| Author | Message | ||
  Satipe (satipe) 2-Debutant Username: satipe Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.185.84.74 |
I thought that 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' was an incredible movie and I have even purchased it on DVD. One of the original musicians at Motown was Beans Bowles who played sax, flute, oboe, etc. and he told Berry to start a Motown Revue. Berry listened and in the end, it almost cost Beans his life as he was seriously hurt in a car accident during the first Motown Revue. Beans recovered and as an older musician, he advised Berry but when money became good and Beans spoke his mind, he was fired. I am wondering why Beans was not included in the 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' movie as he helped form Motown. He was a tour manager for every act, music arranger/writer for Stevie Wonder and 'Fingertips', band leader for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and others but his name seems to be forgotten. I knew Beans and he was the Grandpa I never had as we were close. I last spoke with him on Christmas Day 2000 and then I spoke at his funeral a few weeks later. I know Juice knows about Beans but do any of you others remember him? | ||
Ralph Terrana (ralph) Moderator Username: ralph Post Number: 456 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 209.240.205.63 |
Satipe, I knew Beans for many years. This particular subject has been discussed extensively on the forum in the past. Allen Slutsky explained that Beans was not included in the film because he felt a line had to be drawn somewhere to manage film content. Since the Funk Brothers ( rhythm section ) were the focus of the story it was decided to leave other earlier Motown luminaries out simply to keep the length of the movie manageable. This in no way trivializes Beans', and many others, contribution to the success of Motown. | ||
marv (marv) 3-Pundit Username: marv Post Number: 58 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Dr.Beans Bowles passed away several years ago. I was lucky enough to attend a concert celebration in honor of his birthday back in 1992 or 93 at the State Theater in Detroit. Stevie Wonder, Bettye Lavette, Martha and The Original Vandellas among others performed. | ||
marv (marv) 3-Pundit Username: marv Post Number: 59 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Here is a link to Dr. Bowles obituary. http://elvispelvis.com/thomasb owles.htm | ||
Chazz Dixon (voycecz) 1-Arriviste Username: voycecz Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Beans was the best. First man I ever saw wear hot pants. I don't know where that came from but it worked. Soon all the Miracles were in a HP outfit on stage. Trip! | ||
Robb_K (robb_k) 5-Doyen Username: robb_k Post Number: 405 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.232.135.110 |
Berry knew of Beans' great work with Robert West's productions in 1958 and 1959, and watched him do his thing on recording sessions for songs he wrote for Brian (t) Holland, Nancy Peters and others. He used him on some of his own 1959 productions. And, when he decided to form his own record company (label), he made sure to bring him in as one of his founding staff. Beans had a lot to do with the firm's early success. I hope he gets the credit he deserves, and is not forgotten. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1625 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Hey Satipe!!! Glad to see you talking about Beans here!!! Beans was quite interesting & I'm glad to hear more about him. I thank you for sharing your memories of Beans. Lately, I've been reading some books where he has been spoken about in the highest of regards!! As Robb says, he is definitely not forgotten. I feel that he definitely deserve more credit & ink!!! You have some great stories about Beans & I hope that you'll continue to share them  Peace always!!!! | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 466 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.224.120.244 |
I heard that he was called BEANS because he was very tall and lean...any truth to this story? | ||
Don (don) 6-Zenith Username: don Post Number: 557 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.61.223 |
Hi Satipe Don here, And you know how I felt about "Grandpa" Beans like so many do here at SD, because I'm one of them. Oh, by the way have you checked out The Blue Note Thread yet?? Don | ||
Don (don) 6-Zenith Username: don Post Number: 560 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.61.223 |
IMO that really made Motown like it was the reeds & brass in the bkgrd, you know. I think Motown had enough "Bottom" and was produced reaaly good, but not enough "Top" where they've should have been there, at least sometimes. | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 2-Debutant Username: jim_g Post Number: 20 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
LadyMystique...yeah, 'Stringbeans' was the full name, he was long and skinny. robb_k, actually Berry knew of Beans before 58/59...Beans was in Maurice King's Wolverines at the Flame Show Bar, where Berry hung out. My bio of Maurice King includes quotes from Beans: www.detroitmusichistory.com | ||
Ron Murphy (ron_murphy) 4-Laureate Username: ron_murphy Post Number: 100 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.42.90.140 |
can't forget Mr. Bowles... he was a big factor in Motown's early productions, not only doing arrangments but playing Flute on the first release and top 30 national hit of Marv Johnson's "Come To Me"(Tamla 101 also on United Artists 160) and the Sax featured instrument on "The Snake Walk" (Tamla 54024) as The Swinging Tigers | ||
Ed Golick (ed_golick) 1-Arriviste Username: ed_golick Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 68.42.154.241 |
Got to work with Beans Bowles as well as Hank Cosby in Kim Weston's Summer Festival youth program. Some of the best times I've ever had. | ||
Satipe (satipe) 2-Debutant Username: satipe Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.185.84.74 |
