either way if by chance he reads this re: our Sammy Ambrose connection. Tommy, if your listening do you know how to contact him by e-mail, would like to hear from you too re: back in the day. Thanks to ALL!!!
All The Best, Soul Sister

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 06:29 pm:

Soul Sister

Dave Leedham has offered to provide you with Dean's and Tommy's e-mail addresses. Contact me at david@soulfuldetroit.com

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 07:38 pm:

David M:
Just back from dinner and saw your message, thank you and to the kind Mr. Leedham, your news is so generous and very much appreciated. I will e-mail you now.
Yours Truly, S.S.

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 02:41 am:

Anyone here know the cuts released on Dean's early 70's group (signed to Poydor). I'm told that their (Steeplechase) "Never Comin Back" should appeal to NS soul fans but I don't know the cut myself.

By Davie Gordon (212.159.94.2) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 05:50 am:

John, here's the details on that Steeplechase album (thanks to Allmusicguide)

Steeplechase
"Lady Bright" Polydor 24-4027 (1970)

1. Wrought Ironman (Kramer/Parish/Radicello/Spinella) - 3:20
2. Shorty Stokes (Parish/Radicello) - 3:47
3. Down on the Town (Parish/Radicello) - 3:27
4. Talking Bout You (Parish/Radicello) - 3:07
5. Lady Bright (Parish/Radicello/Spinelle) - 4:20
6. In the Valley (Parish/Radicello/Spinella) - 2:22
7. Mary Clarke (Radicello/Spinella) - 4:20
8. Never Coming Back (Parish/Radicello) - 3:25
9. Cherry Blossom (Kramer/Parish/Radicello) - 2:55




Bobby - Organ, Piano, Harpsichord, Piano (Electric), Vocals (bckgr)
Dean - Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Paul Fleisher - Horn
Joey - Percussion, Drums, Vocals (bckgr)
Kim King - Guitar
Eddie Kramer - Piano, Vocals (bckgr), Producer, Engineer
Tony - Organ, Bass, Vocals, Vocals (bckgr), Guitar (12 String)

1970 LP Polydor 24-4027

Some additional info -

"Joey" is ex-Soul Survivor Joey Forgione
Kim King is, I think, the same guy who was in
Lothar and the Hand People

Haven't yet traced the full names for "Bobby" or
"Tony" but Dean might remember if you show him this post.

Davie Gordon

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:34 am:

Davie,
Dean told me 2 of the guys in the group were ex-Soul Survivors (both musicians not the groups singers) so if someone knows the names of the original SS and cross references, I guess we can put a surname to that missing one.

By Davie Gordon (212.159.94.2) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 09:27 am:

John, the original Soul Survivors were Charles
Ingui, Richard Ingui, Kenny Jeremiah - the singers
with Paul Venturini (kbds) Chuck Trois (gtr)and
Joey Forgione (dms).

I'm a big Soul Survivors fan and had all their records and a lot of spin-offs that individual members played out - I can't think of anybody
named "Tony" or "Bobby" that was connected with the group - although considering how Italian-American they were there SHOULD have been a "Tony"
in the group at some time.

Dave Rimmer's Dean Parrish discography has a note
to the effect that Bobby (Spinella) of Steeplechase was previously in the Critters - if that's true it must have been very early on as I've never heard his name connected to the Critters.

Davie

By stephanie (64.63.221.51) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 10:36 am:

Maxine looks great for her age
Stephanie

By Tony Alexander (205.188.209.109) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:09 pm:

Hi,my name is Tony Radicello.I'm one of the missing musicians from the Soul Survivors band.I'm the original bass player.When the Soul Survivors first came together Paul Venturini, the organ player played bass pedals.when the group was taken over by Breakout management,I was hired through mutual friend Carmine Appice of the Vanilla Fudge band,also managed by Breakout.Later on Joe Forgione the Soul Survivors drummer and myself,who were good friends of Dean Parish,got together to form Steeplechase,along with Bobby Spinella,who was a later member of the Critters,and also a long time friend of both myself and Dean.Today,I go by the name of Tony Alexander. I live in south florida,and I own a recording studio,and i still perform in local night spots,with my band called The Bowery Boys.Dean and joe,and myself,are still good friends,and we keep in touch.I can be reached by at talexa8574@aol.com

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:15 pm:

Welcome to the forum Tony.

