By SB (205.186.133.88) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 12:47 pm:

Greetings all,

Ok - what was the best "Live Concert", you ever witnessed in your opinion? And what artist(s) was/were performing? Name the place and approximate time period if one can remember.

The best concert I ever went to see was at the Capital Center, in Landover, MD - featuring "Marvin "The Sexual Healer", Gaye. It was in the fall of 1974.

Now - I'd been to many concerts and shows - but looking back and in retrospect - that concert was off the hook and chain.

Marvin sung his heart out - and he gave it his all. He was right on that night. Perhaps he gave a little more because he was performing at home, but I got the impression that he was always like that, for real. My oh my - but did that man take us home.

The Capital Center, of course, had seating. (They tore it down last year), but Marvin had us all standing up to insure we could see him. It started w/just a few folks standing up towards the front, but then within, it seemed like minutes - everyone in the place were on their feet - and we never sat back down. LOL!

My next favorite concert had to be when I went to the Richmond Colisium in VA, to see Mandrell(sp?), Funkadelics, Rare Earth, and I think War. Or maybe that concert featured just War and not Rare Earth. (Forgive me for not being positive on either those two - but the other 2 are correct) Man, but did they light that place up, and they were so enjoying themselves doing it. This was in 1973.

Also in 1973 - I went to Hampton University in VA, to see Eddie Kendricks, Earth Wind & Fire and New Birth. The groups opened for Eddie. Needless to say - it too was off the hook. I'll never forget how well Philip Bailey sung the 'ell out of - "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" That song stayed in my head for weeks after that.

What was the best, or just your favorite concert you ever witnessed?

By Eli (141.151.90.50) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 01:21 pm:

For me , there have been several and they span several decades.

The original Motortown Revue is right up there as well as a Stax Volt revue with Otis, Sam and Dave Rufus and Carla.

Also, on the pop side it was the Bee Gees in 1979.

By SB (205.186.133.88) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 01:39 pm:

Hey Eli,

From reading up - I take it that you are a celebrity of several sorts. You wrote famous songs and background music - right? And needless to say - you knew and worked with many artists.

Please tell me more for, I am more than impressed.
Nice to meet you. I wish I could have seen a live Motortown Revue.

It is a shame, that Otis and the Barkays died in an airplane crash. They were taken away from us much too soon. I would have loved to see them all perform.

I've always enjoyed the Bee Gees too. Those fellows were the original "Blue Eyed" soulsters - IMO.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 01:41 pm:

SB,
If you go to the forum archives and punch in Bobby Eli you will find a wealth of information about this talented guy.

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 01:47 pm:

Of all the shows I have attended, 4 stand out...

Richard Pryor at the Dallas Music Hall. (Nuff said !!)

Earth, Wind, & Fire (with Ramsey Lewis, Pockets, and The Emotions) Incredible show....this was E, W,& F at the max....twin drummers, Larry Dunn on keys and the whole 9 !!

Parliament/Funkadelic in support of the (1) "Mothership Connection" (with Bootsy's Rubber Band on their 1st tour, Blue Magic, George McCrae, etc.) and later supporting the "Clones of Dr. Funkenstein Lp
George was off the hook...and Fuzzy Haskins, Bernie Worrell, Glen Goins, Jerome Brailey, etc. were all "On tha 1".

War, AWB, and 5 Special.
5 Special set 'em up and AWB knocked 'em down !! By the time headliner War hit the stage, all they
could garner was a fizzle...because AWB was THA BOMB !

Gotta give props to Tower of Power...but a helluva show from them is the norm !!

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.40) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 01:50 pm:

SB
Bobby Eli is as well as being an all round nice guy
a musical genius(andthensome)
mel.

By Eli (141.151.90.50) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:00 pm:

Hi SB!!
Seems as though I have been around since the invention of the wheel.
For a relatively young guy, I have witnessed the evolution of the recording process from mono to its current form.
Some kind of way, through osmosis I have managed to find my onto some of the most classic recordings of all time, not just in Philly but in other cities and countries as well.
I have had the pleasure of playing on, producing, writing and arranging thousands of recording sessions and also had the pleasure of having the acquaintance of some of the most wonderful artists of all time.
So there you go, thats in in a nutshell!!

By Rhythm and Blue Showcase (151.204.38.119) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:00 pm:

I have to go with my two favorite groups. First, The Jacksons Triumph Tour in 1980 at the Philadelphia Spectrum. Takes me back to high school. The show was exactly 90 minutes, but it was a quality show flawless production.

Also The Temptations Reunion tour at the Academy of Music in Philadelpia. David, Eddie, Dennis, Glen, Richard,David and yes Damon Harris, introduced by Harvey Holiday. Awesome. They sang everything.

By Rhythm and Blues Showcase (151.204.38.119) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:02 pm:

And of course Otis and Melvin. The heart and soul of The Temptations.

By Eli (141.151.90.50) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:04 pm:

Oh yeah!!
Tower of Power on any given day!!

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.40) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:07 pm:

Detroit Emeralds in 1974.
Jnr Walker and the all stars in 1974
Jackie Wilson in 1975
The Chicago Soul Revue in 1975.
Edwin Starr at least 5 times all superb.
The Real Thing around 75/6.
amongst others
mel

By MEL&THEN SOME9 (217.14.178.102) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:15 pm:

forgot to mention
Billy Butler in 1974
and a superb and amazing preformance by
The Temptations in 1986ish
that totally blew me away.
mel.

By SB (205.186.133.88) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:27 pm:

Thanks Ralph. There are three Archives listed. They are - Archives 06-01, 04-03 and 01-03. If one of these is where I should look then - which one is the starting point for the info.? Or is there a main file, not of the ones I listed above, that'll show a little short resume of hissin's = (Eli's)? Thanks.

1Wicked - you just don't say, that War's performance amounted to just a fizzel and a hill of beans? Wow! But.....I can imagine that AWB was hurting you all and tore it up, and what not. I have at least four, maybe five of their albums. I even have their one w/Ben E. King. They are another wonderful "Blue Eyed", soul group of the first order.

From the songs performed during the Fuckadelic's concert in 1973, my fave was "Cosmic Slop". LOL!

By Rhythm and Blues Showcase (151.204.38.119) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:34 pm:

Favorite Tower of Power Tunes, I like the ballads the best.

"So very Hard to Go"
"You're Still A Young Man" (Any one Know lead vocalist on this song) Eli?
"Time will Tell"
"This Time It's Real"
"How Could this Happen" (Tommy Bose Lead)
"You just Fall Down" "

By MEL&THENSOME (217.14.178.101) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:45 pm:

Thanks for your in-put mel.
no problem mel.
mel.

By SB (205.186.133.88) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:48 pm:

Eli - that is impressive - but tell me who you started with and how you got into the business. And - out of all of your productions - writings and recordings - what is your main "Claim To Fame?" I know it is hard to choose - but what works are you most proud of? Name some famous songs you wrote and/or played on - and what not.

Don't be modest. This is just between you and I. LOL! I take it, most of your works and collaborations were out of Philly?

Rhythm and Blues Showcase - I saw the Jackson 5 in B'Ham, Al, at the downtown Civic Center, in 1971. They were amazing - and they gave us our money's worth and then some.

MEL&THEN SOME - Wow! You saw Jackie Wilson? How'd he do? And Jr. Walker & The All Stars? My parents used to buy every one of his albums. We still have them I'm sure, or should I say my mother has them. She is a trip. She tells me not to bother her albums - although she hasn't played any of them in 15 years or more. If I take one - she tells me to bring it right back after I listen to it. LOL! She even has Moms Mabley - Mahalia Jackson - and many more oldies but goodies.

By SB (205.186.133.88) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 02:49 pm:

Btw - I see we're some folks that can't narrow anything down, for the most part. LOL! We can't name just one can we?

By DF (208.27.111.121) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 03:21 pm:

Someone beat me to the Jacksons Triumph Tour. Only I thought the date was July 1981 at Madison Square Garden. No problem. The "Can You Feel It" Video was 20 years ahead of its time (Even though the brand new Music Television would not play R&B videos. Michael singing "This Place Hotel" (Heartbreak Hotel) is something to see!!!!

That was the baddest show I ever seen, until Larry Graham, Live at Trammps, NYC, 1997:
1) "Come on now, you ain't tired!!!!"
2) 20 bass players on stage
3) TWO Hughes & Ketner 8x10 bass amps in small room Trammps!!!!!!
4) 20 below zero outside waiting for my date. I was about to go in, and she came on time.

Incognito, 1999, at Irving Plaza.

