By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 05:44 pm:

I just heard from DeAnne James who was a very popular singer in the Detroit clubs in the 60's.Coincidentally, she was under contract to Ernstrat and managed by Ernie Stratton. Popcorn Wylie had written songsfor her.I have encouraged DeAnne to post here and anyone else who may be familiar with the Detroit club scene in the 60's. John Lester...be nice...DeAnne is a girl.

By John Lester (213.122.195.215 - 213.122.195.215) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 07:07 pm:

Ralph....

I am always nice...especially to YOU!! (tee hee)

By DeAnne James (24.234.119.126 - 24.234.119.126) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 07:09 pm:

I began singing with bands the summer of 1963, my first job was with The Eldorado's at the NorWest Lanes and Lounge. Members of that group incuded Skip Scobeck on bass, Norm Rae on Sax (later with Elvis) a guitar player who later formed "Frost" I believe...they were a great group. That fall I went to work with Randy Sea and The Valants at the Driftwood lounge. Members included Bob Sanderson, Tony Albo (I believe) and other great musicians. That fall, I was featured vocalist in many different bands, on different nights of the week. I was working my way through college at Wayne State University, and the schedule was hectic. I worked with Lou Taylor and The manhattan's on Michigan Avenue, Reno and The Blue Dalias at the Pullman, and in January I got a call from Ernie Stratton who told me that Dick Stanford and the Teenbeats needed a singer two days a week at the Grandale on Plymouth. I went to work there, and met George Sheehan, Dick Bossi, Milan Bogdan, Ron Truski, Guy Gillis, and Bill Hanatik. This group would later evolve into Terry and The Topics, with George (Terry) on drums and vocals. They moved to The Last Chance, and I moved on to sing with Smokey and The Flames, The Earl Palmer Trio, Lenny Shick, at places like The Top Hat, and Riveria in Windsor, Frank Gagens, , and short stints with Jack Rainwater and the Peppermints, and the Royaltones at The West Fort Tavern, and Roses. In 1965, we opened the Upper Deck at the Roosertail, and I had the most wonderful summer singing and relaxing outside by the Detroit River. I also worked on and off with George Young and the Youngsters at various clubs. I also worked at The Playhouse with McKinley Jackson and the Politians, and for those of you who remember, The Playhouse mysterious burned down one Sunday afternoon. I was signed for a short time with Golden World along with the Reflections, Judy and The Affections, etc. Later, got out of the contract and cut "Look at Me Mama" with Ernie. The flip side was written by Popcorn Wiley and was called "Love The Second Time". Ironically, Dawn (of Tony Orlando fame) sang backgroud on the record, and it received some airplay in the Northwest Area. Of course, I was able to do the Robin Seymore Show, Tom Shannon, and a couple of others at that time. Jammie Coe had just came out with a record at that time, and we got to know each other from doing the same shows. Of course, Jamie had the Gigilo's at the time, and was burning up the club scene in Detroit. In 1967, The Topics opened "The Side Door" inside the Dearborn Towne House, and it became the hottest spot in town for years. The Topics included so many wonderful musicians, it's hard to list them all but some included, Dennis and Dave Kovarik, Tommy Gargano, Al Watson, Dave Culp, Vic Olson, Bob Babbit, Al Serin, Buzzy Troia, George Troia, Ron Godo, Pete Kahn, Stuart Aptecar, Leo Rea, Bill Hnatik, George Sheehan and the list goes on. The Dearborn Townhouse later opened the club Upstairs that sat 800, and the lower club became "The Hotsey Totsey" topless room. Upstairs, we shared the bill with Sunday Night big bands, such as Harry James, Duke Ellington, and a list that was extremely impressive..(I would have to dig through my notes to remember them all). We also alternated bands with "Little Ruben" and some Canadian band that was excellent. The Townhouse on Michigan and Telegraph has since been demolished and is a car dealership. Meanwhile, the club scene in Detroit was hot with groups like Bob Seger, Tony and the Tartans, Tino and The Revelons, Mickey, and a ton of others. It seemed as though there was a club on every corner, and a band in every club. I have so many details of other bands and musicians that I worked with including Chuck Robinet, Johnny Trudell, Joe Vitale, Pete Parr, etc. etc. I could go on forever with stories about Joe Batheys, The Entertainers, after hours clubs, etc. This sure is fun.

