By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 06:11 pm:

Does anyone know anything about her now?What a great record Party Lights is-and she wrote it!Does she have a following in England--as England appreciates great music.

By rockfan (65.238.91.134) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 10:37 pm:

I had always read she was rather "odd" whatever than means? I think she was a school teacher. Guess that could make one "odd"....at least, these days. Love that "Party Lights". She had a rather unique voice. Can't describe it, but, it's distinctive. She also wrote a lot of her own material. I have a CD of her and it's filled in with another singer I can't recall.

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 06:28 pm:

I remember reading that it was "odd" that her record company issues Walking thru the cemetery as her next record and then just seemed to lose the momentum with her. I think I read she was classically trained. Ive never read she herself was odd.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 06:41 pm:

Walking Through The Cemetery was pretty odd - probably a few years before its time, I suspect.

By TonyRussi (68.210.7.184) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 08:06 am:

As great a record as "Party Lights" was & is the rest of the stuff I ever heard by Claudine Clark was Not very good. It was strange at the time that Chancellor records waited so long to release a follow up and then what was released was junk like the "Party Lights" LP which at the time I never even saw in the record depts in Miami, Fl.!!Its hard to beleive "Party Lights" was intended as the B side.

By stephanie (64.63.221.219) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 08:14 am:

That record Walking through the Cemetery is a bit
depressing!!! The rest of the songs on the album are not very good at all you are right Tony..its a shame she had a good voice and I feel that she could have had at least 3 or four more hits under her bag..
Stephanie

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 11:12 am:

Last I heard she was living in Atlanta, GA. She
had attended college and I believe had a degree
in music and this was all before recording.

By MEL&THEN SOME9 (217.14.178.98) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 12:39 pm:

I couldnt imagine walking through
a cemetery or singing about a cemetery
as being anything else than
depressing.

mel(the zombie)

By Eli (141.151.61.175) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 01:42 pm:

What about Dead Man's Stroll by the Revels??
Dick Clark had them reneme it Midnite Stroll so they could do Bandstand!!!!

In the old kinescope one could see Billy Jackson as a gravediger!!

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 05:38 pm:

And Monster Mash,Patches(DIckey Lee),etc. It ALL depends on the record. Was it released around the time of Kennedy assasination or maybe held to come out after? I just love Cluadine's line per her Mama -and herself wanting to go the parteeee--"and Im hear a lookin like(or at?) u"!!Hope she didnt sign away her royalties.

By drlorne (216.26.218.7) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 10:49 pm:

I bought the album "Party Lights" and was disappointed that the album cut was different from the 45 (long before I knew of alternate takes or such---I wanted the radio version). Unfortunately I gave the album away. I think there was also a song, The Telephone Game?. Could have been a flip to Party Lights or Walking in the Cemetery---I chucked that one too.
Drlorne

By TonyRussi (68.210.7.184) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 08:31 am:

The flip side of "Party Lights" was "Disapointed" which later I learned was the intended "A" side.As an 11 yr old rocker at the time I hated "Disapointed" as it was a ballad. I don't recall the song "Telephone Game" I got the LP on CD several years ago and "Party Lights" does not sound as good as my old 45.

By Mark Speck (199.183.75.191) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 01:07 am:

There's also a Northern soul record by her as well, "Goodbye Mama", on a label called Fayette.

Best,

Mark

By drlorne (216.26.218.25) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 12:49 pm:

I remember "Disapointed", what were they thinking that that should have been the A side? I think I too was 11 and I was fascinated by the white and black label. In Canada, Chancellor Records and Cameo and Parkway were black and white labels. Watching the records spin on an old Seabreeze single speaker record player---pure innocense.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.20) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 12:52 pm:

They were playing the other side to the
"walkin'through a cemetery'as well Mark
called
"the telephone game"
on Chancellor Records(no.1124)
mel

By TonyRussi (68.18.39.39) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 01:04 pm:

I heard that Claudine Clark recorded under different names after Chancellor...I think on Swan &/or Jaime/Guyden,strange that as far as I know she was not on American Bandstand during "Party Lights".

By Scratcher (65.238.128.25) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 01:50 pm:

I rushed out and bought "Party Lights" when it came out and loved it. But the other side, I can't remember the title, left me cold. An odd choice for a B-side I thought.

By Eli (68.162.98.96) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 02:01 pm:

Hi, Eli here!!
Every now and then I run into Ms.Clark's son Timmy who runs a music school and is an accomplished musician in his own right.
His mom still teaches as well.

By TonyRussi (68.18.39.39) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 02:15 pm:

Hey Eli, I'd love to know more about her.She was a "One Hit Wonder" and the wonder seems to be WHY?I mean she wrote "Party Lights", the bass & drum were kickin' so the producer did his job on that record, was Chancellor clueless? I never really read or even saw a pix of her until years later.Do you know who played on "Party Lights" ect. Thanks Eli.

By Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (68.80.162.3) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 03:08 pm:

I knew Claudine Clark, her brother use to play orgin, he played on some of the the Larks records, I used to talk to Claudine all the time, yes she was a school teacher, she did not understand the business, so she just stoped doing anything, her brother Hollis, was trying to get her money that the record compenys owed her,but sad to say he passed away before that happended, I have not seen or talked to Claudine in years.
WELDON

By Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (68.80.162.3) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 03:16 pm:

PS.this was before Bobby Eli's time
WELDON

By TonyRussi (68.18.39.39) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 03:22 pm:

Hey Weldon, I knew Bobby Eli would have been too young to play on those sessions but I thought he would know something about her & her sessions since he was in Philly and into music at a young age.Claudine must have been real young when "Party Lights" hit.Thanks for your information.

By Eli (68.162.98.96) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 03:41 pm:

Tony,

Party Lights was recorded in Chancellor's tiny two track studio in the 1300 block of Vine street
in downtown Philly around the corner from where Sigma is.
The site is now a parking lot.
They moved there from their former location in the Chancellor Hall apartment building at 206 S.
13th st hence their name.

The musicians were probably the same ones who played on the Cameo stuff. They were probably Bobby Gregg on drums, Joe Macho on bass, Walter Gates on piano, Joe Renzetti on guitar.

Chancellor was mostly a "whitebread" label with very little r&b output.

By Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (68.80.162.3) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 04:12 pm:

Tony Russi, did you want to know about Claudine Clark, or tell me what Bobby Eli knows, I just said it was before his time, I was there,I'm just trying to inform you guys here on the forum what was happening here in Philly, before Bobby Eli, Claudine Clark was a school teacher when she was recording.Thats why she droped out.I was in the music business years before Bobby Eli, and I was born here in Philly and I still live here and I'm still in the music business,I'm not putting Bobby down,it's a fact.
WELDON

By TonyRussi (68.18.39.39) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 04:35 pm:

Mr. McDougal, I'm sorry man I always connect you with Motown and forget that you are in Philly and were from Philly and you would know more about the Philly scene than just about anybody.I know that you discovered Barbara Mason and produced her first sessions.I also have and enjoy your book on Motown.I know Chancellor Records were into the teen idol scene with Fabian & Frankie Avalon but you would have thought they could have promoted and have followed "Party Lights" with at least a minor hit, but I guess thats the record biz.Thanks again for all your contributions .

By Eli (68.162.98.96) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 05:36 pm:

I actually played on a few sessions in the Chancellor studio which included "Shoe Fly Pie" by the Souvenirs featuring Larry Pinder on lead, before it was demolished and the Claudine Clark recording info was given to me by the engineer whos name escapes me.

By Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (68.80.162.3) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 05:48 pm:

what year was "Party Light" recorded,
WELDON

By Scratcher (65.238.127.140) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 06:40 pm:

"Party Lights" came out in 1962; don't know if it was recorded that year or the year before though.

By Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (68.80.162.3) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 07:37 pm:

I was 26 years old in 1962, Bobby Eli how old were you in 62.
WELDON

By Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (68.80.162.3) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 09:24 pm:

were are you Bobby Eli,you said you played on sessions at Chancellor studios,I'm asking you again how old were you in 1962?
WELDON

By stephanie (64.63.221.241) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 10:46 pm:

Weldon
Can you email me at stephanie_20904@yahoo.com there is something that I have you might be interested in..
Stephanie

By common (208.8.159.222) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:02 pm:

Eli, isn't old enough to have done all he claims are you Eli?????

By Eli (68.162.96.89) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:14 pm:

Common, are you calling me a liar??

By common (208.8.159.222) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:17 pm:

Eli, isn't old enough to have done all he claims are you Eli?????

By Eli (68.162.96.89) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:20 pm:

Once again, are you calling me a liar??

By common (208.8.159.222) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:32 pm:

I have missed so many show because I have been on tour or was doing my own shows BUT, in 1993,I saw Bonnie Raitt Live at the fully restore Paramount Theater doing Road tested, she had many amazing guest and I was blown away.

1983, I was a light tech, and my most blown away show I ran a super trooper on was none other then Aretha herself, I have been truly blessed!

By Treena (208.8.159.222) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:41 pm:

No Bobby Eli, I wouldn't be shy if I was to call you a liar I would do it to your face, I just wanted to know your age?

By stephanie (64.63.221.241) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:48 pm:

Hey you all whether this is Bobby Eli or not lets keep the board peaceful we dont want another outbreak. If anyone gets nasty just ignore it we want to be a happy family here..
Stephanie

By Eli (68.162.96.89) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:50 pm:

Treena,
Are you and Common the same person, then??
The IP #s are the same.