Masters At Work/Nuyorican Soul concert at Summerstage (2000), featuring Jocelyn Brown, Roy Ayers and Jody Watley. Jocelyn can holla!!!!!!

Marcus Miller, Live at the Bottom Line, 1995. Hiram Bullock standing on top of tables while doing his solo.

Peace.

By FrankM (81.152.61.26) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 03:45 pm:

The Stax/Volt Tour at The Locarno Glasgow 30th march 1967. There were two sections so as Otis would not have to follow Sam and Dave on stage. each segment opened up with Booker T & The MG's and The mar Keys. Eddy Floyd and Carla Thoams provided support. Sam and Dave were double dynamite it was like having two James Browns on stage. Otis Redding could work a crowd. It was a great night

By Greg C. (207.103.134.103) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 03:48 pm:

EWF at the Olympia Stadium 1979. Phenomenal!

Marvin Gaye at the Olympia Stadium in 1974, Kim Weston was the MC who introduced him. Marvin brought the house down that night.

Jacksons at Cobo Hall in Detroit in 1977. The brothers were on that night!

The Spinners and the Sylvers at Pine Knob 1976.
Both acts were on the money.

Michael Jackson at Paramatta Stadium in Sydney, AU in 1987. His first solo tour. Excellent concert!

The Dynamic Superiors and Graham Central Station in 1975 at the University of Detroit. The Dynamic Superiors were ahead of their time and their overt gayness shocked many, but you couldn't beat them for talent and showmanship. "Miss Tony", as the leader Tony Washington referred to himself had that audience in the palm of his hand and worked that house. GCS closed the show and took everybody to church with "Release Yourself."
And we did...

Motortown Revues from 1964-69. I went faithfully every year and every show was stellar.

By cl (207.75.178.229) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 04:02 pm:

I am so envious of those of you that saw the motown revues stuff!!

Three shows were memorable for me: The Beatles '66 at Olympia;Sara Vaughn music hall circa 1985; and Jeey Lee Lewis at the second chance (now necto) Ann Arbor.

Beatles purely for the spectacle,I was only ten ,but I can say I saw the Beatles.

Sara Vaughn because I was originally there to see and hear Earl Van Riper the great Detroit jazz pianist who was opening the concert.I noticd Sara's drummer was Harold Jones a former Count Basie drummer so I wanted to hear him.When she came out it was magic, such a voice! And such self-assuredness, she was categorically and absolutely in control. Of course when you have that much musical ability........needless to say I was thorouhgly enchanted and styaed riveted to my seat for the entire concert!

Jerry Lee is an incredible performer and believe it or not I see similarities with Sarah Vaughn; i.e. an absolute command of the show and a confidence that borders on but is not quite boastful.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 04:14 pm:

Hi "everyone"back off the road and just scoped on this thread:
The best overall show I ever saw was The James Brown Revue in 1967 when he recorded the LIVE at the Apollo album, he was mind blowing, in those days he would lose up to 11 pounds at every performance and have to take salt tablets!
Next would be the mesmerizing Jackie Wilson, what a fabulous all-around performer extroidinaire!
For groups it would be Little Anthony & The Imperials with those splits & dance moves, The Manhattans with the white gloves & Smitty's soulful pleading & charisma, then The O'Jays with Eddie's magnitism & raw soul!

By SB (205.186.133.88) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 04:24 pm:

Hey Soul Sister! I missed you - although we just recently met.

Well - leave it to you to remind me of the JB concert, I attended at Howard University in 1968 in DC, other than when I thought of it last week. You are right - for James showed his - arrrruuummm - 'cuse me. He let us have it - and the crowd went wild. Needless to say - because of the state of affairs at that time - we needed that concert and that man on that night.

Now - I know you have more acts and concerts you done scooped - so let's have them.

Glad you made it back safely - girlfriend.

By Fred (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 04:35 pm:

Bettye Lavette/Howard Tate, Sweetwater's, Mill Valley, CA, September, 2002. During Bettye's set, Bonnie Raitt just put her head on her table and moaned. That's how good it was.

James Brown, Mosque Theater, Newark, NJ, 1967 (probably very near the Apollo recording date, essentially the same setlist as I recall, watched it from backstage with a buddy whose father was house manager). Never saw a tighter band live.

B.B. King/Bobby Bland, Mosque Theater, 1966. (Also watched this one from backstage.) It was somewhere in the middle of a long tour, and the bus had broken down the night before. They did the show on about two hours sleep, and you wouldn't have known it.

Ike & Tina Turner Revue, some small club in Richmond, Va. (looked like someone's basement rec room; knotty pine paneling and all), 1968. Halfway through the set, the fire alarms went off and nobody moved until Tina finished singing "River Deep, Mountain High." It turned out to be a false alarm, and I always believed Tina set off the alarm with her voice.

By Nish (216.148.246.70) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 04:40 pm:

Hey there SS - hope the road was fun.

Let me see here, it's so hard to pick just one. 1998 Smokey Robinson at the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. It was my 18th birthday. I didn't have a ticket. But it was my first time seeing the master and it was everything I ever dreamed. He took his time with my all-time favorite song "Ooh Baby Baby" and his command of the stage and audience was a spectacle to behold.

Other highlights - Barbara Lewis in 2000, the Miracles in 2002, Little Anthony and the Imperials on MANY MANY MANY occasions. Those guys always manage to leave me speechless.

By MichaelOH (24.157.156.82) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 05:17 pm:

Well...so hard to pick.

I'm going to have to put the Funk Brothers up there...their concert on April 15th here in Toronto was just incredible. The vibe in the room was so incredible...so much love for these guys. (And because I got up on stage, it's on the top of my list...!!!)

But, also...both times I've seen Patti LaBelle 1996 and 1997...Gladys Knight in about 1994....The Four Tops just this January, with the current lineup that everyone is talking about. Now, I'm as big of a Levi fan as anyone, and was a little apprehensive about going to see them, but they put on a hell of a show.

I'm sure there's more to mention....can't think of any right now!

MichaelOH

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 05:41 pm:

SB: The crowd was like the stand-up comedian (Barry ???) that was on 227 at one time..."Thank you...thank you..we can't take no mo'..." AWB worked the crowd into a frenzy with their high energy show...closing with "Pick Up The Pieces". Then War folows with what ?? "Cisco Kid ? "City Country City"? "Why Can't We Be Friends"? Yeah...right !! LOL It was just a mood breaker ! People walked out....

Oh...I only listed 4 concerts, but I must add the Tempts "Standing On The Top" show !! To see every living Temptation and every past and present configuration still possible was a beautiful sight and a treasure for the ear. It has been said that Eddie was beyond his prime and his voice was "fading"...but not THAT night in Dallas, Texas !! That's a show I'l never forget.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 06:05 pm:

Thanks for the welcome back SB & NISH my newest angel sisters, I missed all you guys, my laptop did not want to co-operate in N.Y.! Guess it was the dreary weather (ha-ha). The "gig"& the photo shoots went very well, Jimmy will be in the November music issue of Vanity Fair magazine, a new book on the old Birdland, & a photo book of jazz artists. He did a spectacular performance to a packed house of people standing & cheering at the beautiful venue Flushing Town Hall. The weather was dank, Safe & healthy yes, thank you for your concern. Lots of Love!!!!!!!

By SB (205.186.133.88) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 06:19 pm:

Thanks for getting back 1Wicked. See - don't even get me started on folks knocking my homeboy Eddie's singing! I just will not go there. Don't go there SB - just don't. LOL! I am sooooo glad that you thought he was on and enjoyed him, though. Thanks for that.

What was that "War" song with the word "Park" in it? I think, I might be catching alzheimers or something. I can't remember enough - and especialy when I trying to. I think I got that album - so you don't have to get back - but I used to love that song.

I think the first "AWB" album is my all time fave. And.....it must have been sort of sad when the folks walked out on War. Ouch!

By SB (205.186.133.88) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 06:23 pm:

Soul Sister - who is Jimmy? And congrats to him.

I know what you mean about the weather. We've only had about five days of sunny weather since the first of May - LOL! I think the MASTER is trying to remind us that He comes before this so-called mother nature.

So - what time at night did the shows end? And how long are you home for?

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 07:21 pm:

SB;
Jimmy is Legendary Jazz Vocalist Jimmy Scott, formerly known as (name given by Lionel Hampton in 1949) Little Jimmy Scott. You might know some of his early records that crossed boundries of the catagories Blues/R&B/Soul/Jazz such as " Everybodys Somebodys Fool" and "The Masquerade Is Over". The "gig" ended early this time (just one set) approximately 11:00 pm, afterwards was a "meet & greet"autograph signing and more photographs. I'll pass your congrads on to him, thanks.
S.S.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 07:29 pm:

SB;
Sorry, forgot the last part of your question: We will be home until the 11th. of July then we leave for a Tour of Japan on July 12th. Home on the 29th. for one day then off to Boston, home for three days then off to Los Angelos on the 7th. of August. We won't get so much as a breather till mid-August for one week before heading out to Milwaukee.
S.S.

