Sam E. Solo

[snakepit]

Sam E. Solo ......Love is not a game/ Tears Keep falling.Both great records
Do we know who he was? Detroit Group Singer?
Anymore tunes by him?
thanks

[roger]

Sam E. Solo ......Love is not a game/ Tears Keep falling.Both great records
Do we know who he was? Detroit Group Singer?
Anymore tunes by him?
thanks

Well, according to the write up on the tune by TIM BROWN on the Goldmine C.D. "Big City Soul, Volume 1" GSCD 42 ..

"Love Is Not a Game" was leased from Detroit's Ruby Label and was one of two discs on that logo by this particular artist. Nothing more is known about this singer, which is a shame given the enthusiastic yet wistful nature of his delivery."

Of course that would have been written about 15 years back ..

Here is the tune ..

SAM E SOLO - "Love Is Not A Game" ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kq2F1oz-Sc

Interesting to see that the producer was someone who went by the name of BERNARD SCHWARTZ .. which was also the original name of Hollywood Movie Star TONY CURTIS of [[amongst others) "Spartacus" fame .. I wonder if the real SAM E SOLO will ever stand up!?

Roger

[snakepit]

Hello Roger
Thanks for the reply.
The name suggests an artist working under "cover"....often 60s group lead singers sound similar.......so many Detroit groups, labels, singers all having a stab at trying to get a hit SOUL record.
Been playing "Tears keep falling" today, but love both tracks...

[jsmith]

This was posted a while ago on Soul Source ........ Sam E. Solo Biography by Dave Welding

Sam E. Solo was born Samuel Flournoy Jr on the 13th of July 1942 in Shreveport Louisiana, to parents Samuel and Ona Lee Flournoy. While still a babe in arms Sam's family moved to Flint Michigan. As many other southern families had done prior to and after them seeking a better life in the more industrial cities of the north. Sam's grandfather Isaac Epps a carpenter by trade and an ordained minister had moved north a year earlier taking up residence in Flint and it was he who the family first lived with until Sam's father found work at General Motors.From the age of 8 until he was 16 Sam honed his voice at his grandfather's church.But like most teenagers he became more intrigued with secular music eventually joining an R &B group known as the "Royal Lovers".
The Royal Lovers became a popular act around their local neighbourhood and this was to lead to a potential lucky break for Sam. When big band leader Big Jay McNeely who was in town visiting his Sister heard the group perform. McNeely persuaded Sam to join his band with the promise of a recording contract and a performing tour of Texas. So Sam headed south to live with his half sister Mary Lee Forest in Houston, Texas. Mary Lee would act as Sam's chaperone due to him being under age of 21.
While in Houston Sam did get to audition for Don Robey's Peacock label but no recording deal ever materialised. Though Robey was suitably impressed enough to sign Sam as the opening act for several of his revue's which featured acts such as Bobby [[Blue) Bland, Lowell Fulsom, Little Junior Parker and Etta James amongst others.
Upon reaching the age of 18 Sam decided to return to Flint where he rejoined the "Royal Lovers". The next significant figure in Sam's career was Al Bennett
Bennett offered to manage Sam and it he who introduced Sam to radio DJ Fred Garrett, who later arranged a recording session for Sam at the One-derful studios in Chicago. Although three tracks were recorded none were ever thought to have gained a release. Sam remembers the title of one of the tracks as being "Hey, Hey Pretty Baby ".
Bennett did eventually get Sam a recording contract with a local Flint label owner, by the name of James Wheeler. Sam recorded a solitary release for Wheeler records under the name of Little Sammy & The Wheelettes "Tell The Truth Jackie/Goodbye My Love"
Bob Schwartz, who owned Ruby Records, gave Sam his next [[& last) recording opportunity.

[snakepit]

jssmith

Many thanks for that ...very interesting indeed.Shame he didn't get more opportunities in Detroit.

[snakepit]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWCJgRdl2Ns&feature=related


"Tears Keep Falling"

[acooolcat]

He had a second 45 on the Ruby label:

R 5090 - SAMMY SOULO - BAD BAD WHISKEY / BABY BABY

His "TEARS KEEP FALLING" shares the same backing track as "You’ll Never Know" recorded by The Hesitations on Kapp.

[acooolcat]

His first Ruby 45 got released nationally...

4423

Bernard Schwartz owned the Ruby label.

[robb_k]

Well, according to the write up on the tune by TIM BROWN on the Goldmine C.D. "Big City Soul, Volume 1" GSCD 42 ..

"Love Is Not a Game" was leased from Detroit's Ruby Label and was one of two discs on that logo by this particular artist. Nothing more is known about this singer, which is a shame given the enthusiastic yet wistful nature of his delivery."

Of course that would have been written about 15 years back ..

Here is the tune ..

SAM E SOLO - "Love Is Not A Game" ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kq2F1oz-Sc

Interesting to see that the producer was someone who went by the name of BERNARD SCHWARTZ .. which was also the original name of Hollywood Movie Star TONY CURTIS of [[amongst others) "Spartacus" fame .. I wonder if the real SAM E SOLO will ever stand up!?

Roger
4425
I don't know who Bernard Schwartz was. Bob Schwartz owned the label and produced all the other records on it and his other labels. I guess that was one of his aliases.