By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 09:43 pm:

I would like to know the present status of the following record stores: Whites (Detroit), Smiths(Philly. opposite side of Columbia not far from Ida's soulfood rest. Hi Bobby Eli. What about Bruce Webb store.) Fletchers(Chitown) Ikes (Memphis) Damons (Detroit), Simpsons (Detroit). I haven't been to either of these in ten years.

By Jim G (64.12.107.29) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 09:48 pm:

White's Records has been gone for at least...20 years? I remember it in the late 1960s - early 1970s, I got some great Dexter Gordon stuff there.
I'm not familiar with the other two.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 10:13 pm:

Hello Jim G. I guess Mrs. White passed on. She was very frail when I last saw her around the late 80's. She was very hospitable to me. Remember the plexiglas security partition around her counter.Simpsons was run by former B.E.T. broadcaster Donnie Simpson's mom. Very hospitable too. Damons was a real gogetter. He ran a very slick operation. He had the most organised Black record shop in the Motorcity. Of Course Famous Coachman has passed on. I remember during the seventies when he had a strapping Black crossdresser as a clerk in the store.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 10:20 pm:

Hey what about Kendricks (Detroit) Eddie's Brother store. Hudson (St. Louis) Boss Ugly Bob (Memphis), Bobby Eli does Marvin Bunton still run the record store at Broad & olney in Philly.

By Millie (68.40.209.129) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 10:30 pm:

Simpson's hasn't been around for years. Don't know what happened to Calvin Simpson, but his brother Donnie is on the air in Washington, D.C., and is also a host on BT TV. Mrs. Simpson passed on a long time ago.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 10:39 pm:

Damon's moved about 20 years ago from 7Mile Rd to Plymouth Rd near Evergreen. His record shop is still very well organized. Kendricks records is on Fenkle near Meyers St, still operated by Eddie's brother and nephews.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 11:19 pm:

Hi Millie & Sis: Thanks for the update. I remember going to the one-stop Calvin ran called Simpsons. He had a medium size afro then. I believe he went into the ministry. Coming to think of it, Damons is one of the most organised mom and pop record store in the country period. Did Bob Mays ever get his teeth fixed. He sure had a toothy smile the last time I saw him. Looks can be deceiving, Bob gives the impression that he could be ornery and bitchy but I always got along well with him. I believe he hailed from Kentucky. One of a kind. Is he still collecting beer cans. Don't tell me he stopped drinking.What about Detroit Audio. Are they still around?

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 11:27 pm:

Sis: Clarence kendricks was a very friendly guy to deal with. His family also ran a record store in Birmingham, Alabama where the family originates. It closed in late 70's. Actually it was in Bessemer where there was a lot of steelmills.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 12:04 am:

Detroit Audio used to be the store to get the oldies, and new. I don't think it's called that anymore. The last time I went there, about 3 years ago, it was an African boutique with paintings, figurines and what nots. They had the new rap, hip hop cds. In the back there is a room full of LP's but mostly gospel, not in any order. By now though, it may be different.

By Uptight! (24.55.6.144) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 05:52 am:

As a kid in the early 1980s I used ride my bike every Friday (after saving up my allowance) to Kendrick's Record Shop to buy leftover cut-out LPs (and the latest LPs). I appreciated Clarence Kendricks letting me rest my bike inside the store while I thumbed through every bin. They had some great deals: their new albums were $5.91, cheaper than ANYWHERE else. The smell of incense & scented oils they sold there would be absorbed into the shrink wrap on every album cover for years it seemed!

One time when I was shopping there with my sister, there were some Eddie Kendricks cut-out LPs in the bin near the counter. My sister noticed how much the guy behind the counter resembled Eddie's picture on the album covers. I replied, "Nah, that can't be him..." And we left the store. Only later did I realize it WAS Eddie, and the store was his family business! If I had known, I would have bought his albums there and asked him to autograph them. Oh, well.