By Nish (216.148.246.70) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 07:32 pm:

Speaking of Jimmy Scott - his "If You Only Knew" album is one of my favorites - his version of "I'm Thru With Love" is a beauty. It features one of my hometown musical heroes, Kenny "KLOOK" Clarke on Drums!!! Go Pittsburgh.

And since I'm talking jazz - one of the best concerts I've ever attended was a jazz concert the U of Pitt's jazz prof Nathan Davis puts on every year. The one I went to in '99 featured one of my favorite trumpeters, Jon Faddis, and George Cables on piano, and DONALD BYRD, among many other luminaries. The show was just jazz at its greatest.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 07:48 pm:

Nish;
Your ever expanding musical tastes do truly amaze & delight me that someone so young as you has all that soul! Keep it up, enjoy hearing what you have to say.
Jimmy still does "If You Only Knew" in one of his set-lists. That album was done on October 18, 1956. "I'm Through With Love" is a beauty, he also re-recorded it on February 16,1994 on his Sire/Warner CD "Dream".
S.S.

By SB (205.186.133.88) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 07:48 pm:

I was wondering if it was Jimmy Scott you were speaking about. My God - but my moms has about five of his albums upstairs. I knew it. You go girl. I feel for you sister girl, though. You're a better one than me - 'cause I don't think I could travel as much. But of course - it is part of who you are. And ain't nothing wrong with that. You hang tough - and take some pics to post to the board. You sound a little tired - or am I just imagining things. LOL!

Although - Ive noticed that there are no pics posted here. Ralph are pics allowed to be posted here?

Nish - if we were to start talking about Jazz then - we'd be here all night. Bob James, Stanley Clark, Earl Kluge (sp?) and Donald Byrd are some of my faves. Don't make me go upstairs and pull out the jazzafrazz lps.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 08:01 pm:

SB;
Your right Iam tired even so I go on this forum to relax my nerves. The travel is tiring, meeting so many people gets old fast and dealing with Jimmy at times is a big job in itself (He-He). Sorry if that comes off sounding jaded but this business makes you that way, its a tough life, not at all glamourous as some may think, but I get to visit other countries (tho not always time for sight-seeing), meet some fantastic people and feel blessed in many other ways. In some ways it has its perks but the price is sometimes very high due to the toll, it, at times can take on you.
S.S,

By Novemberboy (65.238.154.108) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 09:06 pm:

3 Concerts come to mind. The first was Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard at the Civic Arena in Pittsburg. I was in high school, so must have been about 66. The second was Mary, Cindy and Jean right after Ross left at the Palace theater in Columbus, Ohio. I was in college by then....1970. The last was in 76 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. at Bachelors III, with Mary, Scherrie and Susaye. They about tore the roof off. What a show. Yea, I'm a Supremes fan! You lucky people who got to see the MotorTown Review!

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 01:51 am:

Soul Sister...please give me the particulars for the Los Angeles date !!

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 10:46 am:

It will be at "Great Performances" on the "Water Stage" California Plaza on August 8, 2003, 8:00pm. The address is: 350 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071. There will be two sets.

1Wicked; I hope this helps, all the particulars I received thus far. S.S.

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 10:55 am:

José Feliciano at Lincoln Center-1970

Earth Wind & Fire�Madison Square Garden-1971

Diana Ross and the Supremes/Stevie Wonder�Garden State Arts Center�1968

Temptation/Supremes (Jean Terrell)�Latin Casino�1970

Prince�Hamburg Germany�1985

Whitney Houston�Roxy, LA�promotional tour for her first album

By STUABSS (152.163.252.68) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:37 am:

WHILE NEVER A HUGE CONCERTGOER...I HAVE WITNESSED SOME NICE PERFORMANCES...BUT USUALLY...I ESCHEW THE LARGE CONCERT VENUES FOR SMALLER...MORE INTIMATE PERFORMANCE SITES!!!...THATS WHY I LIKED THE "FUNK BROTHERS" LOS ANGELES APPEARANCE AT THE WILTERN THEATRE...GETTING THE AUDIENCE CLOSER TO THE ACTION...WITHOUT ALL THE DISRUPTIONS THAT USUALLY OCCUR AT LARGER CONCERT AREANA'S!!!...
ONE PERFORMANCE THAT I UNUSUALLY ENJOYED...WAS A PERFORMANCE OF THE "GRP" ALL STAR BAND AT THE "GREEK THEATRE" IN HOLLYWOOD!!!...IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL EVENING FOR THIS OUTDOOR CONCERT...AND THE SHOW FEATURED A LOT OF GREAT SMOOTH JAZZ MUSICIANS...INCLUDING...TO THE BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION...LEE RITENOUR...DAVE GRUSIN...DAVID BENOIT...AND TOM SCOTT...WITH A SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE BY BOB JAMES!!!...MY GIRLFRIEND AT THE TIME WAS NOT REALLY INTO SMOOTH JAZZ...BUT CAME AWAY A TRUE BELIEVER!!!...THIS WAS BACK IN ABOUT 1991!!!...I COULD HAVE LISTENED TO A COUPLE MORE SETS!!!...STUBASS

By Eli (151.197.34.9) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:49 am:

If I had to pick just one, it would have to have been Live Aid in Philly in the summer of 1985 for its sheer historical significance. We had seats in the fifth row center and we were there from the very beginning until the very end.

Also the Earth Wind and Fire concert at the Philly Spectrum in, I believe 1979 that was staged by Doug Henning with all of the magic tricks like vanishing and reapearing and stuff like that.

By LG Nilsson (213.89.29.129) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 12:08 pm:

The Beatles � Stockholm Tennis Stadium 1963

Ray Charles � Stockholm Concert House 1964 or 1965

Stax/Volt Revue � Stockholm Concert House 1968 with Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd (He is coming to Stockholm this summer together with the Blues Brothers Band featuring Steve Cropper)� I�ll be there�

James Brown � Stockholm Concert House 1968 with Marva Whitney & The Famous Flames

Earth, Wind & Fire � Stockholm Ice Stadium 1979 or 80

Stevie Wonder � Stockholm Ice Stadium 1980

The Four Tops � London Royal Albert Hall 198?

LG (Lars)

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 12:28 pm:

Hey Gang:
Live gigs I treasure the most:
Donny Hathaway, SUNY Brockport 1971 (my brother emcee'd; I watched Donny from the wings with my parents).

Earth Wind & Fire, Rochester War Memorial 1975 - THE most amazing concert in my life!

Santana, Ithaca College Ben Light Gymnasium 1985 - four hours of jammin' & Carlos playing his heart out!

Simply Red & the Brand New Heavies, New York's Central Park Summerstage 1992 - the BNH were funky and Mick Hucknall was soooo soulful.

Chi-lites, New York City World Trade Center Plaza
1997 - The group did two afternoon shows & had the audience in the palms of their hands. Frank, Marshall & Squirrel sounded wonderful.

I've been to many other concerts since but these stand out in my mind as my favorites overall in the world of funk & soul.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Scratcher (65.150.229.197) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 12:32 pm:

The EWF and P-Funk concerts of the seventies were amazing affairs. Even more amazing is that both groups are still as exciting live without all the expensive props like the Mothership and the magical effects.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 12:35 pm:

Oh...forgot to add this one...
War, Wetlands Nightclub, New York City 1992.
Wittled down to five members (including Lee Oskar), they sounded as funky as they did in the 1970s. What a groove!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.62) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 12:56 pm:

Hey Lars
What was Marva Whitney like?
do you recall if she sang
"saving my love for my baby"
great singer.
cheers
mel.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 01:32 pm:

Mel;
I remember when Marva first joined the JB Revue, no one at that time thought she could sing esp. the Apollo audience, as they booed her off stage in tears when her voice cracked trying to hit the high notes on "People", one comment yelled from an audience member was she ruined a beautiful song! YIKES! I felt bad for her. People thought she was there as one of JB's latest conquests, but lacked any real talent. Thats sad. Personaly I have no critique, just an observer who was there at the Apollo to see James' show period.
S.S.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.121) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 01:59 pm:

Soulsister
I have always liked Marva's stuff
what do you think of her now?
heres a few
This girls in love with you
Its my thing
your love was good for me
Ball of fire
He's the one
although she went into the funk side of things which dosent appeal to me.
Sorry to hear what you mentioned above.
I still like her stuff like those mentioned above.
mel.

