By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 03:42 pm:

Friday sees the first anniversary of SoulfulDetroit.

I'll be away for the weekend, from Friday afternoon, and thought I would post this in advance.

There have been many highlights.

I thought I would present a list, in alphabetical order, of music people from the Golden Era who contacted me by e-mail during that time.

Betty Lavette
Bob Babbitt
Bob d'Orleans
Bobby Eli
Cal Street
Clay McMurray
DeAnne Jaimes
Dennis Coffey
Ed Greene
Ed Wolfrum
Fats Gallon
Frances Nero
Fred Saxon
Fred Shockley Jr
George Troia
Jack Ashford
Jim Ellis
JoAnne Bratton & Ed Wingate
John Rhys
Ken Sands
Mike McLean
Mike Terry
Mike Theodore
Pete Rivera
Ralph Terrana
Ronn Matlock
Russ Terrana
Weldon McDougal 111

I hope you enjoy reading that list as much as I enjoyed typing it.

Many, many others contacted us all through the forum of course and that would make an equally long list.

I want to thank each and every one of them for giving SoulfulDetroit credibility.

I also want to thank everyone who has input to the site. Yes even those who got carried away....just like myself.

It's been a memorable year and again I thank wholeheartedly my colleague Lowell Boileau.

Lowell was on the receiving end of a chance-your-luck e-mail one November day in the year 2000.

Unstintingly, and without too much interest in the subject, Lowell has turned the site into something special.

Cheers Lowell and here's to the next 12 months!!!!

God bless Detroit!

pic courtesy ebay

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 03:45 pm:

By Common (209.2.55.112 - 209.2.55.112) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 03:48 pm:

What should one bring to the cyberparty to celebrate this momentous occasion? :o)

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 03:53 pm:

I like your frequent use of the word Peace!

Thanks Common

David

By Vickie (64.236.243.243 - 64.236.243.243) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 03:56 pm:

To David & Lowell,

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

You have brought many people together for many reasons known and unknown - we all have grown from this site through each other and from the music..Many of us have said hello to dear new friends, while others watched legends and friends pass on - the love of music makes us close.

Thanks for making it all possible..
Cyber beer for EVeRYONE with Cyber chips & dip..

Vickie
TammiProject@aol.com

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 04:05 pm:

Thanks Vickie

When Graham and I visited George McGregor and Barbara Mercer in September 2001, George looked wistfully as he said that the music of sixties Detroit had brought the races together.

I'll never forget him saying that.

From the guy who wrote Mr Soul Satisfaction.

By Common (209.2.55.115 - 209.2.55.115) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 05:06 pm:

Thanks David!

Vickki, you know us folks in the west are quite gluttonous. Cyberbeer & chips wouldn't do! LOL!

*running in with a big batch of cyberbuffalo wings*

Suddenly, I feel hungry!

:o)

Peace!

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 05:07 pm:

David,
Happy anniversary and congratulations to you and Lowell. You have done a wonderful thing bringing so many of us together in the name of music. You both should be very proud. I'm looking forward to the next year and anticipatng all that may come our way.

By Nish (128.239.47.104 - 128.239.47.104) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 05:31 pm:

Happy anniversary! God bless Detroit and all of the great artists who brought us the music of a lifetime!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80 - 64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 05:48 pm:

David & Lowell:
Congrats and happy anniversary to you and the Soulful Detroit Family. Let's keep the spirit going.
Peace, Blessings & Soul,
KevGo

By SisDetroit (67.26.11.102 - 67.26.11.102) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 05:57 pm:

(((David & Lowell))) Happy Anniversary!!! And "Thank you" for loving us, along with the known and unknown legends of Detroit. Thank you Ralph for stepping in when David needed you.
Sis

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4 - 209.100.86.4) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 05:58 pm:

The Soulful Detroit Forum displays what is good about the internet - bringing people together - who otherwise would not have any contact with each other. It's the ultimate, instantaneous, pen-pal club, which just a few years ago would not have been possible. I think it's a great service to many people. Thanks David & Lowell!
-Steve

By Ritchie Hardin (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 06:09 pm:

In a short time, this Forum has progressed in leaps and bounds - with only the occasional stumble. They say you have to walk before you can run, but Soulful Detroit came off the starting blocks at a sprint - a winner from the very beginning.

David and Lowell (and guardian angel Uncle Ralph) - we owe you.