Other stores I remember in Detroit in the 70s & 80s: La Green's (downtown?), Detroit Audio, Bad Records (Green-8 Shopping Ctr.) and the occassional mop & pop store on Wyoming Ave. in my neighborhood.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 06:27 am:

What about Cookie's on Grandriver(Detroit). I know they closed in the seventies but I mentioned it because it may jog some memories. There was also Leonards on the east side. Their, opening hours were very erratic.Very friendly was Len. There was also Franks one stop on West Warren by I-94. He closed in the 80's. He hailed from Louisiana, He remembered Joe Simon growing up in his neighbourhood back home. I believe Bad Records was run by Calvin Simpson.Is Steves soul food rest.(Grandriver) thriving. I always though that this was a well run establishment, an example for the ghetto folks to emulate. They ran a first class operation.Yum, yum. makes my mouth water.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 06:30 am:

What about Cookie's on Grandriver(Detroit). I know they closed in the seventies but I mentioned it because it may jog some memories. There was also Leonards on the east side. Their, opening hours were very erratic.Very friendly was Len. There was also Franks one stop on West Warren by I-94. He closed in the 80's. He hailed from Louisiana, He remembered Joe Simon growing up in his neighbourhood back home. I believe Bad Records was run by Calvin Simpson.Is Steves soul food rest.(Grandriver) thriving. I always though that this was a well run establishment, an example for the ghetto folks to emulate. They ran a first class operation.Yum, yum. makes my mouth water.

By Jim G (12.47.224.13) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:05 am:

I used to frequent LaGreens, much good jazz there.
Clairmount Records on Woodward was another place that had lots of jazz 'in storage' cause it didn't sell.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:24 am:

Mrs. White (Detroit) used to remind me of Moms Mabley. I guess it was her mouth. May God bless her soul, wherever she is. She told me Aretha used to frequent her store.At one time in the 80's she had a Pakistani looking fellow as a helper in the store.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:37 am:

Mrs. White (Detroit) reminded me of Moms Mabley. The both had the same shaped mouth.She told me Aretha used to frequent her store. May God bless her soul, wherever she is. She had a Pakistani looking fellow as a helper in the early 80's.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 08:25 am:

Now that I think about it, Mrs. White maybe related to Ted White, Aretha's former husband. Maybe.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 06:57 pm:

Everytime I pass Clairmont and Woodward, I think about the record stop that used to be there. Steve's Soul Food is doing great. He has opened another restaurant, I believe in Southfield. Sanders BBQ has been inlarged on Greenfield and Fenkle.

DMeikel and Graham can explain about White's Record shop.

Soulpuss - I don't know what you mean by "ghetto folks", I would rather call them "the underprivileged." Now a days ghetto means something different to the young than it did in the 60's. The young believes ghetto is being un-cool, not wearing expensive gym shoes, and not wearing your pants to your knees.

But I believe it was the underprivileged who helped Steve's Soul Food grow from a small hall way over the counter restaurant, to purchase the building adn remodeled into an expanded space of 3-5 room beautiful dinner area with expensive decor.

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:03 pm:

SOULPUSS: I DON'T KNOW THAT TED WHITE (ARETHAS EX-HUSBAND AND MANAGER) HAD ANY FAMILY IN THE RECORD SHOP BUSINESS!!!...I USED TO GIG WITH RICARDO (RICKEY) WHITE...TED AND ARETHA'S NEPHEW, WHO PLAYED ALTO SAXAPHONE WHEN I WAS IN MY EARLY HIGH SCHOOL DAYS...AND I KNEW HIM PRETTY WELL...AND I DON'T RECALL HIM EVER TALKING ABOUT ANY RELATIVES IN THE RECORD SHOP BUSINESS!!!...STU

By Jim G (205.188.209.38) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:09 pm:

SisDetroit,

I remember Horn's Records very well (Woodward/Clairmount). Mr Horn had TONS of old jazz records in his back room 'cause they didn't sell, and I spent much of my wages buying, and time digging through, his stacks of hot wax.

By Jim G (205.188.209.38) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:14 pm:

Hey Stu, I knew Ricardo pretty well in the early 1990s. He used to sit in with Ben Baber's group at BoMac's. I saw him about...two years ago at Baker's. Still looked the same, sounded good too. I didn't know he was related to Aretha.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:15 pm:

Jim G - This is the first time I've heard anybody say they remember Horn's record shop. That was a great spot for a record shop. I will have to contact one of the Horns to have him come on board. Who knows, he may have some LP's in some warehouse. (LOL) Believe me he has some story's to tell.