It IS a small world.

David

By Davie Gordon (212.159.94.2) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 05:27 am:

Hi Tony, thanks for your post. I managed to find
your name through a lot of "search engining"
last night - turn on the computer this morning and there you are ! Amazing !

Did the band actually get to play on the Atco album ? I remember reading an interview with
Kenny Jeremiah in which he said that the producers
( I think he meant Rick Hall) had insisted that session men be used on the actual recordings.
I know that's Duane Allman on lead guitar on
"Darkness" ( Rick Hall says it's not but I don't
believe that - NOBODY else sounded Duane back then).

It's great to hear that you and Joey are still playing - everybody who was in the Soul Survivors
(apart from maybe Chuck Trois) still seem to be
involved in music in one way or other. Must be
something in the name :-)

Davie

By Tony Alexander (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 03:25 am:

Hi,Dave.Its funny you should ask,about the Atco album.These are the facts as I know them the band played and also arranged every track,on the album.But, at the time there were some internal power struggles going on ,and the decision was made to redo all of the tracks'using session men. Now of course when we heard of this decision,we were totaly pissed.but then we thought that ,hey maybe their right,maybe these session guy's could make the album better,and really improve on our arrangements and the way we felt the tracks,and then we could copy what they did live,its not like this was never done before in this business.But lo and behold,when we heard the new tracks,they were exact copies,note for note,of our tracks and arrangements.Now to this day,nobody will admit our tracks were just as good, they wouldn't give us the satisfaction.But ,the fact that they used our arrangements,note for note,said it all to us.Who knows ,we still think they used our tracks, they were so identical.Well,those are the facts, so I guess the controversy goes on Tony Alexander

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 01:39 pm:

Hi Tony, thanks for getting back to me.

"internal power struggles" - do you mean in the band itself ? I've heard that Richard Ingui wasn't the easiest guy to work with - is that why none of the musicians seemed to have stayed in the band for any great length of time ?

You might be amused to know that I'm typing this in an internet cafe in Glasgow in Scotland and
guess what's playing over their sound system ?
"Mama Soul" by none other than the Soul Survivors
(it's on a compilation CD recently released over here).

Small world isn't it, you're in Florida talking to me in Glasgow while the Soul Survivors are
playing a big concert in Philly with our esteemed Philly Forumer Bobby Eli at the event.

I love the internet ! Davie

By Joe Forgione (167.206.155.226) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 04:43 pm:

What's Up! I'm Joe Forgione the original Drummer of the Soul Survivors. I recorded "Expressway To Your Heart",the first album & some of the songs on the second album, and all the singles. I was pissed too and sometimes I still get pissed. The original version of Mama Soul was outrageous, far better then the one that was released. I was the only musician that was to go to mussel scholes, but I didn't go, that was not a righteous thing to do to the rest of the band. But thats in the past & life's too short. I'm now working with my old friend & vocalist from my second band Steeplechase, The best dame Soul Singer on the planet Dean Parrish, with our new band "Dean Parrish & The Northern Soul Survivors". How ironic! Pease, Out & remember what ever you do "Do It With Soul" Your brother in music. Joe Forgione.

By Tony Alexander (64.12.97.7) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 03:22 am:

Hey,Davie,and you too joe,Tony here.I'm sure Joe will agree with me,when I say that the details of the internal power struggle,are best left unsaid.As joe said,thats in the past,and life's too short. Davie,how about some more information about this compilation c.d. this the first I've heard of it,and I don't think joe knows about it, either, or at least he didn't mention it when we talked on the phone last week.I also spoke to Charlie Ingui not too long ago,and he didn't mention it either. later, Tony Alexander

By Davie Gordon (212.159.94.2) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 06:13 am:

Hi Tony and welcome to the forum, Joe.

I'll respect your wish not to rake over ancient history.

That compilation I was talking about originates from the UK - I don't think there's a US equivalent. It's Volume 3 of a 4 -cd series called
"Right On" from the UK arm of WEA - available as either 4 individual CD's or as a 4cd box.

