| Author | Message | ||
  ~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 407 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.250.97.207 |
I never really knew much about Tony Hester, except he wrote songs for the Dramatics. Another Guy I didn't know much about was Charles Stepney, who wrote for Earth Wind & Fire. I believe they both have passed on. Anyone have any Bio or Info on these great song writers? (Message edited by ~medusa on August 04, 2004) | ||
Manny (manny) 5-Doyen Username: manny Post Number: 311 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.52.187 |
Hello Submarine! My favorite Dramatics album, "Drama V" is predominantly write by Tony Hester! I have seen some songwriting credits where appears the name "Tony Hestor" (is a typographic error or is another songwriter??) Peace! | ||
Mark Speck (mark_speck) 4-Laureate Username: mark_speck Post Number: 87 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.188.113.72 |
Prior to working with the Dramatics, Hester co-wrote a number of songs with Richard 'Popcorn' Wylie, many of which are established Northern soul classics. He also had a single of his own, "Watch Yourself" b/w "Just Can't Leave You", which was originally issued around Detroit on Giant and picked up by Karate for wider distribution. Hard to find on both labels now--I had two copies of the Karate and traded them both away. He was murdered by some bad dudes he crossed. I don't want to get into any more details as what I've heard about this is pretty sick. Best, Mark | ||
Don (don) 6-Zenith Username: don Post Number: 517 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.55.127 |
Charles Stepney did arrangements for EW&F I heard passed away in either late 70's early 80's. I've seen alot of his songwriting & arrangements on alot of Chicago records, before he moved to the westcoast. I'm aware of his work with CHESS Records. | ||
zebop (zebop) 4-Laureate Username: zebop Post Number: 91 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
I'm a big Charles Stephney fan. He died in 1976. | ||
Don (don) 6-Zenith Username: don Post Number: 521 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.55.127 |
Yup your right Zebop. I do recall EWF dedicating the Spirit lp in his memory. Excuse me for the misinfomation. | ||
zebop (zebop) 4-Laureate Username: zebop Post Number: 92 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
No problem at all dude  It's just one of those things I remember. Stephney was really talented. | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 1054 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.162.123.143 |
Come to my garden by Minnie Ripperton, was one of my fave Stepney records. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 326 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Great topic Medusa! I don't know much about Tony Hester but he did write an excellent ballad that was recorded by Cissy Houston in 1975 called 'Nothing Can Stop Me'. The best thing she ever recorded as a solo artist IMO! Yet another Soul gem from the 70's that should've been a hit. Is anyone else familiar with this one? | ||
Robb_K (robb_k) 5-Doyen Username: robb_k Post Number: 409 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.232.152.125 |
Like most Detroit producers, he had his brush with Motown. He wrote or co-wrote some songs with them during the early '60s, before teaming up with Popcorn Wylie. They surely knew eachother in the early sixties. Didn't Mike Hanks get killed in a similar fashion (just being in the wrong place at the wrong time) , but still, quite a coincidence. | ||
Heikki (heikki) 4-Laureate Username: heikki Post Number: 83 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.17.193.223 |
Hi! Some reminiscing about Tony (who also worked with Luther Dixon's Dynamo in the 60s) - Don Davis: "He was also part of a mix down at Golden World. Tony was a young songwriter, and we did a couple of songs together in the Golden World days... Then coming back to town on one of my visits from Memphis back to Detroit, Tony had written a couple of songs and asked 'why don't you let me produce these records for you'." Ron Banks: "Tony came to the show that Saturday night (at the Music Hall in Detroit), and Don Davis called me next Monday. He said 'Ron, get the group together. You're all going with me and Tony Hester'. We went to Tony's house, and he started playing a song called Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get. It sounded like a carnival song. We said 'we need a hit record', and Tony said 'but this is a hit record'... (They also rehearsed In The Rain that night). Ron: "Tony played nothing but piano, and he wasn't that great of a piano player. He would never play piano on the set. He played it to write the songs. He was just a great lyric and melody man. He was the perfect fit for the Dramatics... Tony had written songs since he was fourteen years old..." Tony didn't live long after his success with the Dramatics (and, to some extent, with the Dells). Don Davis: "Drugs and booze and death. When I met him he was a very clean-cut guy, very meticulous, had a style of playing, a gifted lyric, but got drugs in his life, and from '71-'72 on it was a constant fight with the drugs. Finally, I think, he got with the wrong crowd. He was found dead in the alley." L.J.Reynolds: "...He had a very bad drug problem and he knew it, and he wanted to share it with everybody in his music. It was a terrible thing, but it did shed a light on the problem. Tony died of gunshot wounds." Larry Demps: "I think the album (A Dramatic Experience) was his cry for help..." (The Dramatics Story) Best regards Heikki | ||
Robb_K (robb_k) 6-Zenith Username: robb_k Post Number: 416 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.232.131.76 |
Thanks for the interview quotes, Heikki. That provides us some good insight. | ||
David Meikle (david_meikle) 5-Doyen Username: david_meikle Post Number: 284 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 81.130.211.124 |
Popcorn always speaks fondly about his days with Tony. Has anyone got any pics of the man? | ||
Phil (phil) 4-Laureate Username: phil Post Number: 123 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 213.36.161.170 |
I didn't know that Tony Hester was into drugs, it was a very talented writer and producer, he's done everything on he Dramatics great first two LP's, including "The Devil Is Dope". | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 409 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.249.245.119 |
It would be great, if someone did have a pic of Tony and one of Charles Stepney. I know someone here on SD has some pic's (smile) Now where are those Guys that delight our eyes with their cameras ??? Where's Weldon McDougall ? Where's Bobby Eli ? Wheres dvdmike ? Where's Wonder B ? Step right up Guys... | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 4-Laureate Username: paladin Post Number: 153 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 206.185.64.23 |