By LG Nilsson (213.89.29.129) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 02:10 pm:

Mel,

That fantastic James Brown consert was 35 years ago! All I remember is that James Brown sang "Cold Sweat" 5 (five) times!!!... after the "Please Please Me" ending. The audience went crazy. I do not remember any of the songs Marva sang. She was new to me then.

Lars

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.123) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 03:29 pm:

I Know what you mean Lars,
I keep forgetting just how long ago these things were.
some only seem like yesterday.
thanks
mel(aching all over as Randolph Walker sang on Mala records)

By TonyRussi (68.18.39.39) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 03:42 pm:

The best for me would be Mary Wells 1966, meeting the Motortown Revue in '62, James Brown 1967 and Marva Whitney was on the sidelines learning all she could from the powerful vocalist Vicki Anderson, 1971 the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.Those are the stand outs I saw just about all the artists I loved many times over.

By DetroitDar (198.81.26.231) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 04:49 pm:

Kevgo: I am so jealous that you saw Mick Hucknall and SR in concert. None of my friends were SR fans, only me...It must be that Irish thang!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 05:36 pm:

DetroitDar:
Mick & company had the audience in the palms of their hands from beginning to end. The band sounded amazing in the outdoor amphitheatre and even changed the intros of a couple of their hits ("Holding Back The Years" for example)which kept us on our toes.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By brown8644 (166.107.76.18) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 05:59 pm:

The Best for me would be the Spinner New Year
concert 1976-77. I had just graduate from High
School in the Summer of 76. I had been a spinners
fan from the first second I heard I'll be around.
They have always been my group. I think because
of the fact they had been together so long and
I just respected that fact as a young person that
seem unique. Well it's stand as the best concert
I've every seen at the Circle Star Theater in
the San Francisco Area. They put on a awesome
show. I was in love with the Sweeties, boy I wish
I had that on video they showed out. What a memory.

By Allen (24.24.194.28) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 06:08 pm:

No Bout A Dout It!

Larry Graham and Graham Central Station.
University Of Detroit Field House.
1974 or so. Opening act was The Dynamic Superiors.

By the time the show was over, the audience was tired. That place rocked from the beginning to the last beat. The audience left all sweaty with their sharp ass clothes hanging every which a way.

Allen

By SB (205.186.134.47) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 06:18 pm:

I feel like such a slow poke - because I don't know of all the folks you all have mentioned. Who is Marva? I wonder if I've ever heard her sing.

I always loved "Tower Of Power", and would have loved to see them perform.

LG Nilsson - you ain't said nothing. It was 35 years ago when I went to see JB also. It was about the time the riots were quieting down. (about the middle of April 1968) I knew some guys that had went to DC to participate in the riots - and it was interesting hearing them tell their tales about it before and on the bus ride to DC.

After the concert - and on the bus ride home - some of the fellows were still upset - because in their opinion - James just proved to them that they had a leg to stand on, as it pertained to them still being so upset. 'Cause you know the theme song of the night was - "Say It Loud - I'm Black & I'm Proud." And JB sung the 'ell out of it. Folks were about to storm the stage. They were more energized than eva. LOL!

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 06:43 pm:

Mel;
To be honest I haven't heard any of Marva's recordings after JB so I don't have an opinion.
If you like her more power to you my friend.
Best, S.S.

By Marv (64.12.97.7) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:50 pm:

Earth, Wind and Fire at the Toledo Sports Arena- August 1975!!!! I'll never forget it. All the lights,props and the band was kicking!!! Also never forget that funny cigarette smoke swirling around the place LOL!!!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 11:34 am:

Hey Marv!
The air was smelling kinda funny at the EW&F gig in Rochester as well!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Marv (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 11:51 pm:

Hey Kevin, weren't those the days!!! I remember seeing Parliament/Funkadeliacs "Flashlight Tour" in July 1978 and the place was "cloudy" to say the least! LOL

By Eugene Brown (64.7.167.66) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 04:21 pm:

The Jacksons 10/18/79 (Saginaw, MI)
Prince 02/04/82 (Saginaw, MI) "Controversy Tour"
Prince 12/08/82 (Saginaw, MI) "The 1999 Tour"
Temptations 06/19/82 (Flint, MI) "Reunion Tour"
New Edition 10/15/88 (Detroit, MI) "N.E. Heartbreak Tour"

By SB (205.186.130.187) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

Back in 1974, I think - I saw a bunch of artists on the Monument Mall grounds in DC. I don't remember them all - but Stevie was the headliner - and he was too thorough. I trully enjoyed the event, until the crowd started rushing/pushing foward and what not - and for crying out loud. I panicked for about 20 seconds - and then got the uppityup - up - outta there. We headed for the back of the crowd and hung tough, 'cause I didn't want to get crushed. Ever since that time - I have been leery of large crowds - and limited my concert going days after that.

Anyone else almost get caught up in a stampede? I asked the Lord then - not to let me meet my demise that-a-way. Thanks to Him - I'm still standing and breathing.

By JoeR (170.148.92.30) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 05:03 pm:

For me it's gotta be my first concert EVAH...

The Temptations reunion concert at Radio City Music Hall in 1982. I took my high school sweetheart (and future bride) and we had a wonderful time.

The show opened up with all seven on stage. The Classic 5 (Dennis in place of Paul) performed their classics. A tribute to Paul was made with Eddie singing 'Try To Remember', followed by Dennis' version of 'For Once In My Life' and David closed it out with 'The Impossible Dream'. My date asked "are you crying?" and me being the macho type (a year out of high school) said "no baby... I got something in my eye". Yeah, right, like she bought that - LOL

That will remained engraved in my mind for the rest of my life.

By Eli (68.162.98.96) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 05:06 pm:

Another good one was the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder at the Spectrum in 1972 and Deniece Williams was in Wonderlove.

I also enjoyed Al Green at the Latin Casino in 1973.

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 09:56 pm:

Soul Sister...I'll see ya 8/8/03 for that hug !! Be on the look-out for some pinstripes & a fedora...

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 10:16 pm:

No Sh_t, pinstripes & fedora. Just look for the gal keepin'the chicks away from Jimmy (chuckle) just kidding! Just look for someone running around like a chicken with her head cut off! Thats me,(chuckle). Remind me to give you some photos of Jimmy from back in the day 1Wicked.

By HW (68.37.216.164) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 11:20 pm:

Steve Wonder's return to the NY stage after his car accident, 1973. One of the great sustained 'moments.' You could look it up.

EW&F w/Weather Report in NYC 1975, "Shining Star' just about to explode, and the group sensing the moment to rise to the occasion.

The Blackbyrds, Kool & The Gang, Gladys Knight & The Pips and the O'Jays - when all of them save the Blackbyrds, coincidentally and amazingly, had Top 10 hits that week in '74... O'Jays stole the show from headliners GK&TP's.

Prince at the Palladium circa Dirty Mind. I still hear it in my head.

Luther Vandross & Gwen McRae OPENING for Frankie Beverly & Maze...

Pointer Sisters at Lincoln Center in their heyday.

Eddie Kendricks and The Stylistics double-bill in their heyday.

And oh yeah - Sugarhill Gang, Spoonie G, Funky 4 + 1, Sequence and Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five on one bill with a LIVE BAND, the downtown Ritz NYC, 1981. Never thought I'd say that but it's all true. Later that year - P-Funk All Stars, playing for the downtown crowd like they had nothing and everything to prove. Loopy, funny, nast-ay show.

Some guy named Springsteen was pretty good back in the summer of '78 - saw that show a few times in my radio days. Whatever happened to him?

Then I recall a fun event in Detroit at the Roostertail about three years ago, the Velvelettes totally commanding the stage - I look up, and there's John Lester on stage singing along...

By HW (68.37.216.164) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 11:23 pm:

Wait - one more: HOWARD TATE, live at an award ceremony, singing "Get It While You Can" with producer Jerry Ragavoy playing piano, just months after 9/11... another moment frozen in time. That inspired the new version of the song on Tate's forthcoming album.

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 02:54 am:

And just who is gonna keep the men folk away from YOU Soul Sister ??? (LOL)

No B.S. Soul Sister...I do sport my pinstripes, and Cleveland's "Mike The Hatter" is a "close & personal" friend ! (LOL) If I'm not wearing a fedora...I'm wearing a pork pie. It just depends on the function being attended...and my mood. (LOL)

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 09:29 am:

Not a problem 1Wicked, I had my day in the sun, Iam strictly a one man woman these days and forever more! Just gotta keep an eye on that outrageous actress Paula Kelly she can't seem to keep her hands off Jimmy whenever he's in town! Guess I'll have to restrict visitation to the dressing room and ban her from entry like Jimmy told me to do (BIG SMILE)! Hey 1Wicked "Mike the Hatter"advertises on T.V. now! You evidently dress very dapper. S.S.

