By MEL&THEN SOME (81.174.192.104) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 04:36 am:

Carrying on a little from
the thread before regards some of the great Blues recordings etc that came out of Detroit,
can anyone tell me more about these following early Detroit Labels and artists please.
As usual I fully appreciate any in-put whatsoever.

J(Joe)V(Von)B(Battle)
a very early label that was at
3520 Hastings Detroit Michigan.

We know about the rev.franklins involvement here as well as Joe Von Battle continuing to record rev.franklin later on whilst at Chess records
but I would likre to know a few more artists if possible.
I know of a
One String Sam that recorded a 45 called
'I need a Hundred Dollars'
there was also
harmonica greats on the label such as
Walter Mitchell
Robert Richard.
also
pianist Boogie Woogie Red.
as well as various gospel recordings
such as the rev.franklin and also
Elder Roma Wilson etc etc.

Fine Art Records
do not know the address
but I know that
Sippie Wallace recorded on the Label.

Sensation Records
(someting like)3247 or 3747 Woodward Avenue
Detroit Michigan.

amongst a few there was
John Lee Hooker
that recorded for the label.

Samson Records.
3419 or 3410 Hastings Detroit Michigan.

Baby boy Warren recorded on this label
with his Trio.
can anyone tell me who his trio were and anymore about Baby Boy Warren as well as any others.

Thats it for now,
as well as information regards the above labels etc coming from myself personally I must also mention pieces also came from the magazine called Detroit City Limits a great magazine run by Graham Anthony and the mag was given to me by Keith Rylatt.

So if anyone can please add anything else to any of the above then I for one would be most grateful.
many thanks
regards
mel(andthensome).

By the count (69.14.113.157) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 07:59 am:

HEY MEL,good one here(and then some)
I'll dig into my 78's when I kan,these are some great 7eventy 8ights,but in my (morning rod knocking head,I've got a bad rod knock this morning,my hair hurts)I have some kool SENSATION Label 78's of the great pianist and arranger "TODD RHODES"(Todd Rhodes & Toddlers)
A few off the top of my rod knock are,--------
"Teardrops"/Pot Licker"
"Blues for the Redboy"
Some of the live reel to reel recordings I have of him and his band are from him appearing at the Detroit Club JUANA and one of his R&B revues at the Flame Show Bar here in DEEEEEEEETROIT.
Also have some Todd 78's of Todd on "KING" with his band and "Wynonie "MR.BLUES" Harris"
Also have a Todd on "KING" after SENSATION LABEL went down the drain,with "LIL MISS SHARECROPPER"((LaVern Baker) "Snuff Dipper"/"Trying"
I have so damm many 7eventy 8ights,but you brough up some kool memories here,I have on reel to reel of Todd Rhodes live at the SHOWBOAT in Philly playing "THUNDERBOLT BOOGIE" and LaVern Baker singing "LOST CHILD".
On SENSATION Label,and King Label,this guy was one hell-a ivory tickler.
I'll have to check the valts in my shed on the others,and when the time allows I'll put these on CD and Frizbee them your way.
Latter MEL,need a large ICE KOLD bloody Mary right now to get straight,or even a good VODKA AND PRUNE JUICE("pile driver")

"COUNT"

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.80) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 08:25 am:

Hey Count
great stuff as always from your fine self.
I know a little about Sensation records but not to much regards Todd Rhodes.
Was reading about phillys Showboat a while ago.
Would love to one day see the reel to reel if that were to ever be possible.
Also would love to catch that frisbee man if you ever throw it over here.
Anyway Count
I was juiced up myself last nigfht so I know where ya coming from daddi-o.
Always great to hear from one KOOL KAT like yourself Count
and one day I am coming over to rampage thru' your extensive record collection with you know who!
catch you later
you smooth operator.
mel.
ps
did you ever get those plaques from the walk of fame(haw haw)

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 08:38 am:

Sensation was at 3747 Woodward.

This was the city's record row, albeit only one block! Circa 1960.

The rest were spread over Hastings Street/John R and eventually the Michigan-Woodward-6 mile triangle.

By MEL&THEN SOME (81.174.192.9) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 04:27 pm:

Thanks David.
mel.

By Fury13 (64.79.80.176) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 08:36 pm:

Actually the "Record Row" continued onto Selden (with, most notably, Arc-Jay-Kay) and there was at least one company on W. Alexandrine as well. One of the early addresses of Robert West's Contour/Flick was at 65 E. Forest (behind the church), and Jack Brown had a one-stop, the Hi-Q Record Mart, at 3137 Woodward (that building is now condominiums). Fortune's studio was at 3942 Third. So the record industry wasn't confined to one block, but that area (Woodward and Selden) was the center of the business in Detroit circa 1955-1960. Midtown Detroit was the epicenter.

Sensation was indeed at 3747 Woodward, where the new addition to Orchestra Hall is going up now.

J-V-B was at 3530 Hastings (now the southbound Chrysler Freeway service drive), just south of Mack, east side of the street.

By Jim G (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 09:14 pm:

Count,

I've written a very detailed bio and have compiled a discography of Todd Rhodes. My heart skipped several beats after reading your post; you have performance recordings of Rhodes at the Flame??? And the Club Juana???
At the least, I'd like to add them to my discography. Would you please email me?

By MEL&THEN SOME (81.174.192.11) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 11:58 pm:

Does anyone know of a Label which I think was called
Bango records or something like that?
many thanks
mel.

By RJ Spangler (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 02:14 am:

Count, I sure would like to hear that live Todd Rhodes stuff. Bet a label would put it out!

By Allen (24.24.197.33) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 07:56 am:

As a child, I was told about Detroit's Black Bottom. About how vibrant Hastings was. Wish I'd seen it.
Do you all realize that in almost every major city in America, the African American central business districts were all bulldozed for our nations Interstate Highway system. Probably not a conspiracy, but a hellava coincidence. They never recovered from it either.

Allen