Tony Hester was a very proflific producer/writer. His efforts for the Dramatics are legendary. I recall his photo being on the inside cover of their first LP, with him sitting at the piano. If memory serves he had a big time gangsta lean hat on........he fit the Dramatics like Smokey fit the Tempts. His influence along with collaborations of Don Davis, caused the Dramatics to flourish for a very long time. Sad ending to the story but he was a gifted man. I still play the Dramatics first three albums today, they are priceless. Besides their obvious hits, some of my favorite tunes were: I made myself Lonely And I panicked Fall In Love Lady Love You Could Become the Very Heart Of Me Thank you For Your Love Rich, luscious harmonies.......Love those guys.... | ||
David Meikle (david_meikle) 5-Doyen Username: david_meikle Post Number: 285 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 81.130.211.124 |
OK who can upload the pic from the first album? | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1685 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Hi David, From your lips to my ears  | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 4-Laureate Username: paladin Post Number: 156 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 206.185.64.23 |
Come on Juice, post the pic, some times my memory is ok.........sometimes not.....help a brother will ya ???? | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1687 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Ok Kdubya, It's a gatefold LP, so I have to shoot the inside & rear, then resize!!. This is a job for Photoshop!! | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1688 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Ok Kdubya, Here is the inside photo brought to you by Picture It:   (Message edited by juicefree20 on August 05, 2004) (Message edited by juicefree20 on August 05, 2004) | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 4-Laureate Username: paladin Post Number: 158 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 206.185.64.23 |
yeah Juice right on, now maybe you can get photo shop 2 cause thats Tony at piano bottom center photo and we cant see him....but you did a marvelous job, love those hats bro !!! | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1690 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Ok Kdubya, I tried to zoom in on Tony. It may not be too clear given the material & resizing of the photo.  | ||
David Meikle (david_meikle) 5-Doyen Username: david_meikle Post Number: 286 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 82.1.161.230 |
Many thanks Juice for this image of another Detroit legend. | ||
NY-DELL (dell) 3-Pundit Username: dell Post Number: 70 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 38.117.188.10 |
http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/artist/artist.cgi?ARTISTID=883151 | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 335 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
Tony wrote 'What You See Is What You Get' and 'In The Rain'? I just went to www.bmi.com and I'm shocked! I've been under the false impression that Hayes & Porter wrote those tunes all these years! Whoa! Tony also wrote a jam for Jeannie Reynolds called 'Look What Love Has Done To Me Ma' and several other gems. I've been a huge fan of this man for years without even knowing it! Thanks for all the info everyone! | ||
SDF (handsome) 5-Doyen Username: handsome Post Number: 344 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Tony Hester used to write back in 60's too, but i can't recall the songs or artists, because i've seen his name on the 45's. I already know about the Dramatics, but it was before then. Handsome | ||
Graham Finch (acooolcat) 4-Laureate Username: acooolcat Post Number: 155 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 210.200.105.229 |
SDF That would have been with Popcorn Wylie. Here's some of their 60's songs: Going To A Happening - Tommy Neal - Pameline The Mighty Lover - The Ideals - Boogaloo Rosemary What Happened - Popcorn Wylie - Karen You're My Only Temptation - Roz Ryan - Volt I'll Be Your Champion - Jimmy Soul Clark - Soul Hawk Vibrations Made US Fall In Love - Eric & Vikings - Soul Hawk Sister Lee - Sam Ward - Groove City And a couple of Tony's solo songs: Jimmy Delphs - Dancing a Hole In The World - Carla Barbara Lewis - Just The Way You Are Today - Enterprise The Holidays (Steve Mancha) - I Lost You - Groove City | ||
Steve K (ltlftc) 2-Debutant Username: ltlftc Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.11.188.92 |
It's hard to tell from the 'Tony' picture, but the floor in that shot always reminded me of the floor at Artie Field's studio in Detroit. Does anyone know if that's where it was taken? | ||
Don (don) 6-Zenith Username: don Post Number: 550 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.186.241 |
Acoolcat Graham, I remember Going to A happenin'..Mighty Lover (I love the Ideals' Go-Go Gorilla too)...Rosemary What Happened...I'll Be Your Champion..Sister Lee...Just The Way You Are Today & I Lost You. You've brought back some fine Big D sounds I'd always dug alot. Thanks Graham your Acoolcat Don | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1693 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
David & Kdubya, Thank you, you are most welcome What I need to know is if Tony Hestor & Tony Hester are one and the same? I've seen a few records listed on Northern Soul site, under both names. Is this the Northern Soul Tony Hestor/Hester? Any info would be appreciated. | ||
Graham Finch (acooolcat) 4-Laureate Username: acooolcat Post Number: 156 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 210.200.105.229 |
juicefree - Yes, it'll be the same Tony. BTW - The lead singer of The Fabulous Peps was called Tom Storm, but his real name is Thomas Hestor. He didn't do any songwriting though. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1695 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Hi Graham, Thank you very much. It's funny, but before the Northern Soul explosion, I'd never heard that Tony sang. I don't recall ever reading that anywhere, nor had I heard that he released any singles of his own. | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 4-Laureate Username: paladin Post Number: 160 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 206.185.64.23 |
Juice you da man ! Tony Hester deserves his props, hell I didn't know he wrote Mighty Lover...man that was a song we used to sing back on the block under the streetlamps....... finally I may be old but my memory is pretty much intact.......in fact "the memory keeps callin me back" Kdubya |
