By bassland (67.115.75.22 - 67.115.75.22) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 04:04 pm:

Hi Soulful Detroit,

Bob Lee here, I went to a rehearsal and performance by the Funk Brothers and my guess is the premier was a great success. I finally met the Brothers in person and had nice chats with all of them. As you may know, I have a site dedicated to Jamerson and when I introduced myself to Bob Babbitt, he gave me such a bear hug... I know it was from his heart but I also felt it was from Jamerson. I have a bunch of still shots to post, some of them here and others on my site. I will write Lowell today and find out if posting pictures is currently cool on the site (It may not be because of the transition). Be on the lookout for some photos here on SD

BL

By SisDetroit (67.25.222.61 - 67.25.222.61) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 04:16 pm:

And a great site you have. I'm anxious to see the pix. Thanks Bob.
Sis

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 04:40 pm:

Bob

If you mail them to me at david@soulfuldetroit.com I will upload them asap.

Thanks
David

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 04:53 pm:

Hey Bob,
Quite an experience getting bear hugged by Babbitt isn't it? There are some, Im sure, that have not lived to tell the story. The dude could love ya to death.

By Sue (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 05:06 pm:

I am still in physical therapy after an early summer Babbitt hug.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 05:08 pm:

Sue,
LOL!!!

By Sue (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 05:15 pm:

Hey, I was holding my purse when he hugged me, so I have a permanent imprint of it on one side!

It reminds me of the story Dennis Coffey tells in his book about the Royaltones goofing around, shoving each other onstage one night, that culminated with Babbitt being shoved and landing on somebody's table, scattering glasses -- oh, that had to've been ugly.

But the hugs are good.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 05:26 pm:

When I was with The Sunliners we played in Somer's Point New Jersey one summer along with The Royaltones. Both bands were staying at the same motel and very early one morning we all got a little crazy and decided to skinny dip in the Motel's pool, to the extreme delight of a bunch of girls staying at the motel. We saw them peeking through the curtains.It seems the highlight of the show was Babbitt doing cannonballs off the diving board. I seem to remember before this was all over, most of the patio funiture ended up in the pool.Haven't a clue how.....

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 06:10 pm:

According to a friend of mine, the premier was a GREAT success!

He told me he goes to those events all the time and it's the most jaded audience in the world. He had never seen so many of them so moved. People even prefaced their questions with little autobiographies about what the music had meant to them.

Congratulations to everybody, none of us Motowners can thank you enough for what you have preserved.

By Larry (216.23.183.2 - 216.23.183.2) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 06:16 pm:

Bob,
Yes, LA can be the most jaded. Uppity and snobby.
Last night was all good vibes, loud music, smiles, bobbing heads and beads of sweat. Bob Babbitt said very moving words about James Jamerson just before they broke into the finale "I Was Made To Love Her". As I told Ralph, I got the Funks to sign my PBass!!
I think it was Joe Hunter who was a real character and Joe Messina was a sweetheart as was Eddie Willis. All the guys were humble and giving and warm. And I know they're being put through the ringer to promote SITSOM.

By Sue (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 11:27 pm:

I can't wait to hear how it was to have Berry G himself at the screening. He asked for passes, supposedly he was going to be there, and at the after-party too.

By Larry (63.209.88.56 - 63.209.88.56) on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 12:02 am:

Ralph,
Funny story bout Babbitt and the Sunliners.
I'm sure you guys caused quite a splash.

Sue,
Didn't know Berry G was there. Bob Lee might know.
Course when Babbitt comes back, hopefully he'll give us his take.

By Sue (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 12:16 am:

Larry,
Allan Slutsky told me that Berry requested passes; whether he went or not ...we'll find out.

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 10:01 am:

I've got to share part of another e-mail from the same friend who attended the Microsoft party last night.

"It was as close to a musical life-altering experience as I've ever had. I hope the Bros. know how much new-found (and old-found) appreciation the LA music community has for them. The buzz from all my friends who've experienced the movie and the gig is unbelievable."

By Larry (209.245.66.133 - 209.245.66.133) on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 05:48 pm:

Bob,
Thanks for relaying this information. Nothing that's GOOD should ever be taken for granted. All that IS good should be noted. It's all coming together as it Should. You and all the others who guided and rode the wave of Motown and 60's soul should RELISH in all of this. Thankfully this Forum exists and is used for that reason. Bless You All, new friends and patriots!

Larry (getting off the pulpit) Rott

By TD (63.57.6.104 - 63.57.6.104) on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 10:11 pm:

I noticed a little piece on SITSOM in the recent Entertainment magizine about movies coming out in the fall
TD

By BassLand (64.165.226.90 - 64.165.226.90) on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 07:27 am:

Hi David & Soulful Detroit,

I sent you some photos from the Funk Brothers rehearsal and performance. Did you get them? I will be out of town (playing a gig in Mexico) this weekend so I will check-in Monday (or while in Mesico if I can find a computer LOL).

Still high off being in the presents of the Funk Brothers, Still sore from Babbitts bearhug (just kidding Bob, if you are listening)

BL

By David Meikle (213.123.47.250 - 213.123.47.250) on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 07:59 am:

Hi Bob

I will sort this out when I get home.

Thanks for sharing
David

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 01:06 pm:

Bob

Unfortunately the images have not arrived.

please send to david@soulfuldetroit.com

thanks
David

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 01:35 pm:

I just heard another rave review!

By chill (68.37.217.106 - 68.37.217.106) on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 11:22 am:

there was a piece in Variety that was a rave too.

the after-party performance was also amazing - Teena Marie, Ollie Woodson & Ron Tyson, Rick James, Gerald Levert and Mary Wilson all got up and sang with tha Funks.

BG was not able to attend but most of his staff and several ex-Motowners were there.