By Treena (208.8.159.222) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:54 pm:

Yes, I forgot to put my name in ...really sorry about that! Forgive me, someone else is using that name, I am Treena, girlbassplayer1961

By Eli (68.162.96.89) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:54 pm:

It IS Eli here,
With all of the info that I take the time out to share here on SD, I do not like to be doubted.
I have been on this planet a very long time and because of this I have done a lot things in my life and proud of most of them.
So if anyone wants chronological info, then I suggest that you do the math!!

By Treena (208.8.159.222) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 12:01 am:

Bobby Eli

b. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Bobby Eli is an accomplished songwriter, producer, arranger and guitarist.

Born and raised in Phiadelphia, there is an assumption that Bobby is a black artist, however, he is actually a white musician.

Bobby has been a major influence on the Philadelphia music scene since the 1960's.

His major input, however, came in the 1970's and 1980's as a session guitarist, songwriter and producer.

Bobby was one of the founding members of TSOP and the MFSB set up.

As writer and / or producer he has worked with a wide array of artists including Major Harris ('Love Won't Let Me Wait', 1974), Blue Magic ('Sideshow'), Brenda And The Tabulations ('Let's Go All The Way Down'), Booker Newberry Ill ('Love Town'), Ronnie Dyson ('Just Don't Want To Be Lonely' & 'Heart To Heart'), Atlantic Starr ('Straight To The Point'), Gavin Christopher ('We're In Love'), Joanna Gardner ('I Could Never Love Another Like You'), Jean Carne ('Givin'Up On Love') and Jackie Moore ('This Time Baby').

Bobby has also worked alongside Dionne Warwick, Rose Royce, Elton John, The Whispers, The Temptations, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson & the Jackson Five, Curtis Mayfield, Patti LaBelle, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, BeBe and CeCe Winans and many more.

Bobby Eli's musical portfolio is second to none ;)

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.65) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 12:32 am:

Bobby
say the word mate
and the uk all-nighter loons are at your call
mel

By Sue (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 12:43 am:

Wow mel you ARE up late

By Sue (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 12:44 am:

The midnight Detroit regulars stand by as well ...

By MEL&THEN SOME (212.159.53.104) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 12:54 am:

Sue
as Paris sang on the Doc Label
Sleepless Nights
as usual as I am about to hit the zzzz's
its time for my work.
regards
mel the night owl

By Treena (208.8.159.222) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 01:17 am:

Eli, Sue and Mel, I already said I was sorry for the double posts and I am not the one who first ask Bobby Eli his age, I thought it was a joke. I know what Eli has done and I wouldn't question him if I had any doubts, I would email him privately and talk to him, sorry for the misunderstanding on my part!
Treena

By Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (68.80.162.3) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 08:34 am:

nobody knows Bobby Eli better then I, he has done a lot of great things,but he was not there before me,I knew Claudine Clark, I know the 3 degrees,
I'm not calling him a lair, some of the things he sayed are hear say, all I'm trying to say is I was there and I know, by the way I would not be here on the forum, if it was not for Bobby Eli.
WELDON

By Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (68.80.162.3) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:02 am:

I'm not calling him a lair, some of the things he said are here say, all I'm trying to say is I was there, and I know,by the way I would not be here on the forum, if it was not for Bobby Eli.
WELDON

By stephanie (64.63.221.173) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:09 am:

Im a bit confused here. Before I say this I in NO way am trying to disrespect any person or any of the greats on this board. But I say we should settle something before another trist breaks out.

Weldon I believe YOU and I believe Bobby Eli!!!
Since I believe you and Bobby brought you over to this board and the both of you respect each other and there were some doubting if this person is the real Bobby Eli let me ask this. Weldon since you were there before Bobby and Bobby was there after you and both of you claim to know the same people which Im sure you do.....HOW are WE to know what is hearsay or not? Im glad that you are defending yourself Weldon but Im confused because I woiuld hate to read something by Bobby Eli OR YOU and not believe it. I dont know how old Eli is but if he played on any of those sessions he must have been awfully young or a child prodigy I dont know. Im assuming are we to believe whatever Bobby says unless he is challenged or if there is an opposing view by you?
IM just confused and I would like to think that
everyone not just you and Bobby Eli are telling us the truth or what you remember to be the truth I know you guys cant remember every record you played on or produced or mixed or whatever.

Please help me here Im not asking you or Eli to defend yourselves all Im asking is how are we the curious here to know if its really Eli and Weldon talking and if we are hearing the truth or a partial truth. Should we just trust and hope? I thought the thing was a joke like Treena and someone was pretending to be Bobby I still dont know Bobby (this Bobby) seems pretty adamant that its him. I guess he uses different computers because the ISP numbers were different than the one Bobby Eli usually uses. I want to talk to the real Bobby Eli and hey ELI if that other ISP number was you well I guess I have to trust you and Weldon and do the research for myself.....
Please advise Eli or Weldon or both..
Stephanie

By Eli (141.151.24.197) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 04:05 pm:

To all of those concerned:
I am tired of all of this fucking bullshit regarding whether or not I am REAL or not.

