By doc3824 (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 10:49 am:

Hi Bobby. I'm new to the forum, but have always loved soul music, particularly, Philly soul, and Motown, being my favorites. It is a real pleasure visiting the forum every day, and reading all of the "inside" information on my favorite recordings. Everyone is so knowlegable on the forum, and there is an obvious passion for this music. It is important that we keep this passion for this music alive. I'm sitting hear listening to Blue Magic right now..........Question for Bobby? What made the music that came out of Philly so special? It was incredible to me that artists whose careers were more or less on a downturn, turned to Philadelphia to take a chance in reviving their careers. Dusty Springfield, Jerry Butler, Wilson Pickett come to mind. Were you involved in the production in any of those artists records while they recorded in Philadelphia? Again, pardon me if I am going over old topics, but as I said, I am new to the forum. I am particuarly interested in any recollections that anybody might have in the Wilson Pickett recording sessions. Well, I've rambled long enough, but, thanks again for all of the great information this forum provides, and let's keep the music, and memories alive.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 11:10 am:

Doc,
Welcome to the forum. I'm sure Bobby will be around to answer your questions.

By Eli (141.151.90.50) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 11:29 am:

Hi Doc,
Welcome to Soulful Detroit(and Philly)

We are always happy to hear from new readers who share the same passion for our music.

Regarding your first question about the "resurrection" of flagging careers, I never really gave that much thought but in a sense you are so right.
The emergence of TSOP came at a turning point during the Viet Nam era when we were all looking
for a "message in the music" so to speak and Gamble and Huff and the rest of us delivered that message at the right place in time to give the masses optimism through our musical word.

Kenny had always had an ongoing relationship with Jerry Butler since the Romeos days when they all played the Uptown together and it was only fitting that they join forces to make some new music together.
He knew the Ojays since 1967 and the Bell records days and they first recorded together on the short lived Neptune label and when PIR started they came back but reluctantly so.

Dusty and Pickett came through a production deal with Atlantic starting with Archie Bell in 1968 although I did co-write several tunes for Pickett.

I did not "produce" any of the afforementioned acts but our ideas were used a great deal in the production of those records, albeit uncredited.

The Blue Magic stuff, I was involved with from day one, having been a part of the WMOT team with the late Norman Harris.

By Eli (141.151.90.50) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 11:34 am:

Doc,
P.S...As a studio guitarist, I played on 99and 44/100% of all of the Philly stuff during the heyday and some before and after.
Quick, where is my rocker and my Ben-Gay???

By medusa9e2003 (155.139.68.10) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 11:50 am:

HELLO DOC...and welcome 2 the Soulfuldetroit Forum.
2 B honest, I'm quite new here myself, and I'm not a celebrity, but the people here will make U feel like one...U will meet some of the best celebraties N the music business, that put the REAL music on the map..so again welcome aboard!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 11:57 am:

Hi doc3824,

Welcome aboard to the very best website dedicated to the 'sounds' of Detroit... of that which Motown had to offer, and then some more, besides!

Welcome to the 'soulful' Detroit family!

By paulie3shoes (141.151.90.50) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 11:59 am:

hey doc..dis is ol' paulie (over here)
jus' whut kinda doctor are youse??
dis form is gettin good wit doctors on it an t'ings, capice???
anyways, eh...welkum to da form and exkuse da way dat i tawk i didnt get far in skool an i had to do udder t'ings to survive, catch my drift??

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.167) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:27 pm:

Hi Doc............... enjoy "the ride" as this is only Big Family and I only wish I had found it much earlier!!

It makes my day - each and every day!

John

By stephanie (64.63.221.205) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 07:05 pm:

Hey Bobby
Did you play on Im Just Thinking about Cooling Out by Jerry Butler. I used to hear that record all of the time here in the DC/MD/VA area and Im shocked it didnt do better. I thought it was one of the better records of his in the 70s..he has a great voice and frankly I liked all of his solo stuff Im glad he left the Impressions I think both
parties were better seperate//
Stephanie

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 01:52 pm:

Hey Doc!
Welcome to Soulful Detroit, my friend! Any question you have we'd be happy to answer.
Regards,
Kevin Goins - KevGo