By TonyRussi (68.18.39.39) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 01:09 pm:

SB, Marva Whitney is a beautiful lady from Kansas City that became a part of James Brown Productions in 1967.Her recording of "Unwind Yourself" has been sampled alot on rap records..her soul hits were "Its My Thing", "Things Got To Get Better", "I Made A Mistake" and a great duet with JB "You've Got To Have A Job". Her 2nd JB Produced LP "Live & Low Down At The Apollo" is very good. She left JB in the early 70's(maybe 1970 or 71 )with Maceo Parker & alot of the band(pre-Bootsy)had a couple of releases but performs occasionally today,sometimes with Bobby Byrd & Vicki Anderson.She is a very nice person and still a good singer.

By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 04:35 pm:

Well it goes like this:
Motown Review/Regal Theatre 1966
Temptations (classic5) Capitol Theatre 1968
Temptations Reunion Tour 1983 Auditorium
Dramatics, Bloodstone Park West 1987
P-Funk Live Sportsman Park 1998
Prince, Time, Vanity 6 Auditorim Theater
War High Chapparal
Morris Day & Time House of Blues Chicago 2000
Marvin Gaye Holiday Star 1982
Victor Wooten Joes Bar 2001
Betty Lavette Rosa's Blues Club 2002

These were some of the best I have ever attended. But hardly a fraction of all the live shows I have attended. Funny the one I didn't mention was the Time I saw the Temptations(w/Dennis) follow the Ojays and just couldn't get the crowd back. In fact the Ojays kicked their a**......never thought it could happen but it did. Now lets see we have The Tempts, Ojays,Whispers and Four Tops coming to Chi town on the same bill, I wonder who will win this showdown. Its being billed as the Greatest singing groups etc. etc...but without the Dells and Dramatics.....I dont know.........

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 04:49 pm:

The O'Jays are gonna kick butt again !!!!!!!

By SB (205.186.128.49) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 05:29 pm:

Kdubya - well - well - the Ojays showed up the Tempts - 'eh. Ok - I'll buy that - 'cause I love that group. But - the Tempts had their days of showing up groups - so it was all good.

Matter-of-fact: Which out of these three groups were the best?

1. Ojays
2. Spinners
3. Isley Brothas

I have numerous albums by all three - and I will neva be able to decide which one was the best - because I loved them all equally.

My fave group of all time was the Classic 5 Tempts. And - I also enjoyed Dennis singing lead. But.......the last album I bought by the Tempts was "Memories", in 1975. It was off the rector scale - IMO. I almost bought the one w/"Stay", on it, which came out several years ago - but didn't. I am sure the members post David - Eddie & Paul were great - but it neva was the same for me.

The three, mentioned above - helped me make it thru the seventies and ova the years - once the C5 & HOF6 Tempts were no more. LOL! I don't know what I would have done w/o them. Surely - I loved and admired many other groups - but the above three - I love(d) to no end.

Please check out the below website. After reading about "EW&F", - go to bottom of the page and click on - "The Neighborhood", and then go to the bottom of that page and click on "Old School Daze." There is a good article about "Sam & Dave", that will appear. I read where they hated each other. But - I'd like to believe, they also shared a great love between them, for the most part.


http://www.kenyada.com/earth%2C.htm

By Handsome (170.118.157.134) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 05:58 pm:

I saw Patti Labelle since she went solo, some of everywhere in Chicago & Merrville IN. I love that woman. I got a chance to sing in a choir behind her on the gospel PBS special, "Going Home to Gospel" in 1990.

Michael/CleoHarvey-When you saw the Supremes (w/Jean Terrell) & The Tempts. did they do that TCB thing? Any songs sung together?

KevGO-How was it to see Donny Hathaway? I would've love to see him. His music and voice is timeless.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 06:10 pm:

SB my friend from DC, it's the O'Jays hands down, have you ever seen them live in any decade, Eddie is so awesome, Walter is a good balance to Eddie's soulful voice. They tear the house down!!!And those super great love songs, mmmn, mmn, mmn...(smile). S.S.

By SB (205.186.128.49) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 10:37 pm:

Soul Sister - I am so embarrassed, for the Jimmy I was thinking about is/was Jimmy Smith. He was a jazz musician. When I went thru some of the albums a little while ago - I realized my mistake. I'm sorry about the mix up.

So anyway - tell me more Soul Sister. What does your Jimmy Scott sing? Or does he play in the band. And is he good looking? LOL! I do declare!

And I hear 'ya about the Ojays. I told you I loved them. They are unique - just like all the others.

I heard "One Nation Under A Groove", on my way to work this morning. Talking about cruising on in to the parling lot of where I work. It ended right before I parked. I was groovin' up a storm, and it sounded soooooo good to me. "Gettin' down just forrrrrr the funk of it."

Have a good one.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:01 pm:

SB;
Jimmy is the legendary jazz vocalist, you probably know his R&Bish tunes "Everybodys Somebodys Fool" from Lionel Hampton days 1950, or "The Masquerade Is Over", which he recorded on Royal Roost in 1950 and on Savoy/Sharp label in 1960. He's been recording since 1949 thru this year. His most coveted album was one he recorded with Ray Charles on piano & producing in 1962 for his Tangerine label called "Falling In Love Is Wonderful". For more info see other threads recent & past, or type his name in search and you'll come up with tons of sights on him.
S.S.

By Eli (68.162.96.89) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:19 pm:

I can tell you one of the WORST concerts that I ever saw wasthe Isley Brothers performance at the Budweiser Superfest in San Diego in 1981.

By Treena (208.8.159.222) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:27 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 Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 08:23 am:

Memo to SB: yeah they showed my boys up and I was outdone. It all started when Eddie Levert and company went into "Your Body's Here with me, but your mind is on the other side of town"....Eddie screamed, hollered and bounced from one end of the stage to the other....it was a classic performance. I have always been amazed at the full bodied sound of the Ojays at their live performances. They look like three little guys but they sound like six. I absolutely love the Temptations (all two hundred and seven of them :-) but on this night the Ojays kicked butt.

The Tempt album you referred to is A Song For You. A great outing for Dennis and the Boys. One of my favorites was "I'm a Bachelor".

The Spinners,Ojays and Isleys were each so distinctive that I find it hard to choose any of them over the other. I liked them all but for different reasons. The Isleys, first the original three then 3+3 just rocked, The Spinners were special, before Philipe Wynne and like the Isleys went to another level with Mr. Ad Lib. Now the Ojays are the group that I have utmost admiration for, I believe they went from 5 to four to three and actually got better through subtraction rather than addition. Walter & Eddie deserve big props for sticking it out for as long as they have. Now my other boys are the Dells and Dramatics. But that will have to wait for another post.........We probably need to start them a thread of their own...if I can think of the right topic, I'll do it before the weekend.....peace & hair grease........

Kdubya

By Andy Skurow (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:09 am:

What a tough one!

By far the best was Stevie Wonder's In Square Circle tour (86? 87? 88?) Halloween night in Las Vegas, NV at the Thomas And Mack Center. He was hours late (2 or 3 hours if I recall) and then he took to the stage and did over 3 hours! I never saw him sing so much before or since. It was unbelievable.

I first saw Diana at the age of 8 at Caesar's Palace. I walked up on the stage and handed her a rose picked from my mother's garden. She kissed me and asked me to dance with her. After the show she talked to me. Being starstruck I thought she was larger than life. It was a long time before I touched the ground.

Worst concert: Whitney Houston, the I Wanna Dance tour. She had no desire to be on stage and she showed it.

By Scratcher (65.238.127.203) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:51 am:

Kdubya, the O'Jays definitely got more successful as a trio record sales wise but they didn't get better as a group. Their sales got better because they were with hot producers Gamble & Huff and had the CBS promo machine behind their recordings. The present trio doesn't compare to the original five man lineup, which included William Powell a great falsetto, and Bobby Massey and Bill Isle's backing blends; the latter was the same height as Ed Levert and the originals had a Mutt & Jeff look. They sound like six guys now because they've taken a clue from the Chi-lites and invested in the setup the Chicagoans use to enhance their voices in live performances.

