Say the word “Miracles” and all kinds of images from the golden era of the Motown Record Corporation comes to mind. The Miracles were the first Motown group to break through bringing Berry Gordy’s fledgling Detroit record company its first gold record for selling a million copies. The song was “Shop Around” and the year was 1960.
High octane, turbo, high performance, super-charged – MITCH RYDER & The Detroit Wheels didn’t need to hail from the Motor City for those adjectives to be tossed their way, but it was certainly appropriate that they called Motown home. It was Mitch and The Wheels who served as the musical bridge between the Motown soul
Mountain is one of those rare bands in the past thirty years that can be credited with forging a style and sound that would for ever change the face of Rock Music.The innovative studio and live music of Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, Corky Laing and Steve Knight, MOUNTAIN, is one of those elite examples. The
In January 2000 “MUSIQUE” was featured on VH1 “WHERE ARE THEY NOW”? In 1999 E! ENTERTAINMENT Television produced a critically acclaimed two hour special entitled “THE TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY STUDIO 54 THE LAST PARTY Mary Seymour (Lead singer) was featured. MUSIQUE, was also featured on MTV’S “ROCK’IN THRU THE WEEK”. MUSIQUE emerged in the late
It was late 1956, in Pop’s Candy Store on 16th Avenue and 77th Street — just across from New Utrecht High School. The Overons were singing on the corner every night, and polishing their sound. Jim Gribble heard them at an audition and liked their sound. He felt he would have no trouble getting this
Their songs transcend time. Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, revered for unforgettable past hits, explore fresh creative territory in the present. Magically melodic songwriting and soaring sibling harmonies ensure that this pair will be a vital part of the music scene’s future. “After the Rain” was the hit debut album by Nelson, the band Matthew and Gunnar
Together since high school, the Ohio Express were the ultimate bubblegum band. Their lead singer, Joey Levine, sang like he had a huge wad of bubblegum in his mouth. His super nasal vocals are a bubblegum trademark. The band played tense go-go grooves with chug-chug-chug-chug–chug-chug-chug-chug guitars & roller rink keyboards. Compared to most bubblegum bands,
It was in 1957 when Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles began as a quintet called the Triumphs of McKinley High School in Canton, OH. In 1960, they became the Mascots but were renamed The O’Jays in 1963 after legendary radio D.J. Eddie O’Jay. Things began to take off for
Thirty years ago, in 1975, Pablo Cruise released its first A&M album simply entitled Pablo Cruise. The album cover was shot in the tropical gardens of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and it featured a huge gorilla standing front and center. The band, David Jenkins (guitars & vocals), Cory Lerios (keyboards & vocals), Steve Price
The Passions are one of the best Brooklyn vocal groups to emerge from New York City in the late 50s and early 60s. They started out as the Sinceres, one of several vocal groups whose “harmony haven” was the alley alongside Loew’s Oriental Theatre in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. Nearby Kelly’s Pool Room occasionally
On December 17, 1949, a lad was born in Middlesbrough, England who would one day be known as one of rock’s most distinctive vocalists. Paul Rodgers first came to prominence in 1968 as a member of the seminal blues group Free. He has often been called the greatest voice in rock. Initially, as the young
Over an illustrious career that has spanned close to 4 decades, Peaches & Herb have established themselves as an international household name. This dynamic duo’s hitmaking reputation has been firmly etched into the public consciousness with nearly 60 records that have made the charts since “Let’s Fall In Love” began its climb up the charts in the
In April 1963, 15 year old “Little” Peggy March scored a No. 1 hit with her instant smash “I Will Follow Him” which stayed at the No. 1 slot for an incredible 3 weeks. With her first recording an instant hit, RCA Records discovered Peggy’s way with language – she had a phenomenal ear and could pick
Formed in 1962, the Persuasions have performed with a legendary line up of artists from Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Liza Minelli, the Grateful Dead, and amassed over 28 album and CD record releases. Known for their creative interpretation of iconic artists, the Persuasions have recorded a wide range of music from
Born in Beckenham, England, Peter became interested in music at age 7, mastering the guitar by age 10 and playing in a band called The Little Ravens, which played on the same bill at school as George & The Dragons, a group including David Bowie, then a student of Peter’s art teacher and dad, Owen
Signed to Atlantic Records in 1984, RATT’s debut album “Out of the Cellar” went over 3x Platinum in 1984 behind the hit single “Round & Round”, “Back for More” and “Wanted Man”. RATT toured with Billy Squire and Ozzy Osbourne before going on to headline their own arena tours around the globe. World infestation had
While he is perhaps best known for the No. 1 smash hit “Ghostbusters”, Ray Parker, Jr. has enjoyed quite a versatile career, not only as a much sought-after guitarist, but with a number of other hits to his credit, as a performer, songwriter and producer. Born May 1, 1954, in Detroit, MI, Ray started out
Rex Smith is a multi-talented performer whose natural singing ability has led him to a successful career as a singer and actor. A veteran of stage and screen, Rex started his career as a “teen idol” heartthrob with the platinum album hit “You Take My Breath Away.” Other albums included “Rex”, “Where Do We Go
The son of an army officer, Australian rocker Rick Springfield first picked up the guitar at the age of 13. In the early 60s, he began playing in bands. In the band Zoot, Rick wrote several hits. They also had a hit with a cover of ‘Eleanor Rigby’. Rick went solo after Zoot’s breakup in
The Rip Chords are a California Group.Their songs tell stories of hot rods, the surf and boys and girls in love. When you think of California in the 60’s, you think of The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, and The Rip Chords. No wonder. In 1964 “Cashbox” reported that“Hey Little Cobra” was #2 with a bullet
Pop music fans know Ron Dante as the man who sang lead and was all the background voices for the group The Archies hit song Sugar Sugar. This hit single topped the top 40 charts for weeks and was voted “Song of the Year’ in 1969 in an era dominated by the Beatles, the Rolling
In 1957 a group of friends in a Detroit, Michigan high school came together to make music. Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson, George W. Dixon, and Bobbie Smith called themselves the Domingoes, but soon changed their name to The Spinners. The Spinners first hit the charts in 1961, with “That’s What Girls Are Made For”.
At the age of 13, Stephen Bishop found himself at a crossroads. A clarinetist with hopes of becoming a History teacher, he was forever changed after watching the Beatles one night on The Ed Sullivan Show. He convinced his brother to buy him an electric guitar. He bought a “Mel Bay” chordbook and began to learn
Some may say that success comes easy. Perhaps when speaking of Janice-Marie Johnson, it’s more correct to say that success comes naturally. A brief glance at Janice-Marie’s musical accolades may seem daunting to both insiders and outsiders alike. A Taste of Honey’s self-titled debut release, rocked the record industry in more ways than one. It
Five brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts joined together to create one of the most memorable soul groups of the 70s and 80s. Many of their instantly recognizable international hits, such as “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel” and “More Than A Woman”have become classics. The brothers – Ralph, Tiny, Chubby, Butch and Pooch Tavares – originally called themselves