Beans came to visit me in Toronto a few months before he died. He was in a wheelchair and I could not drive that thing for the world as I was bumping into doors, walls, etc. and we had a great laugh about that. I wish I own a scanner as I have the greatest photo of him in a tux, bowler cap, cane and his oboe laughing away while standing on a road. He was doing a picture shoot for an event for him at the Fox so I asked him why he is laughing so hard as I thought the photographer told a joke. Beans told me he started to laugh because it was below zero, his hand had frozen to the oboe and his nuts had turned to ice cubes. It was very rare for the two of us to ever talk Motown as his true love was jazz, the Greystone Ballroom, Illinois Jaquet and jazz ensembles. I would go to his home on Gratiot Ave. in Detroit and he had the biggest record collection I have ever seen but he would play jazz for me and talk about the beats. When we did talk Motown, he loved the mind and music of Marvin Gaye as he said he went in late one night to play flute on "What's Goin On". Beans' funeral was one I wish I could have as it was music and fond memories. He was dressed in his favorite red suit with flowers all around him and a Dixie Land Jazz Band playing music that was somber at first but then uplifting. I had the honour of speaking at his funeral but mine was not the best speech as that went to Stevie Wonder. He made us all laugh when he talked about Beans telling him that he smelled funky so Stevie thought that meant his crotch smelled when Beans actually meant his armpits. Stevie had someone buy some Old Spice and he poured it down his pants which then made him hit notes that he credits to Beans to this day. Thanks for everyone posting and talking about Beans. I really do miss him. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1767 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Hi Satipe, Now that's what I'm talking about!! Brother, I'm sure glad that you're givng everyone some more insight & information about Beans. Like I said, your words & memories help to keep Beans alive. You really do him proud. | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 2-Debutant Username: jim_g Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
...and don't forget the band playing at his gravesite, "Oh didn't he ramble", it was a touching service indeed. I remember Stevie Wonder playing John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" and everyone's jaw dropped because he played it FAST and it really swung and it is an extremely difficult composition. We all remember Beans for his Motown stuff (at least most people on this site do) but let us not forget his work with Bill Doggett - Beans worked with Doggett in 1957/58 and is on several King recs. Also Beans has some good solos with Maurice King's band, e.g., "Make Love To Me". Beans played alto, too, but the few times I heard him he sounded kinda rusty - not enough chances to play it on gigs I guess. | ||
Ron Murphy (ron_murphy) 4-Laureate Username: ron_murphy Post Number: 102 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.42.90.140 |
 here's a nice photo of Thomas "Stringbeans" Bowles taken in 1957/58 in the basement of the flame Showbar shown L-R Willie Bryant,Beans Bowles and George Gordy. I scanned this photo from "The Story Of Motown" written by Peter Benjaminson which was the first book and in my opinion still the best. | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 470 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.224.120.244 |
Oh ok cool... Did he play the sax on most of the Supremes records between 1964-1966? | ||
Satipe (satipe) 2-Debutant Username: satipe Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.185.84.74 |
Ron, I have never seen this photo and he looks so much like his son Dennis here. The smile never changed. | ||
isaiah imani (isaiah) 3-Pundit Username: isaiah Post Number: 51 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 66.119.33.135 |
Satipe(Tim), I have heard many great things about this man, as well, and I am sorry to hear of his final days being as they were... In fact, I am sick and tired of the commonality of such stories, so much so that I try to avoid reading them... Have you ever heard of the great Afro Cuban Tres player, Arsenio Rodriguez??? Well, longstoryshort, he is the man most responsible for the sound we know as SALSA, because he brought African percussion into a music done mainly in brass and strings... Read his bio if you get a chance... He, like Ray and Stevie, was blind and genius personified, but he died broke,alone, and forgotten out in Los Angeles in the '60's... This sort of story is far too common... That is why I don't get on the young turks too much... I hope they can get all they can get, and save some some for that day when their records stop selling, and no one says their name anymore... Thank you for presenting the story of Mr. Thomas "Beans" Bowles, and bringing him to life at SDF... Peace! Isaiah | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1950 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Hey Satipe!!! Ah brother......isn't it about time for another one of your Beans stories??? I know that you're busy Bro, but you're slippin' just a wee bit partner! Come on with it | ||
Uptight (uptight) 4-Laureate Username: uptight Post Number: 116 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.55.211.50 |
Beans was the nicest, coolest cat. | ||
Satipe (satipe) 3-Pundit Username: satipe Post Number: 35 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.185.84.74 |
Isaiah, No I have not ever heard of Arsenio Rodriguez so I have some research and reading to do. It is okay to be bitter about the fates of friends and musicians but if I can suggest to you to not avoid the posts and read them as you can learn. If I avoided your post, I would never have learned about Arsenio and I can honestly say that I look forward to reading about him. Juicefree, When Beans came to visit some of 'my schools and kids', he made me laugh when he went into a Grade 6 class that had pet rabbits and rats. He spoke to the kids about Michael Jackson and then there was some 'free time' so he mingled and one student asked if he wanted to hold a rabbit but he declined. When we left the room, I asked Beans if he did not like animals and he answered, "I just don't like animals that might sh*t on me." | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 613 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.33.227.92 |
Hey...Did he play the sax on most of the Supremes records between 1964-1966? On that link, it only mentions that he was the sax solo on BABY LOVE. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1958 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
What's up Satipe!!! Keep 'em coming bro, keep 'em coming | ||
Satipe (satipe) 3-Pundit Username: satipe Post Number: 38 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.185.84.74 |
Beans played baritone sax and his most notable 'solo' would be on Heatwave by Martha Reeves. Juice, I will. Thank you for interest in Beans. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1961 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Hey Satipe, No thanks to me brother. That's what you're here to do. I just like to see that you're helping to bring Beans to life, for all who didn't know him. Thank you | ||
isaiah imani (isaiah) 3-Pundit Username: isaiah Post Number: 53 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 66.119.33.135 |
While you are at it, Tim, keep us all abreast of the fine work you do with the children... In my humble opinion, the work you do in inspiring the children to greater heights is more noble than anything we could ever attribute to most of the artists we discuss... Your selflessness, conscientiousness, and determination to make a difference in this, and their, world, should be commended at every chance, brother... Keep up your magnificent work... Peace! Isaiah | ||
Don (don) 6-Zenith Username: don Post Number: 643 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.189.84 |
Satipe, those are some halarious funny stories Ol Beans shoulda been a comic. Don |
