By phillysoulman (152.163.204.178 - 152.163.204.178) on Friday, December 21, 2001 - 08:27 pm:

ITS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR NOW SINCE THE PASSING OF MUSIC LEGEND LEBARON TAYLOR. HE WAS A CLOSE ACQUAINTANCE OF MINE.
AFTER LEAVING DETROIT IN 1970 HE RELOCATED TO THE PHILADELPHIA AREA WHERE HE LANDED A RADIO GIG AT W D A S WHERE HE WAS AN ON AIR D.J. AND ASSOCIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR. EARLY IN 1972 HE TOOK A V.P. OF A&R POSITION AT ATLANTIC RECORDS IN N.Y.C. HE LIVED NEAR PHILLY BUT HE COMMUTED TO N.Y.C. WHILE AT AT ATLANTIC HE PURCHASED THE MASTER OF A SONG WHICH I HAD PRODUCED CALLED "GOT TO GET YOU BACK" BY THE SONS OF ROBINSTONE.
HE THEN FORMED A PRODUCTION TEAM WITH BUNNY SIGLER,PHIL HURTT AND TONY BELL CALLED THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHERE THEY PRODUCED THE FIRST SISTER SLEDGE RECORDS, R.B. GREAVES AND SOME MORE THAT I CANT SEEM TO REMEMBER. ALL OF THESE SESSIONS WERE DONE AT SIGMA.
EARLY IN 1974 HE WAS OFFERED A POSITION AT C.B.S. IN N.Y.C. TO RUN THEIR NEWLY FORMED BLACK MUSIC MARKETING DIVISION. THROUGH HIS GUIDANCE , C.B.S. BECAME A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE BLACK MUSIC FIELD OF WHICH THEY HAVE NOT BEEN UP UNTIL THEN STARTING WITH THE SIGNING OF EARTH WIND AND FIRE, THE JACKSONS,THE MANHATTANS, AND THE LIST GOES ON.
IN 1976 HE PURCHASED A HOME JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM ME IN NEW JERSEY WHERE I HAD RECENTLY BUILT A NEW HOME.HE PURCHASED IT FROM PHIL HURTT.
ONE DAY HE SID TO ME," BOBBY COME INTO MY GARAGE I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING"
ALL OF A SUDDEN RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES WERE ALL OF THE REVILOT MASTERS INCLUDING FOUR TRACK AND STEREO AND MONO MASTERS.
I EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO DO REMIXES ON THEM BUT NOTHING EVER BECAME OF IT AND I DONT KNOW WHAT BECAME OF THEM. THEY WERE ALL THERE FROM DARREL BANKS TO THE PARLIAMENTS,YOU NAME IT.
BEING A DETROITOPHILE I ALMOST HAD AN ORGASM!!!
WHEN THE JACKSONS RECORDED IN PHILLY LEBARON AND MYSELF WENT TO THE AIRPORT IN BOTH OF OUR CARS AND PICKED THEM UP AND TOOK THEM STRAIGHT TO LEBARONS' HOME WHERE THEY HAD A WELCOMING PARTY.
MICHAEL OF COURSE WAS ELUSIVE AND KEPT RUNNING UPSTAIRS TO PLAY WITH LEBARONS' YOUNG KIDS.
ANYWAY, LEBARON WENT ON TO REACH GREAT HEIGHTS AT
C.B.S. WHICH IN 1989 WAS PURCHASED BY SONY.
LEBARON THEN MOVD FURETHE UP THE LADDER TO A LOFTY CORPORATE POSITION.
HE PASSED AWAY IN HIS OFFICE AT SONY.
R.I.P. LEBARON


BOBBY ELI 12/21/01

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.4 - 62.252.128.4) on Friday, December 21, 2001 - 09:00 pm:

bobby

the urban myth about lebaron is that the revilot label name was his true surname spelled backwards ie. toliver.

there was no mention of such in his obituary.

he's also another guy who's photograph i've never seen.

it's fantastic that you're into this at our level.