By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 04:10 pm:

I hear you Scratcher, but they had the most success as a trio, beginning with "Backstabbers".And hell yes, a lot of acts benefitted from Gamble & Huff and I'm glad they did, thats almost like saying well the Classic Tempts would'nt have been so classic if not for a Certain Smokey Robinson. Heck I'll give Smokey his props just like I would Gamble and Huff, but they didn't sing the songs (which was my point ) I was very saddened by the death of Mr. Powell. I have been a fan of the Ojays since their early years ..especially of their hit..."Your The Best Thing Since Candy" and not to say that your statement about the current technology they use enhances their voices, I doubt they had it those many years ago when they clobbered the Tempts. I too have seen the Chilites in person many times with Eugene Record and without .....and they do sound good on most nights. They have a recurring role on the & 70's soul jam tour and although I have met them many times being a fellow chi town person myself, I never once thought to ask Marshall or the guys about their equipment. I 'll make a note of your comments and be sure to ask them about it the next time I get to see them perform. Thanks for responding.

By fayette (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 04:47 pm:

best concerts for me was the temptations,
ojays(sounds just like their recordings)
eddie levert is awesome,natalie cole
i wasn't a fan when i went to her concert,
in 78, but went on a invitation,needless
to say i'm a fan now.she literally sent
chills up my spine when she song "i can't
say no".worst concert as i said in a earlier
thread was isacc hayes.he is truly a great
vocalist but will sing one song for 30 minutes
if he sung 15 songs for 30 minutes.then
we can't leave that concert til a week later.

By SB (67.201.101.228) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 06:10 pm:

Hey Soul Sister. In tribute to you - below is a synopsis on who Jimmy Scott is. Again - I feel like I am so slow and ignorant at times - because I can honestly say - that I don't remember ever knowing anything about him. I had no clue as to how much he has contributed. Yet - my admiration for him has been born on this day.

It is amazing that he is still traveling and performing after all these years. But it just goes to prove - that some folks have to keep giving in order to recieve what they need.

God Bless him.

http://www.artsworld.com/tv/programme-pages-2001/011013-week-42/little-jimmy-scott-15oct.html


So who is Jimmy Scott? A man with a woman's voice that breaks women's hearts and makes men cry, whose career was mismanaged via the unbreakable and exploitative recording contracts of the 1950s that lead to a 30-year loss of the one thing that gave him true pleasure - singing jazz.

The life of Jimmy Scott is not one of meteoric stardom but a journey that has taken nearly 70 years to find its much deserved success. In this biographical documentary, intimate and frank interviews with his fellow musicians, friends, ex-wives and family are combined with the electrifying ups and downs in Jimmy's world.

One of ten children, James Victor Scott was born in Cleveland, Ohio on 17 Jul 1925. His mother was fatally injured in a car accident when Jimmy was only 13, and the children were scattered to foster homes. While still a teenager Jimmy was already touring the South as part of a tent-show revue. It was during this time that he discovered he had inherited the then incurable disease Kallman's Syndrome, a disorder that blocks male sexual development. His voice never broke and his sexual organs didn't mature. Jimmy only grew to 4'11" until his mid-30s and was always having to prove his masculinity. His appearance and voice often resulted in people thinking he was really a woman in disguise which in turn concluded in years of pain, harassment, lost opportunities, alcoholism and failed marriages.

Jimmy's break came in 1948 when he joined the Lionel Hampton band along with fellow musician and friend Quincy Jones. Over the next 20 years Jimmy recorded some of his most memorable songs, but contractual bindings stymied any real success until many years later. His failing career was resurrected by a stroke of luck. When his friend, legendary blues song writer Doc Pomus, passed away, Jimmy performed the timeless classic 'Someone To Watch Over Me' at the funeral. In attendance was Sire Records president Seymour Stein, who immediately signed Jimmy to a five album deal.

The programme you hear stories from his nightmarish childhood; the anguish of never going through puberty; the years of touring in the mid-40s with an assortment of characters from a travelling contortionist to the Lionel Hampton Band; his second wife Channie attempting to kill Jimmy with their blue Coupe de Ville. The humiliating experience of having to bare his body for the cruel fascination of the police and others, over and over again; the recent discovery of a cure for his disease followed by the decision to not accept treatment as it would steal from him the one gift that God had given him - his voice.

The stories are many - his legendary friendship with Ray Charles; his record contract with Savoy that resulted in his recording career being contractually bound - only 30 years later did he have the opportunity to release another record. During this period of obscurity, in which his obituary was mistakenly printed by one magazine, he worked as a shipping clerk at The Sheraton Hotel, occasionally performing on weekends to a handful of people. In his spare time he would study religion and seriously contemplated entering the ministry.

Jimmy's high, piercing vocal style has influenced scores of singers including Nancy Wilson (whose father took her to Jimmy for lessons), Frankie Valli, Marvin Gaye, Frankie Lymon & Stevie Wonder and his fans number some of the most talented musicians, actors, directors and artists of our time - Quincy Jones (his once roommate and fellow band member), Tony Bennett (he used to study demo tapes of Jimmy), Dinah Washington, Madonna, Joe Pesci (his friend of forty years), Levi Stubbs, David Lynch (featured Jimmy in the final episode of 'Twin Peaks' as well as the soundtrack album), Big Maybelle, Lou Reed (Jimmy sang on Lou's 'Magic And Loss' album), Percy Mayfield, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Liza Minnelli, David Byrne, Bruce Springsteen, Kim. Basinger & Alec Baldwin (he sang at their wedding), Martin Scorsese, Bill Cosby (structured an episode of The Cosby Show around one of Jimmy's recordings), Robert De Niro.

No wonder gospel singers whispered his name, women followed him home, junkies and drag queens idolised him. Jimmy understood! As Frankie Valli once said 'Jimmy's kind of truth is too painful for people to listen to'. What Jimmy Scott sings, he's lived.

By Scratcher (65.238.127.143) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 06:15 pm:

More success Kdubya doesn't mean the O'Jays sounded better or were more exciting on stage. With Eddie there the group will always be topshelf but the original quintet was extra special.

And F.Y.I. "You're the Best Thing Since Candy" was not the early days.

The early days were "Ball and Chain," "How Does It Feel," "Crack Up Laughing," "Lonely Drifter," "You're on Top Now," "Lovely Dee," "A Blowing Wind," "Oh How You Hurt Me Girl," "My Dearest Beloved," "Stand Tall," "Let It All Out," "Working On Your Case," "Lipstick Traces," "The Storm Is Over" and "Hold On," to mention some.

By SB (67.201.101.228) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 06:20 pm:

Hey fayette. Where did you see the Tempts and when? I never got to see them - but so wish that I had. At least I got to see Eddie Kendrick though. One day - I'll have to tell the story about the night I met him. I met him at the concert I went to at Hampton University in 1973. But - Lordy - Lordy - Lordy!

I heard "Phycedelic Shack", on my way to work this morning. They followed that with "Uptight", by Stevie. One of the hosts stated, that we had just gotton a dose of some "Motortown Review", action.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 06:31 pm:

Scratcher;
Don't forget my favorite from the early days "Stand-In For Love".
S.S.

By Scratcher (65.238.127.143) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 06:37 pm:

How did I forget that one Soul Sister, or "Pretty Words," "I'll Never Forget You" and "Hold On."

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 06:44 pm:

SB;
Thanks for the tribute! I haven't read that paticular article in along time, it made me cry all over again. The arthur seemed to like to lean toward the negative things that happened in Jimmy's youth, some of it not totally acurate but for the most part the truth. He admired his subject yet had a tendency to sensationalize, there's so much more to the story.

Girl, I don't know how you had the pateince to write all that, Lord knows I don't have the pateince, maybe I'm just too busy so when I sit down at the computer I really just kind of want to relax & take it easy. You certainly done your research, now you have to dig one of his shows firsthand, then you'll become an instant diehard Jimmy Scott fan like the rest who have witnessed him upclose. (smiling...trust me on that one).
All The Best Always,
SoulbareingSister

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 06:51 pm:

P.S. SB;
Jimmy says he never wants to retire.
From my point of veiw he loves/lives for performing. It's the only life he's ever known and since his mother passed its the only place he received love from that never left him until now.
S.S.

By fayette (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 06:55 pm:

i saw the tempts at the municipal auditorium
in atlanta. i will always be grateful to
my dad for allowing us to attend concerts
and driving us there and picking us up(i
was 14 at the time)we saw jackie wilson
stevie wonder(got a chance to kiss his cheek)
blinky williams who always stopped in the
middle of her show and say(i'd like to give
da drummer some)the stylistics, russell
thompson had the clearest voice i ever heard
and his eyes sparkled(i noticed that)johnny
taylor got too close to the stage and some
fans pulled him offstage.exposing his
tiger print undies lol

By SB (67.201.101.228) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 07:13 pm:

Soul Sister - I hope you really didn't mind me posting that one. I perused some other pieces and info. - but that one was sort of like a short bio. Of course - one can never believe everything one reads - so don't you even fret about it. I am sorry it made you cry. And you know that I didn't write it. Click on the link. I got it from there.