By Millie (68.40.198.72 - 68.40.198.72) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 06:25 pm:

To David and Lowell,

Here's to another great year! Mazel Tov!!

Millie

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 06:26 pm:

Thanks to everyone.

More on the photo, especially for those who have not yet had the pleasure of visiting this still amazing city.

It was taken in the sixties and I know will bring back a lot of memories for Detroiters, especially the Hudson Building on the right.

Diane Ross worked in there as a young teenager BTW.

The centre of the pic shows Woodward running North. Towards the horizon, approx 4 miles away, you can see a slight grey colour. That is the magnificent Fisher building on West Grand Boulevard.

To the left, probably just off the left hand edge, is the site of Hitsville.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 06:29 pm:

Millie

I was reading about Armen Boladian an hour ago.

Thanks again for introducing us to this music legend and for making our arrival in Detroit so special last April.

Sincerely
David

By Millie (68.40.198.72 - 68.40.198.72) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 09:56 pm:

David,

It was my pleasure. Looking forward to seeing you again in May, and I'm sure Armen will be joining us as well!

Millie

By Mark Speck (64.158.96.193 - 64.158.96.193) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 11:57 pm:

A magnum of cyber-champagne and a wheel of aged cyber-Swiss for David, Lowell, and Ralph!

Thanks for providing such a wonderful, knowledgeable site and for hooking up us hopeless anoraks with those wonderful behind-the-scenes guys.

Many, many happy returns in the coming year, and may this site be blessed with more soul folk and their informative stories. God bless.

Best,

Mark

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 07:22 am:

David & Lowell

Congratulations on the first year of a wonderful informative web site. It is easy to navigate, great to look at and full great people who care enough to come on and communicate with the world. It has become one of my best friends I can count on my hand!

By Lowell (165.247.229.120 - 165.247.229.120) on Friday, October 04, 2002 - 07:22 pm:

Thank you all for your kind remarks and for making this site so great with your wonderful contributions to this forum, donations, and assistance. To celebrate the anniversary, we have now launched the Golden World Tour part 1. Enjoy.

My apologies for not finishing the transistion of the forum; the time and complexities involved have held me back, but rest assured that it will be back in its former self.

By MEL&THENSOME (195.219.7.32 - 195.219.7.32) on Friday, October 04, 2002 - 07:38 pm:

David,Lowell,Ralph and everyone connected with the hard work and effort that is and has been put into this site over the last 12months.Many congratulations on a remarkable and informative web site,heres to the next 12months and may it be trouble free.I Never in 30years of being on the rare/northern soul scene ever would of thought that one day,that I would actually get to correspond not only with Motown Legends but also to guys/gals associated to some of the records that started it all for me.One hell of a site,which (to me)is very addictive.Thanks to one and all.MEL.

By Clay (66.73.188.183 - 66.73.188.183) on Friday, October 04, 2002 - 07:57 pm:

David and Lowell
Thanks for creating a wonderful piece of highway for
all of the special music people to travel on without
having to stop for Gas LOL It's been great re-uniting
with so many old friends and the new ones we've encountered along the way. I hope that this will somehow become the New beginning for all of us who still got it going on and a country club for those that just want to chill.

By dowoplady (24.46.200.124 - 24.46.200.124) on Friday, October 04, 2002 - 09:42 pm:

Congratulations Soulful on your first anniversary! This is one of the FINEST music clubs of this genre on the net! Thanks to all those who are behind the scenes in making it all work! Although I'm not here every day, I visit here (at least) 3 times a week! Keep up the great work!

In harmony,

Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.32 - 195.219.7.32) on Friday, October 04, 2002 - 09:54 pm:

May I add 3 of my highlights since coming on this site.1/Talking to Mr.Ralph Terrana,to think when I first heard and bought,Milton Wrights The Gallop around 1972/73,that Id be talking to the guy that made this record possible(not forgetting Mr.Shirma as well.2/Talking to one of the most soundest guys Ive had the honour to talk with regards records that Ive had and still got(such asan all time classic,the 4 Larks and Grooving at the go-go)Mr.Weldon A. McDougal the third.And (thanks to Sis from Detroit)Having Mr.Ron Banks of The Dramatics actually acknowledgeing my piece regards another of my personnel all time rare/northern soul favourites,Inky Dinky,Wang Dang Doo.(Sis this actually blew me away and I am forever in your debt).MEL.