By phillysoulman (205.188.199.37 - 205.188.199.37) on Friday, December 21, 2001 - 10:29 pm:

DAVID,

TAYLOR WAS HIS REAL SURNAME.I HAVE SEEN TOO MUCH CORRESPONDANCE TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE. THERE WAS A RADIO D.J. NAMED LYNN TOLLIVER. IT COULD BE THAT MAYBE HE WAS INVOLVED AND USED HIS NAME BACKWARDS FOR SOME KIND OF SILENT PARTNER DEAL BUT I DONT KNOW FOR SURE. WHEN WE WERE NEIGHBORS LEBARON AND HIS FAMILY AND MY WIFE AND I SPENT QUITE ALOT TIME TOGETHER ESPECIALLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS. I DO BELIEVE THOUGH THAT LEBARON WAS HIS MIDDLE NAME AND HIS FIRST NAME MIGHT HAVE BEEN HAROLD BUT NO ONE EVER CALLED HIM THAT NAME. WHEN HIS WIFES' MOTHER PASSED ON ,MY WIFE ACCOMPANIED MRS TAYLOR TO DETROIT TO TAKE CARE OF THE DETAILS.UNFORTUNATELY BOTH OF OUR SPOUSES ARE GONE. I WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF OTHER DEVELOPMENTS JUST AS SOON AS I CAN.


CHEERS!!! BOBBY ELI

By phillysoulman (205.188.199.37 - 205.188.199.37) on Friday, December 21, 2001 - 10:34 pm:

DAVID,


I DO HAVE PHOTOS OF LEBARON JUST AS SOON AS I CAN FIND THEM I WILL SEND THEM TO YOU.
ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO DO A SOULFUL PHILADELPHIA PAGE. IS THIS POSSIBLE.


BOBBY ELI

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 06:42 am:

I have a pic' of Lebaron from the Michigan Chronicle - he used to DJ at the 20 Grand and other clubs in Detroit during the mid-60s. As you say - his first name was in fact Harold.
He started DJing on WCHJ and WJLB, and formed Solid Hitbound Productions with George White, a manager at the station. Producer Don Davis was also a partner.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.4 - 62.252.128.4) on Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 06:32 pm:

hi bobby thanks for offering lebaron photographs,
that would be so interesting.

regarding a soulful philadelphia webpage - assuming you mean on this site - unfortunately we need to stick to the original remit of detroit only.

this project has just begun. it will never be complete, such is the volume of detail associated with this great city. as a result a single page on philly would soon be 'lost'.

i think a better solution would be to seek out one of those free web site/space providers. the philly story must be massive too and from what i've seen of your memoirs so far, you would be the ideal person to go about it.

if you need more info on such a medium let me know and i will speak to someone who has gone down that road.

sorry, david.

By phillysoulman (64.12.105.46 - 64.12.105.46) on Sunday, December 23, 2001 - 09:24 am:

DAVID,

I WASN'T SPEAKING ABOUT A PHILLY PAGE FOR THIS SITE. I HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT DOING A PHILLY SITE IN A SIMILAR FORMAT.
FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE PHILLY PLAYERS OTHER THAN GAMBLE AND HUFF AND SIGMA SOUND HAVE NVER BEEN GLORIFIED AND BEEN GIVEN THEIR JUST DUE.
PHILLY HAS A RICH R&B HISTORY WITH MANY RECORDINGS THAT ARE MUCH MORE GRITTIER THAN ANY G&H RECORDING.THERE ARE SO MANY MUSICIANS, PRODUCERS ,SONGWRITERS,ARRANGERS SINGERS STUDIOS,LABELS,VENUES, THAT IT IS MIND BOGGLING AS IS THERE WERE IN DETROIT. I HAVE COUNTLESS PHOTOS AND MEMORABILIA THAT IT IS STAGGERING.
MORE THAN LIKELY I WILL DO A DETAILED BOOK ON THE SUBJECT FOR I DO HAVE A LOT TO SAY.
BY THE WAY ON THE SUBJECT OF DETROIT STUDIOS HOW COME PAC 3 WAS NEVER MENTIONED .THAY DID A LOT OF WESTBOUND STUFF AS WELL.