Remember, what we dicussed the first nite we met - and that is that no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes - and God is our only judge. And none of us can be totally proud about everything we may have done, expierenced or said. (Throw the first stone and all that) (Living in a glass house and all that) (And lastly - no sin is better or worse than the next) A sin is a sin. A vice is a vice. If I did cocaine - and the next person did diet pills - then whose vice is better or worse? Even God will decide things as simple as that.

There is not one thing written about Jimmy Scott in that piece that took away from the admiration that I've gained for him. I am already a fan.

Thanks fayette - but was David still in the Tempts when you saw them? Thanks ahead of time.

Don't y'all forget that the Essence awards are coming on at 8:00 p.m, on FOX.

By fayette (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 07:25 pm:

i saw david there after he left da tempts
he was solo. dennis was lead

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:13 pm:

SB;
Of course, I didn't mind. Like I said on the other thread you mentioned, my life is an open book and so is Jimmy's, I learned how to do that from him. The cry was a cry of joy, for the joy for loving & knowing the man the way no one else does, for the joy of his life, and the experience of knowing the deapths of his life, for where he came from, for where he went, for the love he gives everyone, for him. From day one I cried for Jimmy, cried for the pain he suffered, now I cry for the pleasure he gives thru his voice. He can move people in a way I saw no other do. No matter whatever he is, was, or wasn't people just love & adore him and that makes me very happy for him, so the tears are tears of pure joy. He can be a handful, a real peice of work, complicated & complex (chuckle) but he's my guy.
I can dig it, its all good, SB you are a seeker of the history and the truth in music. Keep on keepin'on doing what you love to do.
Your music friend,
S.S.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:30 pm:

SB & Fayette;
I saw the Temps when they appeared at Shea Stadium, it had to be around 1965 or 66. I saw David in the hallway outside the dressingroom, he was by himself not in with the other Temps, looked kind of perplexed or preoccupied when I was talking to him, like something important or troubling was on his mind. Looking back in hindsite, I wonder if he saw the writing on the wall , wonder if it was the beginning of the end?
I think he had the best voice & had the best stage presence in the group.
Another time my girlfriend & myself was invited to a party they threw at their hotel in N.Y.C.(don't remember the circumstances, some celebration of some sort) anyway, the party was going strong, spilled out into the hallway, they were inside but I was too shy at that time to enter the room! I have to laugh now after all my escapades down the road, That was only the third time (I think) I ever saw them and the last. That time was around the same time period.
S.S.

By SB (67.201.101.228) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:38 pm:

Soul Sister - whew! I'm glad you're not upset. I didn't want to mess up or step on any toes when posting what I did.

And I hear 'ya about Jimmy being a handful. What man ain't? LOL!

Again - from what I've read up on Jimmy today - he has some genius genes running thru him. Enjoy the fruits. Like "Leon", said, when portraying David Ruffin in the Tempts miniseries movie. LOL!

And thank you btw for your compliment. Most of us here love - "The Message In The Music."

When do you go back on the road girlfriend?

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:48 pm:

Mel;
Thanks for the great shots of "Pops" & the "Count"!! Jimmy is napping now but will get a real kick out of them when he sees them! And isn't that Jimmy's cousin-in-law "Lady Day"in the background with "Count"?
Jimmy adored "Pops", he'd go hang out at Pop's house. The funny thing Pop's wouldn't let anyone in his house that didn't smoke weed.he-he-he-he-
So you know they had some fun times back in the day!!!
S.S.

By melandthensome (217.14.178.51) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:55 pm:

Soulsister
my pleasure
what on earth is weed?
that stuff from the garden?
reading ya loud and clear baby.

Mel(flew over the moon many a time)

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:00 pm:

SB;
I'm surely feelin'ya!
We leave for a Tour of Japan on July 12th. Where Jimmy's been "number 1" for the last three years straight. The Japanese love him, two couples flew all the way to N.Y. last week to catch his show, there is a few people around the world that fly out to catch his show at different places. I'll miss the forum, hate the 13-hour plane ride, but love the trip. It will be awhile before I visit you all again, after Japan we are home one day then off to Boston, back for four days then off to L.A.
Soullivin'lavitalocaSister

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:01 pm:

Mel; You are so funny and then some!!! S.S.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.51) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:16 pm:

Soulsister and Mr Scott
have a safe journey and flight
when you visit Japan.

And without a doubt Mr Scott will be
blowing them all away on stage.

It will be cold turkey when you go
so hurry on back and if possible can you bring me back a rare soul loving Geisha Girl please.


have a great gig and time
yours raising my Saki
and dropping my rice on the floor and dog
Shogun Mel

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 01:03 pm:

Hey Mel!
That Geisha I'll bring back for you can sweep that rice up & give the soulhound a bath, both the four-legged one & the two-legged one!!(CHUCKLE!!).
S.S.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 01:04 pm:

OOPS... Might have to bring a dozen back for the AngelDaddy!

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 01:07 pm:

SAKI TO ME SOUL SISTER!!!...STU(WANNA BE EMPEROR)BASS

By SoulAngelSister (68.73.167.246) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 01:14 pm:

STUBASS;
Did you get my drift on the other post?
Well, Glad your back on board.
SAS

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 01:22 pm:

POSSIBLY!!!...BUT IF YOU CARE TO EXPLAIN...MORE IN DEPTH...CLICK ON STUBASS AND WE CAN DISCUSS IN PRIVATE!!!...STU

By MzMusik (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 01:50 pm:

Hey everybody, I am new to this website. I was told to check it out by a friend. Some of you remember me, so to you I say,"what's up?" Anyway, the best concert I ever attended was Smokey Robinson @Pineknob Michigan. This was in '99. He put on a skit that was awesome. He sang some of the songs he wrote for other artist. He would sing maybe, My Girl and the dancers would suround him, then his backup singer would sing My Baby and they would surround him. They would go back and forth like this through about 8 songs and then in the end Smokey got the girls by singing The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game, or maybe My Girl was the last song, either way, Smokey got the girls!!!! I will be at Pineknob again next week to see him. He is there for a big 4th of July celebration. I may even get to meet him. I will keep you all informed.

angie

By SoulAngelSister (68.73.167.246) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 02:07 pm:

STUBASS;
This angel is going barrier reefing now, see previous thread by Melandthensome. (Big Smile)
Maybe, I'll e-mail you later, tho'its not really important, just a little bit of humor. Ya'dig.
SoulAngel

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 02:10 pm:

O-KEY...DOE-KEY!!!...STU

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 02:30 pm:

Soul Sister....hit me up off-line. I'd like to say hello when you make it to L.A......but we may need to exchange info first. I don't wanna get tossed out by "Paulie 3 Shoes & Associates" security services if I get too close ! (LOL)

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 05:47 pm:

1Wicked;
Not sure if I have your E-Mail address, do you want to post it? If not I can dig it, for obvious reasons I can't post mine.
S.S.

Ralph;
If your listening you may give 1Wicked my e-mail add. if he contacts you privately.
Thanks,
S.S.

By John Lester (217.40.234.9) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 06:16 pm:

MZMuzik...you remind me of a concert I saw featuring Smokey and Loletta Holloway. Now that concert was incredible.... (Nish - you would have loved it - Quiet Storm was on too)

The Originals at the Manchester Ritz was memorable as it was a heart wrenching performance.

Martha doing "Go Ahead And Laugh" at Camden Town in London made me cry. I never thought Martha would do that song but she did...amazing.

Any concert on Edwin Starr has to be mentioned. The man never put on a bad show when I saw him.

I also saw wonderful performances from Marvin Gaye at the London Palladium and Bournemouth

The Velvelettes at the Roostertail, Cleethorpes and Liverpool also still rings in my ears....

I have never seen Aretha in concert..she went and cancelled the one UK tour I got tickets for.

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 11:27 pm:

John, you know I would have loved to here Smokey sing "Quiet Storm." I've seen him twice, and he's never performed it... MAN!

S.S. - FUN FUN story about the Tempts party. And yes, I see you have a little Ruffinatic in you too. I must say, my little heart was smitten by the Ruff-man early on. It's a permanent condition, I think. Have a FUN trip to Japan!! It all sounds so fun.

Clearly, Mr. Scott must fit Pittsburgh into his concert calendar soon, I would love to see him perform live!!

you know, I think one thing about soul is that it's SO FUN when it is performed live. It has an improvised feeling that I think it should have, and the crowd gets involved, and the choreography is always outrageously sharp and the personalities are just so vivid from onstage. I love soul live!!