By Jim G (205.188.209.38) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:20 pm:

Hey Sis, you should try and come to our jazz presentation tomorrow at 6 at the Det Pub Lib, main branch.
Yeah wouldn't that be a gas...piles of Coltrane & Miles LPs sitting in a warehouse. Too Much!
I think the store is now a hair salon.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:36 pm:

I was just thinking about that Jim. I looked at my calendar, and I have your name there. :o) Then I looked outside, and thought "Oh boy, please don't snow anymore." So, I'm planning. Do I have to call to make reservations, as indicated on the flier I received from DPL?

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:42 pm:

The prince and Adams record store on 12th. st. in DET.This is were we met "MARV JOHNSON" when he worked there.We also met"MARY WELLS" there and she helped us get on 20th.Century Fox records,as MARV pointed us in the right direction with UNITED ARTISTS.One nite at one of FRANTIC ERNIES record hops we were invited to play,THE 20 GRAND,
MARY WELLS was there and she said to FRANTIC,pointing to me,that boy always laughing.
Even though it's just a pipe dream,but I always felt MARY WELLS recorded "LAUGHING BOY" after me.
This could be the farthest from the truth,but it makes me feel so warm inside to believe it in my own mind.So when I hear "LAUGHING BOY",I always get that feeling,and every cd I make,laughing boy is on them.Great strings,great voice, great Andantes and love-tones back round,and just a great song all around.(tears and goose-bumps)

Other record store was CETNARS on JOY and GRANDVILLE.

METRO MUSIC,on plymouth and vaughn.

CAPPY'S,on Gratiot and 8ight mile.

"COUNT"

By Jim G (205.188.209.38) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:50 pm:

Sis,
I doubt very much if we'll fill up 100 seats, just show up, I'll save you a seat next to my wife, Dawn. She'll be running the slide projector for us.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 08:51 pm:

Ok, Jim, I can't pass up a deal like that. I'm taking out my boots, hat and gloves. I'll see you tomorrow. :o)

By Millie (68.40.209.129) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 09:00 pm:

Soulpuss,
I'm not 100% sure whether or not Detroit Audio is still in business. I do know that Lee Norris, who used to run Detroit Audio, is still around and is living in Detroit with his mother.

By David Meikle (213.122.70.52) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 04:44 am:

Keep us posted on your presentation Jim.

Comments from Sis too please and anyone else who may be there.

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 10:17 am:

I'm suprised no one has mentioned "The Fabulous Coachman"!! When I wanted a hard to find record like "Stoop down baby"by Chick Willis or Elmore James tunes,he would either have it or find one for me. What an amazing guy he was,and really down home friendly with everyone. This was before you could get old blues tunes on c.d.s. I believe his shop was on Jefferson east of the Ren-Cen a mile or so.

By Livonia Ken (136.1.1.101) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 10:29 am:

Sis,
I drive by Damon's almost every day on my way to work (I use Burt Road to Plymouth to bypass the gnarly I-96/Southfield interchange) and have never actually shopped there. I will have to check it out one of these days.

Thanks,
Ken

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 10:39 am:

Hi Ken - Everyone knew the Coachman. But very seldom do I go east of Woodward. The Coachman was extremely popular. Be sure to check out the cassettes that Damon has. He has a lot of imported cds also. I live in that area. You pass my street if you travel between Evergreen and Burt Rd.

By Livonia Ken (136.1.1.101) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 10:49 am:

I pass by it almost every weekday, Sis. Don't worry though, I don't speed or drive recklessly. Actually, you will probably recognize me as the only one in the area not doing either of those things during rush hour.

Regards,
Ken

By the count (65.60.201.174) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 03:35 pm:

"AFTER HOURS"-THE FAMOUS COACHMAN
I have approx 20 of his shows on tape.
A line from the "FAMOUS COACHMAN"
"sometimes it not the songs the COACHMAN play,but the words the COACHMAN say".

"COUNT"