CHEERS!!!! BOBBY ELI 12/23/01

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.4 - 62.252.128.4) on Sunday, December 23, 2001 - 12:45 pm:

i had an 80 page site ready to roll at launch date.

as it happens we stuck with 30.

pac3 is in amongst the other 50 as is artie fields, labeat, dynamics, master, the pig pen etc etc.

i think it's better to upload now and again rather than all-in-one.

anyway i feel a reorganisation coming up already.

i need to split it into 5 sections - studios/record companies/entertainment centres/webisodes/other.

i also need to sort out the map in the same format, i think.

i thought the map would be the item most commented on, but nobody's mentioned it. boo hoo.

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Sunday, December 23, 2001 - 03:37 pm:

David
The map is cool. sorry it isn't getting it's propers. More than likely, because the entire Detroit site is so well done, it is just a part of the wonderful whole. I have used the map several times when showing friends around Detroit.

By Greg (24.189.12.157 - 24.189.12.157) on Monday, December 24, 2001 - 01:17 am:

There was a memorial service for Lebaron Taylor given by Sony last year in New York. I attended and was able to see and hear some terrific things about the man from many people who knew him through the years. Unfortunately, there were very few people who talked about his days in Detroit and although his DJing was mentioned, Revilot was never mentioned.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Saturday, January 26, 2002 - 11:23 am:

I must show my ignorance again. A recently purchased cd, with 'Our love is in the pocket' by J J Barnes shows a 'Lebaron Taylor' production via Revilot/Groovesville Music. I have known of the song before, but not by J J. And it's great........ However, I note the following, but could be wrong. It possibly features Mike Terry on Sax, or should I say, I bet my life if features Mr Terry and maybe some other Motown musicians. I would say Jamerson is not on the session and the drumming, I am not sure! The backing vocals are so sophisticated. However, on the same cd is 'Guys from Uncle' playing 'The Spy'! I detect this is a Philly track as it was co-written and produced by Richard Barrett. The opening Hi-hat sequence has to have inspired �Shaft�! Over to you Bobby Eli!! (On the same CD there is 'Put that woman Down' by John Leach, another Barrett production and 'Never too young to fall in Love' by the Modern Redcaps which is also co written by Barret/Tindley/Johnson! I would say it's George Tindley of 'Pity the poor Man (?)' fame and General Johnson of 'Chairman of the Board fame??)

Thanks
Carl Dixon

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 07:41 pm:

Carl,

The Modern Red Caps - yes it's that George Tindley

Tindley started out with the Dreams back in '53
- made two solo singles for Ember under the name
"Kenny Esquire" - joined Steve Gibson and the Red
Caps who eventually evolved into the Modern Red
Caps.

The "Johnson" in the credits is General Norman
Johnson - the Showmen were siggned to Swan at the time and the General's name crops up in the writer credits for many Swan releases including
some singles by Sheila Ferguson.

"Put That Woman Down" by John Leach - that's
a great track.

By phillysoulman (205.188.192.24 - 205.188.192.24) on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 10:14 pm:

HEY DAVEY, YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR STUFF.
I MUST COMMEND YOU. UNFORTUNATELY, GEORGE PASSED ON ABOUT FIVE YEAES AGO FROM BAD KIDNEYS.
HE WAS QUITE THE BON VIVANT PLAYER TYPE OF GUY AND HAD A WAY WITH THE LADIES. HE ALLEGEDLY HAD LADIES "WORKING FOR HIM" ON THE ROAD.
HE ALSO HAD A MODERN FLAMINGOS GROUP BUT I DON'T THINK THEY RECOREDE UNDER THAT NAME. HE WAS QUITE THE CHARACTER AND A GOOD FRIEND.

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 07:12 pm:

Thanks Bobby - you'll find that there are
a lot of people over here who love 60's soul
from Philly, Chicago and everywhere else.

The names I saw on the singles I was buying then always fascinated me so much that I wanted to know more and more about who was behind those records. After listening to the stuff for 35
years I've ended up with a brain stuffed with trivia and it's great to have this forum to
share it.

Sad to hear of George Tindley's death but good
to know that he enjoyed his life. I loved his
version of "Ain't That Peculiar" - did you have
anything to do with that one ?