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 12:13 am:

Nish;
Yes! LIVE is the best!!!
Should we get a booking in Pittsburgh I'll let you know. I would like to get Jimmy on T.J. Lubinsky's show! Have you been to any of the shows at the Heinz or Benndelum (SP.) Hall ?
S.S.

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 12:17 am:

Oh man, HAVE I? My gosh, I've been to the vast majority of them! And the last time, I even got to do interviews. Man, it's at one of those shows that I FINALLY got to see my Miracles and my favorite Motown lady Claudette perform live. I've got tons and tons of very cool pictures from some of them. From hanging out with Jerry Butler to singing Barbara Mason songs with Barbara Mason, I have a lot of fun at those shows.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 12:31 am:

Nish;
That is so awesome! How did you manage that, as a interveiwer? Did you have good seats or watch from the stage wings? Very cool & very fun, you'll really cherish those memories when you hit the big 50! (ha-ha)!
S.S.

By Nish (66.119.33.135) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 12:50 am:

First few, when I went strictly as an audience member, my sis and I always had really good seats. The last time, when I went representing Motown Alumni Assoc., I watched from backstage, hanging out and all with my favorites. It was all so fun from my wide-eyed perspective. I mean, I went back to school after thanksgiving break just recounting the stories over and over again. You bet I'll cherish the memories. And it's very little things that really hit me, like watching Barbara Mason's gleeful expression as we watched Thelma Houston perform, or me asking Mr. Gorman, Mr. Dixon, and Mr. Gaines (the Originals) about how many overdubs they did on "Just To Keep You Satisfied" or getting long words of wisdom from Jerry Butler. Fills me with joy just thinking about it.

By Allen (24.24.196.115) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 08:59 am:

I saw a couple of concerts listed here that I played. Teena Marie opened for Prince on The Dirty Mind Tour for 3 or 4 weeks. It was so strange. He only allotted us 6 feet on the edge of his stage. He had a big production. Runway lights, multiple levels.

Once he saw that we were gonna kick ass regardless of the stage, he relented and gave us little more space. We finished at Cobo Arena right before Christmas. I told Andre' Cymone (Prince's Bassist) .. "Your boy's gonna freeze his lil ass off at Cobo in them leggins and that friggin trench coat. The hawk is gonna come off the Detroit river, under that big door and fugg him up.

He got a good chuckle out of that. It was a great show. Very spiritual. People lit their lighters when we played "DeJa Vu". People were actually crying from feeling good. Gotta love that.

I'd like to mention something I think is important, but seems to go without notice.

Teena Marie is the only white female artist ... that I've ever known of.. to have a mainly black female audience. I could be wrong, but I can't recall anyone else. If someone else can, please tell me.

The other tour I saw someone mention was New Editions "N.E. Heartbreak Tour". I had to play a lot of synth bass on that gig. Plus I wasn't happy with the way the boys were treating the musicians. That tour was trouble for a lot of people. I think that's when Whitney met Bobby....

Nuff said,

Allen

By SoulwishIcouldsinglikethatSister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 12:24 pm:

Teena's got tons of soul baby!!!!!!!

By Nish (170.224.224.134) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 12:45 pm:

Allen, I think your observation on Teena Marie is right. I have non-black friends who have NEVER heard of her, but every black woman in my generation I know of HAS TEENA MARIE in her collection, most definitely. It is kind of a wild phenomenon!

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 05:44 pm:

Allen:
You're dead right about Teena. My ex raved about the 1st Teena Marie concert she attended (and STILL continues to !!)..and I think the ONLY thing I EVER did that she appreciated was taking her to see Teena at the Galaxy in Santa Ana (Ca) before we went our separate ways. (LOL) The lady has soul & is a great writer and one helluva musician. I was in retail record when her 1st LP dropped...and nobody gave a rat's azz if she was White, Black, or purple....she could lay down some funk and could move you with a ballad as well. I'm just happy she was introduced to the masses when she was...at a time when talent was the most important criteria.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 05:52 pm:

1Wicked;
Did you read my answer to your question on the above thread from yesterday?
S.S.

By Greg C. (207.103.134.25) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 06:01 pm:

This is for Allen.

I was at that Graham Central Station/Dynamic Superiors concert at U of Detroit, too. You described it to a tee! We had some "sho nuff' church" up in there that night and folks sweated out their hair and their clothes.

One of the greatest concerts of my life!

By SB (205.186.128.196) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 07:28 pm:

Do you all remember - the group - "The Young Rascals?" Lord have mercy - but did I get the name right? I apologize if I didn't. I used to love that group. Remember their song - "Expressway?" (Expressway to your heart) (Expressway - is not the best way - at five o'clock - much too crowded?) We use to skate off their music when I lived in Ft. Hood, Texas.

Anyone remember what some of their other hits were?

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 07:37 pm:

SB!!!...NOBODY REMEMBERS THE "YOUNG RASCALS"!!!...WERE THEY A GROUP???...STU

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 07:40 pm:

JUST JIVIN SB!!!...EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO THE RASCALS ARE!!!...WE'VE DISCUSSED THEM FREQUENTLY HERE!!!...FELIX CAVALERI IS A VERY GOOD SINGER...AND THEY HAD SOME VERY NICE HITS!!!...STUBASS

By 1wicked (24.126.64.120) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 07:47 pm:

Soul Sister...just click on my name & my address will come up....

By SB (205.186.128.196) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 07:48 pm:

Thanks STUBASS. I used to love that group and their sound too.

I decided not to call them "Blue Eyed Soul Singers", because some of these brothers - may have had brown eyes. LOL! And especially - if they were Italians. Some folks have declared that there are some Italians that are the Black man/woman's distant cousins. Yet some do have blue eyes and this is true.

By dvdmike (68.72.100.115) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 10:34 pm:

First concert I ever saw was The Beatles at Comiskey Park, 1965. I was 10 years old. Could see pretty good, but couldn't hear anything except those screaming teenagers. Never understood why you would pay all that good money to see your favorite group only to cancel out the music by drowning it out with screaming. Well..

But that concert could not beat the Motortown Revue of '63 at The Regal, though. The Miracles, Little Stevie, Mary Wells, The Marvelettes, Martha & The Vandellas, The Contours, Marvin Gaye.
That was probably the best show I ever saw.

By Eli (141.151.3.90) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 10:56 pm:

SB...
Expressway to your heart was done by the Soul Survivors out of Philly in 1967.

The Rascals made Groovin and Its a beautiful morning and a host of others.

By b (65.242.121.50) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 04:45 pm:

My first concert was James Brown at COBO Hall in Detroit, fall of 1966. That will forever be up there. Also special was Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes w/Miami Steve at teh Warner Theatre in DC - mid 70's. They brought out Ronny Spector (ex lead singer of the Ronettes (who was not on the bill) and rolled through at least a half dozen or more smoking versions of the greatest song of the Ronettes. All told both shows ran over three hours.

By MzMusik (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 01:45 am:

By the way, Smokey will be in Chicago on October 11th. I will be at that concert too!!!!!! If there are any Chicagoens going, let me know.

By Allen (24.24.196.115) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 10:18 am:

Greg C.
That GCS concert at the U of D was Da BOMB!!! Motown Revue's at The FOX, watching the congregation at New Bethel Baptist fall like flies when Aretha and the choir pulled on heartstrings, along with a few other things are what led me to pursue a life in music.

When I told my family and friends in Detroit that I'd be quitting my job at Ford to play music for a living, they all looked at me as though they were The RCA Dog. You know.. head half cocked to the side with a blank stare.

The power of music is something to behold. It can put you in a mood or take you out of one. Our graduating class song was "Keep Your Head To The Sky". Music can fill you with unimaginable determination or leave you emotionally wrecked and unable to function.

When it seemed like our government and the majority wouldn�t recognize the basic human dignity that my father and his father and his father's father sought, and the situation looked grim, Curtis Mayfield stepped up and said "Were A Winner" and don't ever let anybody say boy you can't make it, cause a feeble mind is your way.

Jimi Hendrix and James Jamerson were also contributing factors in my decision. We as musicians are tested constantly. We have to fight with club owners to get our money at the end of the night. People want to pro-rate our salaries. Our union is week and doesn't protect us because the people who set up the rules we operate by, also run the record companies.

Some of the artist�s think it�s part of their job to beat us out of every dime they can wrestle away. And our government looks at us as a non-essential part of life.

I just wanna know, what would life be like without music?

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 12:25 pm:

THAT AN EASY ONE...CALSSIC TEMPS AT THE HOWARD THEATRE 66!