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 07:20 pm:

WOW DeAnne....you sure stirred some memories with all the names. In the Tera Shira story I mention Roses. David once asked me where downtown it was located. Do you remember? Also I totally forgot that Milan Bogdan worked with you.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 07:24 pm:

well deanne, i hope you stay tuned because you are a mine of information.

some very interesting names in there, not least popcorn and mckinley jackson and the politicians.

welcome to the forum.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 07:51 pm:

DeAnne James

More trivia please - it's wonderful! I need to read your posting a few times for it to sink in!
And yes, it sure is fun....I cannot imagine a day without SoulfulDetroit! I boot the computer up, and log straight in. When I see the threads with new postings, I get excited like its a new toy to open. Thank you for saying hello!

Carl Dixon

By John Lester (213.122.204.179 - 213.122.204.179) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 09:56 pm:

DeAnne...

We are a nice batch here........maybe a bit eccentric but harmless enough.

Ralph reckons we are a bit scary but he ain't seen what we look like.....mind you, when he does, I think I am gonna have to agree with him!!! Ha ha

You were a busy girl....... I agree with Carl...you need to read a few times to let it all sink in.

Why only a short stint at Golden World?

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 09:00 am:

DeAnne

did you know Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent?? They maybe did backing vocals on Karate boo-ga-loo by Jerryo. The Sea Shells were also mentioned.

And Ralph, the sleeve note in the CD, says sessions were recorded at Tera Shirma or United with lots of scotch and whisky and 'attractive' young women!!

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 09:19 am:

DeAnne

I meant to mention, did you perform on any of those 'Boo-ga-loo' tracks??

ps - I am still reading your posting..again!

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 04:38 pm:

Carl,
Well I was always for a little scotch and attractive women.

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 05:40 pm:

DeAnne,

Welcome - and thanks for your very detailed
post.

Frost had two guitarists, Don Hartman and
Dick Wagner who was the founder of the group.
We were talking about Dick Wagner last week.

It certainly sounds like the Detroit club scene
was buzzing - please drop in again and share some
more of your memories.

By DeAnne (24.120.38.66 - 24.120.38.66) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 06:14 pm:

Dick Wagner was the guitar player I worked with in The El Dorados. He was a great help to me on my first job. We did duets like "Chains". Does anyone hear from him?

By Marilyn (67.217.183.215 - 67.217.183.215) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 07:38 pm:

Dick is up in Saginaw. He & Bob Dennis are doing things together.

By John Lester (213.122.195.128 - 213.122.195.128) on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 01:54 pm:

But doesn't Bob Dennis do teaching in Detroit....Julian on this board goes to his classes!


Maybe Saginaw is in Detroit..is it? I only know the song from General Johnson...the Saginaw County line. (guitar twang, twang, twang)

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.52.110 - 213.122.52.110) on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 02:51 pm:

saginaw is 100 miles north of the detroit river.

By DeAnne (24.234.119.126 - 24.234.119.126) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 10:32 pm:

Panorama was the local club magazine during the 60's. I just found about twenty or thirty of these publications from 1965-1968. Would you have an interest in any of the bands playing during that time? I noticed that "Britains Black Sheep were appearing in town did you know them? Anyway, there is a wealth of information on the club scene from McKinley Jackson to The Royal Jokers...let me know if there is an interest, and if you would like a list of bands or clubs,etc.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 01:18 am:

we are interested in mckinley jackson and the royal jokers for definite. also any other african american acts.

plus white artists copying the sound eg. the reflections.

i've given you a list of black clubs too deanne, which would interest us.

By bebopman (66.2.148.233 - 66.2.148.233) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 02:15 am:

I'm curious about McKinneley Jackson. Is he still in the music business. last I knew he was out west producing. I believe he and Mike Stokes have collaborated on some recent music. Is Zachary Slater still with McKinneley? The Politicians had a strong sound!

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 02:31 am:

hey bebopman

do you remember the clubs on 12th street?

By Clay McMurray (66.73.181.16 - 66.73.181.16) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 04:06 pm:

It never ends,
My 1st cousin Theron Hill was one of the lead singers in the Royal Jokers, they called him
T-Man. He lives just a few blocks from me and we talk often. He can still sing his *** off. My wife Pree, was appearing at the MGM Brown Derby awhile back and he came down and sang on one of her sets and the audience went nuts. I'm going to speak with him about coming onto the forum. I'm sure he's got some stories that will awaken an era that few of us hear remember. I remember sneaking
into a club called The Rage Show Bar on Davison
when I was 15yrs old,but tall for my age and watching him sing their biggest hit called"You Tickle Me Baby" my aunt his mother almost killed me for going to the club,but cooled out after T-Man told her he OK'ed it and was only there for 20 mins. I guess I was a music junkie way back and
found myself trying to write songs after seeing my older cousin on stage.