By phillysoulman (152.163.205.83 - 152.163.205.83) on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 07:22 pm:

HI DAVIE,

I WAS INVOLVED WITH ALL OF HIS WAND STUFF. WERE YOU AWARE THAT HE HAS AN EXTREMELY RARE 45 ON PARKWAY CALLED "FAIRY TALES" IT WAS VERY EARLY SIXTIES. INCIDENTALLY, I MAY BE COMING BVACK TO LONDON THIS SUMMER SO I WILL LOOK UP EVERYONE ON THE FORUM.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 07:48 pm:

Thank you Davie

I am speechless! Keep sharing the trivia, it's invaluable. And I share the same fascination of writers and producers on records as you. These regular 'patterns' crop up so many times. If you see their names, just buy the record! It's bound to be good. I had not realised how much I do not know until I came across this forum. However, I am not to old to learn and am still waiting for something to be mentioned that I can impress with - ha ha! Bobby, does that mean 'Ain't that peculiar' was recorded in that studio in New Jersey or Philly?

Thanks

Carl

By phillysoulman (152.163.194.214 - 152.163.194.214) on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 11:57 pm:

CARL, AINT THAT PECULIAR WAS EARLY SIGMA, ON THE OLD VALVE DESK THAT WARMED UP THE CONTROL ROOM IN WINTER!!! THE VALVES WERE EXPOSED IN THE BACK. THAT WAS BEFORE MY "ELECTRONIC SCROTUM" IDEA.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 07:57 am:

I think you should mention the 'scrotum' contraption at some stage. I wonder whether any such device existed in Detroit. I remember at work one day, I took a piece of red string from a carrier bag handle that some commercials had been delivered in. I cut it to a length of an audio cable and literally screwed 2 post office audio jacks to each end and hung it up. Later I watched somebody patch it and try and work out why there was no audio going through it.

Carl

By John Lester (213.1.136.252 - 213.1.136.252) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 08:11 am:

Buying records by the same people is how my collecting started....

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 08:15 am:

Agreed - I remember it all happening. It was in the Hull market flicking through the 45's. There is a knack of identifying the label, then the font, then song title/artist and most important writers and producers. I knew I would be buying it if it was in my hand and I turned to read the 'b' side. Sometimes I would even look at the grooves to see the 'activity' there.

By John Lester (213.1.136.252 - 213.1.136.252) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 08:17 am:

Buying records by the same people is how my collecting started....

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 08:24 am:

You could tell if it was 'Stateside', 'Mojo', 'Tamla Motown' it would be straight out in your hand for scrutinising. At that stage I was not so familiar with imports and began that learning curve in 1973. I remember seeing a batch of stuff on 'Colossus', including 'Pick up my Toys' by Devonnes. They were 10p each. Luckily I bought that and another by a group called 'The Mob'.

By Ritchie Hardin (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 09:22 am:

My own collection was given a major boost in 1974 when a deejay friend of mine offered me all of his 45s at a bargain price. There were about 500 singles, about 50% of which were UK pressings, and many were DJ promo issues.

I added those to a large collection of singles and EPs I "inherited" from the studio I was working for. (They weren't interested in the Soul content, so they foolishly said: "help yourself!") They had bought the collection from Granada TV, and it consisted of all the promotional singles sent to Johnny Hamp, head of Light Entertainment at the company throughout the sixties. I happily "helped myself" to all the TMG's, all the Soul Supply, all the Columbia (a load of Major Lance promos), Edwin Starr on Polydor, the Soul stuff on Track, the O'Jays on Liberty, the Impressions on HMV.... an absolute goldmine!

You'll note that all of this is in the past tense. Sadly, I hit upon desperate times in the late 70s through no fault of my own, and had to sell the whole lot just to survive. Even sadder, I sold them to a dealer who knew nothing about Soul (we was a Rock'n'Roll collector!) so he really short-changed me on their value. "Not very well-known artists - are they?" was his sneering comment! When I explained they were Soul records he replied - "not much call for that sort of thing in the collectors' market..."

Years later, I discovered that they had been sold for about 30 pence each (about $0.42) on a stall in Bury market (North Manchester). Most went to grateful local collectors, who disagreed that they were "not very well-known"! Many of these were guys I knew personally, so at least I had the small comfort that they found a good home afer they left the hands of the Philistine.