How could you all have the fucking audacity to doubt me for one second.

I have taken the time to share my knowledge and my experiences. and this kind of knowledge does not come cheap.

Ill tell you what, it'll be a cold day in hell before I share anymore.

As for the non believers...FUCK YOU!!!

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 04:27 pm:

I had a bad feeling this was coming. Sorry Bobby. You know where I, and most of us, stand.

By Treena (208.8.159.205) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 04:41 pm:

Well it looks like someone is not being truthful here, Weldon has a point! To hide behind the info you provide and not share your age seems like you are dodging the question....WHY?

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 04:47 pm:

Treena,
It's not our business. Drop it please. This is a forum. Not an inquisition. If this convbersation isn't stopped I will pull the plug on the entire thread. Period.

By TonyRussi (68.18.39.39) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

Dear Bobby Eli, I'm a fan and I admire you & your talent.That is why I have asked you questions concerning the music and artist I love. I have NEVER doubted you and I'm very grateful for the wealth of information you provide to this forum.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 05:22 pm:

As we all are Tony. I think without question Bobby is the premier Fount of Knowledge regarding all things Philly, plus throwing in a smattering of Detroit, L.A. and NYC.
His contributions to this forum cannot begin to be measured by anyone's standards. It is through Bobby's efforts that Soulful Detroit has achieved the success it has. I don't know how to put it any more simply then that.

By MEL&THEN SOME (81.174.192.84) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 05:35 pm:

Hey Bobby
we know where your at bro'
Bobby Eli
Rare Soul Legend
and 100%then some.

We are all here and forever by your side man.
the uk soul scene
(every brother and sister)

You dont have to prove yourself a.........

a god-damn thing man.
will be in touch Bobby.

Regards
Mel a Bobby Eli follower now since 1971/2 and for that length of time knows a thing or two about the mans career.

Bobby you have nothing to prove at all
you've done it man.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 05:41 pm:

Bro Bobby;
I'm with you all the way as Jimmy would sing. Sorry this has come to this point but I dig where your coming from. You are NOT the BSer, its the person with the double thread hiding behind a name that is someone else's another words 'throw the rock then hide the hand', then they are playing dumb like they are the innocent party, just someone looking for a place to start trouble! I hope you won't let those doubter's or frauds keep you from posting, your 411 is too valuable. Please stay.
Love Ya', Soul Sis J.

By MEL&THEN SOME (81.174.192.84) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 05:48 pm:

Right on Soulsister.
mel

By Vonnie (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 08:49 pm:

To Treena and Stephanie

I have known Bobby Eli since I have been 16 years old and I have been in love with him since then. I have no idea who either of you are or what your agenda happens to be. I also know Weldon but not for the length of time I have known Bobby.

There is no need for Bobby to lie about his credentials, just ask Bob Babbitt and any of the other artists who have worked with him.

The inquisitions, insinuations and innuendos are without merit. There is no need for Bobby to validate anything with anyone.

Are you for real or are you joking?


Vonnie

By Vonnie (205.188.209.109) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:07 pm:

For Treena,

Bobby is over 21.

Vonnie

By Treena (208.8.159.214) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:14 pm:

Vonnie, if you read the other threads you would see, I thought it was a joke and I stated this already!

Ralph knows I have too!

By Vonnie (205.188.209.109) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:23 pm:

Treena,

Sorry someone must be posting using your name. I read a post with your name @4:41PM 6/27/03.

Vonnie

By Treena (208.8.159.214) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:27 pm:

Vonnie, no problem, I can repost my feelings about Bobby Eli again, I have exchanged private emails with him and he has been very kind and informative to me, he is a great man!

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:42 pm:

I have personaly talked with Bobby & Vonnie today.......so, if you beleive the above post then folks I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you!
S.S.

By Treena (208.8.159.214) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 11:28 pm:

Soul Sister, which post are you talking about?

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 11:36 pm:

STOP...EVERYONE....I AM GETTING FUCKING TIRED OF ALL THIS BULLSHIT!! JUST FUCKING STOP!! CAN I MAKE IT ANY CLEARER THAN THAT???
Thank you,
Your mld mannered moderator.

By Treena (208.8.159.214) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 11:59 pm:

Clark later attempted to compose a rock & roll operetta, and also recorded for Swan under the alias Joy Dawn, all to little avail.

Interesting women for sure!

By LostinSoul (172.201.243.189) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 06:38 am:

A time out is in order for Bobby Eli after that last F Bomb laced tirade.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 10:30 am:

And I can do without that opinion also Losinsoul.