By Clay McMurray (66.73.181.16 - 66.73.181.16) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 04:11 pm:

Zack Slater is here in Detroit and playing locally with various groups. He's played drums at my studio on a couple of dates and still has his chops. I'm not sure about McKinley, I heard he was hear also, but I have'nt talk with him to date.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 04:27 pm:

clay

one of my favourite records is 'love game a-z' by the royal jokers which was released on wingate020.

arranged by the great joe hunter.

yes it would be nice to hear from t-man!

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 04:36 pm:

also it would be great to have his memories of the rage show bar which was at 2210 west davison.

it's on my 'entertainment venues' hit list and i'll be looking for it in april.

but there seems to be very little detail on clubs like the rage.

was it a single storey building? what size was it etc etc.

By DeAnne (24.234.119.126 - 24.234.119.126) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 04:39 pm:

The Royal Jokers I worked with were Noah, Raymond,Billy, and I can't remember the fourth member ..but it will come to me. This was 1968-1970, and they appeared every Monday night at the Dearborn townhouse.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 04:53 pm:

deanne
do you recall the location of the dearborn townhouse?

By DeAnne (24.234.119.126 - 24.234.119.126) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 05:51 pm:

David, I sent a message with info on the Townhouse about 15 minutes ago. Is this usual that it didn't post?? Do I need to write it again?

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 06:47 pm:

it is unusual deanne.

i'm sorry but you will have to try again.

thanks

By Ritchie Hardin (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 07:03 pm:

DeAnne

Here's a little trick you might want to try. I use it all the time on message boards (when I remember!)

After you've typed your posting into the "Add Message" box, and before you press Preview/Post.. With your mouse cursor still in the message box - press the Ctrl and A keys. This selects all of your message text.

Then press Ctrl and C. This copies your text into the clipboard.

Then, if your message somehow gets "lost" in posting, it's still on the clipboard for you to try posting again. You "paste" it again using Ctrl and V.

This saves having to type again from scratch what may have been a long message!

By DeAnne (24.234.119.126 - 24.234.119.126) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 07:05 pm:

The Dearborn Townehouse was loated on Telegraph just S. of Michigan Avenue. It opening in 1967 with the Side Door downstairs and The club Elegante (supperclub) on the middle floor...later (1969)the Side Door would be built on the top floor, and it would seat 800 people, and was packed every nite of the week. The bottom floor became the "Hotsy Totsy" room and would have topless bands, and topless dancers. Terry and The Topics were a kick ass 10 peice rock band, and I sang with them. Our horn section was so good that all the big groups that came through for one nite stands would steal them. Groups like Wayne Cocrane and the cc riders, and Blood Sweat and Tears, etc. We had over 40 musicians play with us over the ten years we spent there. Bob Babitt played with us at one point for about a year or two I think. The middle floor had Tommy Sanders and the Surf side Six and the Carlyle Sisters ( a great black trio) with their Uncle Vince on Trumpet. We all shared the same dressing room which was a kick. Many stories from the Townehouse....it was a wonderful time.

By Ian W (213.122.136.197 - 213.122.136.197) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 11:25 pm:

Hi DeAnne

I've got a bit of info on the Royal Jokers although I don't know the periods the following were in the band!

Noah Howell (baritone/tenor), Norman Thresher (baritone), Isaac Reese (bass), Henry Booth (tenor), Thearon Hill, Ted Green, Willie Jones, Billy Lyons, Raymond Dorsey, (The?) Stanley Mitchell.

Please tell us of Britain's Black Sheep. There was quite a mix of music styles on the Marquee label!

Ian

By DeAnne (24.234.119.126 - 24.234.119.126) on Monday, February 18, 2002 - 12:07 am:

I worked with Billy Lyons, Raymond Dorsey, Noah Howell and I believe Stanley. Tomorrow I am going to scan some pictures of McKinley, The Black Sheep, The Topics, etc. Thanks for the info on the Joker.

By acooolcat (211.78.0.219 - 211.78.0.219) on Monday, February 18, 2002 - 12:34 am:

I interviewed McKinley a few years ago in Detroit - where he was living. I don't think he was playing music anymore though - a great pity. A real gentleman.
Cheers, Graham