Today, I don't like to think about what I "lost" - if I did, I'd probably flood the house with my tears.

--Ritchie---

PS - Carl, I had the Mob 45 too - I Dig Everything About You, wasn't it? They were a white group, and their album was great too. (Now where the hell did THAT one go...?)

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.7.49.115 - 62.7.49.115) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 11:06 am:

i've got a 45 by them somewhere by the name 'give it to me' (i think).

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 11:23 am:

That is a sad story Ritchie - You must have serious regrets. Luckily I have never sold any of my stuff, but it does need an overhaul. I need to get some sleeves to replace the torn and damaged ones. It looks like these records have amazing stories to tell on this side of the Atlantic too.

The 'Colossus' stuff I have is: The Mob/Give it to me, The Festivals/You're gonna make it (arranged by Johnny Pate - great),Jerry Ross Symposium/Oh to have Been and the Devonnes one I mentioned earlier. I did not know The Mob were white! Whilst looking through my singles I found Detroit things I had forgotten about like: Mrs Percy please have mercy/Feel like summers coming on by Jimmy Delphs, Together, we shall overcome/The Magic Tones on MAH'S,(Think of) the times we had together/Sam Bowie and the Blue Feelings on Wingate, Somebody's been sleeping/100 proof aged in Soul on Hot Wax.

And here is one to make Bobby Eli's tongue hang out: Mother Nature by Executive Suite on Jubilee, which he co-wrote! One of those 'Double Diamond' productions Bobby, but with no date on the label. Was that you chopping at the beginning? I always liked 'Christine', the other side which is probably the 'A' side anyway. Is that Vince Montana on vibes on that one? I'm playing it now and still love it! Just when you thought I was going to shut up, I found: Let's do it now/Sons of Robin Stone, I love you baby/Cindy Scott, Mission Impossible/Soul Survivors, The Slow Fizz/The Sapphires, Spinning Top/Moving Violations and my BEACON green label copy of 'Ain�t nothing but a houseparty' by The Showstoppers. The reason I mention this, is because it sounds very Detroitish, but despite the label saying 'made in England', the run out grooves quite clearly reveal a 'Frankford/Wayne' pressing in Philadelphia! So I guess Mr Samuel liked what he heard in Philly and got it pressed there and then! And finally Joey Heatherton/When you call me baby on MCA. It was written by White/Madara/Huff/Barry, but directed by Jimmy Wisner. I guess it was Philly, but could be New York?? I have strayed a bit - oops!

Carl

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.7.111.225 - 62.7.111.225) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 01:19 pm:

i love the executive suite's 'when the fuel runs out'

the flip of 'houseparty' is amazing - 'what can a man do?'

By phillysoulman (64.12.104.33 - 64.12.104.33) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 02:52 pm:

HI CARL,

ACTUALLY "CHRISTINE" IS THE A SIDE.
DARYL HALL CO-WROTE IT. I ARRANGED IT.
AT THE SESSION, THE SECOND LEAD DID NOT SHOW UP SO ON " LET ME PUT YOUR BODY NEXT TO MINE" AND THOSE SUBSEQUENT PARTS, DARYL SANG THEM!!
ON MOTHER NATURE I WAS SCRATCHING AWAY. THERE IS ALSO A VERSION BY THE MOODS, I BELIEVE ON WAND.
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT JAMES BOUNTY? IT WAS ON RED DOG.
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT URANUS RECORDS. THERE SLOGAN WAS GOOD THINGS COME FROM URANUS!!
I THINK I WILL DO AN ELECTRONIC POST.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 02:59 pm:

Excellent - It is a very unusual record to say the least. I bought that in 1974, without hearing it. Like I say, all those names meant it was worth the risk. I am not to familiar with James Bounty. You mentioned it before and I had a scout around the Internet along with this 'Four Vandals' caper that's going on over here at the moment! As for Uranus Records -well, that is a mouthful!

David - I do not know that other Executive Suite track and yes I have played that flip side of The Showstoppers too!