By LTLFTC (12.245.225.79 - 12.245.225.79) on Saturday, October 05, 2002 - 02:14 pm:

Congratulations on a wonderful first year. We are all deeply indebted to David , Lowell , Ralph and all the various contributors. This site has a one-of-a-kind feel to it ; I totally second Clay's last sentence above. Congrats on the Golden World webisode; I look forward to part two.
Steve K.

By TD (63.57.6.21 - 63.57.6.21) on Saturday, October 05, 2002 - 03:10 pm:

Congratulations on the one year anniversary of Soulful Detroit.
I have learned a great deal during the past 4 months that I have been on this site. It warms my heart to know there are many Motown Junkies out there who can never get enough information on the greatest music ever made. I appreciate the feed back that I have received from the greats i.e. Ralph, Marshall, Dennis C., Mike M. and of course Bob B.
I was in seventh heaven when Bob responded to my request to list his top Ten Motown songs and his top non-Motown songs,
I am looking forward to a great second year.
Any one want to second that emotion?

TD

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.83 - 195.219.7.83) on Saturday, October 05, 2002 - 03:44 pm:

TD,Without any hesitation mate,Ill second that emotion.MEL.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Saturday, October 05, 2002 - 05:55 pm:

Thirded!

By Sue (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Saturday, October 05, 2002 - 09:00 pm:

Thank goodness for Soulful Detroit, that we have an archive of all this information, and a place for people to talk about their love of Detroit music and Northern soul. Ne stravya ...

By Brian Chin NYC (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Saturday, October 05, 2002 - 09:22 pm:

Many thanks to you, Lowell and David, and all the posters here for a wonderful environment to share stories and facts and obsessions and trivia. This is just the best. Many more birthdays...

Chaka Khan once told me that she felt that jazz was like a beautiful woman and she hoped to touch the hem of her skirt sometimes...I had to agree, and any time that I've been so much as a handmaiden to the music we love, I've felt so privileged and I know everyone else here feels the same.

In love and music and friendship...

Brian

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.19 - 195.219.7.19) on Sunday, October 06, 2002 - 05:11 am:

How about a little mention for (oor wullie)or Davie Gordon.I Dont know how involved Davie is regards the general operation of things to do with the site,but hes always been around when Ive been on here.So Davie,nice to know that theres somebody there with some soulful knowledge, lurking and ready to hit us full on with the facts.(as well as other knowledgeble people).So Davie,cheers my son.From a sassenach 1/2 Gordon,MacMEL(andthensome).

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Sunday, October 06, 2002 - 10:52 am:

Mel,
I think everyone that has come to the forum has contributed to the success of Soulful Detroit. We really are the sum of our parts.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Sunday, October 06, 2002 - 01:43 pm:

The most frustrating part of the Golden World story is the lack of images in respect of it's key players Ed Wingate, JoAnne Bratton, Bob d'Orleans and Bob Hamilton (aka Rob Reeco).

So bear with me on that subject please.

BTW Lowell did a great job with the images.

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Sunday, October 06, 2002 - 02:48 pm:

The amazing part is that we all showed up, a sign of feeling sincerely welcomed. I can't thank everybody who put this amazing site together enough.

Bob

By Eli (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Sunday, October 13, 2002 - 01:53 am:

To David and Lowell...
What can I say!! From te first day that I stumbled onto this site on Thanksgiving of last year, I was mesmerized and blown away by the knowledge and detail of all of those involved. I reluctantly posted, not knowing whether anyone would know who I was.
I think that my first thread was called PHILLY DETROIT-O-PHILE.When I started to get many responses it truly was a wonderful Thanksgiving gift.Since then I was delighted to re connect with some of the very people who were part of my teenage years while visiting Detroit for the first time and actually playing the Twenty Grand and recording at Tera Shirma and meeting Mike Terry. I thought that I was dropped into the very gates of musical heaven, indeed.
Since then so much has happened both positive and not so positive but at the end of the day knowing that all of my friends of Soulful Detroit were right there made it all good, and that is good enough for me.

By Paulie 3 shoes (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Sunday, October 13, 2002 - 02:02 am:

Helo guise, Cent' Anni!!!
I havnt been on dis ting too long but I ben njoyin alla da infermayshun youse guise give me.
Wen I cum to dtown I will take alla youse to anyplace in East detroit at my ol hangouts an buy evry1 dinner on me.
I wish youse guise continued success and joy an I am looking 4ward to many enjoiable daze an nites wit sulfuldtroit??!!!
Cent" anni
Paulie (over here)