Here's a link which will give you the full track
listing for Volume 3 which is the one with "Mama
Soul"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005B9MO/qid=1056102500/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2_2/202-2496409-8651044

Am I right in understanding that somewhere in the
vaults of Atlantic there's an entire earlier
version of the "Take A Look" album with the real
Soul Survivors not Richard, Charlie, Kenny and session men ?

The Atco album seems to made up of tracks from at least two sessions - one batch from Philly produced by Gamble & Huff and then another lot
produced by Rick Hall at FAME in Muscle Shoals.

There's also a later non-album single on Atco
that I haven't heard yet, "Temptation's 'Bout To
Get Me" / "Still Got My Head". Were either of you
on this session and is "Temptation .." the old
Knight Brothers song ?

If either of you would be interested in helping me
do a history of the Soul Survivors would you e-mail me direct at Davidlgordon3@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks, guys, it's great being able to talk to two
members of one of the best of all the blue-yed soul bands and whose history is far more complex than most people think. I'm feeling very "Privileged" :-)

Davie

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 02:16 am:

Joe, Tony,
It's great that you posted on the site.
A friend has now forwarded me a tape containing your really nice cut "Never Comin Back". This features great harmonys behind Dean's gritty lead and also great piano work. In fact it is a great soul style 2 step dancer of the type currently popular on the UK Northern Soul scene.
It is a pity the cut isn't more widely known or that most copies of the track owned by UK collectors come on the Spanish 45 release with the picture cover of the group. This makes the group look like a progressive rock outfit and is a major reason why the 45's have been left in the racks by soul fans. You just don't look like you would record a solid soul cut of such quality.
Joe,
good to hear you have linked up again with Dean. I had a great time chatting with him at the Cleethorpes W/Ender sound check. He really is a genuinely nice guy, modest and still grounded even after all these years in the business.
I got some great pictures of Dean at the event (on SLR and digital) + I videod the live acts on the night. After the duo (Dean & Maxine) finished their duet, Dean was so overwhelmed by the reaction, he picked up his camera and just spent a couple of minutes taking photos of the audience. It was great to see his joy at the reception he received.

By Francis T (195.92.194.16) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 04:56 pm:

Isn,t this site fantastic .I only started this discussion to say how much I enjoyed Maxine and Dean.Now we have the Soul Survivors with us
...
Fantastic.

By Eli (151.197.34.9) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 05:53 pm:

Hi Joe F!
How ironic.
I ran into Charlie and Richie on Wednesday at the Kimmel center where they performed Expressway... and Explosion .. and they were great.
I was there conducting for the Stylistics.

By Joe Forgione (167.206.155.226) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 11:29 am:

What's up Eli. Richie & Charlie always sang their ass off, and I love the way they write too. No one can ever take that from them. I knew all the groups from that whole Gamble & Huff world, Back in the day. I'd love to here from Kenny & Leon, but I hear there tough to get to, It would great if they wrote a song for "Dean Parrish & The Nothern Soul Survivors". Who knows maybe someday we'll hook up. Thats it for now. Peace! Joe.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.101) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 11:38 am:

great stuff
nice to have the Soul Survivors on site.
have been a big fan for years.
Davie
great work mate.
mel.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 03:54 pm:

John Smith writes
"As we have 2 old members of Steeplechase (& the Soul Survivors)checking out the site, thought I would forward a picture of Maxine and
Dean fraternising at the weekender sound check."

By Vince Frangipane (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 10:53 pm:

Dean Parrish is one of the great soul singers of all time. What most people don't know is that he can also sing Pop and Rock like it is to die for. I know... I had the pleasure of working with Dean in the early eighties in a band called Anastasia. We were an all original band at a time when Long Island was filled with cover bands. We did very well for several years and till this day I speak to fellow musicians from the Island that remember us well. The memories are fond... Deans voice is what set us apart.

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 02:11 am:

Just thought I would pass along this news.......
Dean Parrish will be returning to the UK in late August. He will be the star live attraction at a Wigan Casino 30th Anniversary event put on by Russ Winstanley on 23rd August.
Whilst in the UK, Dean will be staying with Tommy Hunt at his house in Yorkshire..