Carl

By John Lester (213.122.191.237 - 213.122.191.237) on Tuesday, January 29, 2002 - 03:30 pm:

I bought the Showstoppers before it hit big in the UK..it was a red and white label....and the follow up was a classic too..."Shake your mini"....where do they dream these titles up from!!

I thought that Houseparty was Thom Bell as a youngster. Is that wrong.

Why dont they make records like that anymore?

By DAvie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 07:46 pm:

Hi Gang,

Bobby,

Re James Bounty - would that be "Auction On LOve"?
i've got that on a cd - great great track which I
couldn't stop playing.

Re Daryll Hall - oddly enough I picked up a Germsn
CD by his first group The Temptones made up of their two Arctic singles plus various demos and some acapella rehearsal tapes. To be honest it's just too much to take at one sitting but it's very
enjoyable in small doses. I'd swear that Paul
Williams of the Temps is singing on the rehearsal
tapes - there's some nice photos of the Temptones
and the Temptations together after some gig in Philly,

John,

The Showstoppers - if I remember correctly the
guy who was credited with producing "Houseparty"
was Bruce Weinroth who as far as I know was never heard made another record. The guitarist on the session was John Fitch who later turned up in the seventies writing for Evelyn King - I think the brilliant "Shame" was one of his.

By EricH. (64.12.102.156 - 64.12.102.156) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 08:24 am:

PAC3 is still standing at least, the building is well maintained- no clue if it is still a studio (it's a couple miles from my house).I'll have to investigate, before I regret it. Where was/is Artie Fields' studio? All I know of that was done there was the MC5's 'High Time'

By EricH. (152.163.204.58 - 152.163.204.58) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 06:47 pm:

I should add that PAC3 is still in buisness (or at least still in the Yellow Pages, as is United Sound, for what it's worth). Artie Fields himself has had a succesful career doing advert. jingles & I think he ran for political office recently. Didn't P-Funk do a bit of work w/him?

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 07:00 pm:

sorry eric i meant to get back to you yesterday.

graham and i were lucky enough to meet richard becker in september.

he showed us around his original studio which is basically a storeroom these days.

we also saw his new studio which is in another building across the yard.

it looked superb inside.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 07:06 pm:

just confirming that the above pic is the original pac3 studio.

artie fields was at 9430 woodward, now demolished.

artie bought it from the owners of the alhambra theater in the mid sixties. the alhambra was a 1400 seat theater. it was then converted into artie fields productions.

a number of westbound recordings were made there.

he is now very friendly with ed wolfrum (united sound's engineer).

By phillysoulman (64.12.101.182 - 64.12.101.182) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 07:30 pm:

Great stuff and great history. It just goes to show you that aesthetics should not come into play when considering making great recordings. As you know , some of the greatest hits in soul, as well as country and gospel history were made in "makeshift" environments.
Every time I talk to people who recommend using a particular studio based on how it it looks and the non-musical amenities which it posseses i.e., a hot tub, a sauna, basketball court, pool room etc., i say "What the f**k does that have to do with the music and it's integrity'???
Give me a s**thole any day!!!!!

By Ralph terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 07:49 pm:

David,
I think Pac 3 is stll operating. I'm pretty sure Mike Theodore has been recording there lately. I was only there once. A long time ago when the first opened.I was still with the Sunliners I think. I remember on the wall in the control room was a photo of Berry Gordy with some sort of note underneath it warning him that he was now in trouble. Yeah right!!! I give them credit though for hanging in there all these years.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 08:22 pm:

yes, the newer studio is still operating.

as you look at this photo, to my left and flush with that building on the left, is where his latest studio sits.

i'm not sure how old it is.

By Vinnie Barrett (205.188.200.58 - 205.188.200.58) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 04:32 am:

I too am saddened at the passing of Lebaron Taylor. He passed away in his office doing what he loved best. When I first started working with Thom Bell on the Spinners "One of a kind" album, Lebaron came to Washington and I invited him over to fish dinner with my family. I played for him and we all went out for ice cream at the famed Gifford's ice cream parlour. Since then, I've seen him a number of times at Bobby's and whenever there was a CBS/SONY affair, he would always send me tickets. He was a real genuine person.
God Bless his family.