Gino Parks -- 1958 [Archive] - SoulfulDetroit Forums

jsmith

03-14-2013, 04:57 AM

Found this ad for a show down in Miami, Florida in January 1958.
Gino has to be Gino Parks
.... but just who was doing the dancing in the act, Andre Williams or Gino ??
... & how long did they remain as a double act ?

6353

I believe Gino is still with us, has he performed at all in the last 10 years ?
He has a couple of sought after 45's from the early to mid 60's, anyone know why he dropped off the recording scene so early on ?

calvin

03-14-2013, 11:04 AM

I can't answer your questions, but after seeing the ad I had to look for this:

Andre Williams - Jail Bait
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w09ukTUUhBY

johnny_raven

03-14-2013, 11:28 AM

Gino recorded a duet with Frances Nero in 1968 called "Lady In Waiting," which I believe was his [[and her) last recording until Motorcity .... Which is probably why they did a duet for MC [["Your Precious Love").

robb_k

03-15-2013, 03:40 AM

6354
As far as recordings and record releases, Marv Goldberg's article on The 5 Dollars [[Andre Williams) has Andre Williams and Gino Parks [[Purifoy) together from late 1957 through at least late 1958 [[with Fortune Records). But, I suspect Parks was part of "The Andre Williams Revue" all through 1959, as well. But Andre and Gino were still recording together for Motown [[Tamla/Miracle Records) in 1960 and 1961. Andre Williams came to Motown in 1960 as both an artist and producer. Clearly, he brought his work partner [[and protege) Gino Parks, with him.

jsmith

03-15-2013, 04:03 AM

Thanks for the info Johnny & Robb.
There's a piece on the net about the Sensations .......
http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/Sensations%20Story%20Part%202%20web.pdf
.......... in that it states that after the Sensations had watched Andre W & Gino P perform "That's My Desire" on a show staged at the Northwest Club in Philly around April 62, the group cut the song and started including it in their live shows.
So the two of them [[Andre & Gino) were still touring as a duo in April 62 after Gino had started having solo 45's released by Motown.

kenneth

03-15-2013, 08:33 AM

I can't answer your questions, but after seeing the ad I had to look for this:

Andre Williams - Jail Bait
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w09ukTUUhBY

What a great song! Never heard it before.

I love the few tracks on Gino Parks that I've heard. A great vocalist. Wish there was more on him available. I especially like selections on the LP "Switched on Blues" though from what I understand they were overdubbed to be more "electric" from the original tracks.

imnokid

03-15-2013, 02:22 PM

all of Gino's singles can be bought digitally from the complete motown singles box sets.
Gino is till with us and living in Atlanta. If I can figure out how, I'll post a pic of he and B at the Hero's & Legends Awards a few years ago. He's one of her oldest friends.

robb_k

03-15-2013, 06:41 PM

6355
As I remember, Andre Williams still retained his "Andre Williams Review" [[with his own band, and Gino Parks, and, I think, a girls group), even while working for Motown from 1960-62.

jsmith

03-16-2013, 04:32 AM

I have a show ad for the Royal Theatre [[Baltimore) from around 1963/64 that featured a Motown line-up. If my memory ain't playing tricks on me, I think Gino was on the bill [[but not Andre as I recall). Will look it out if I have the chance.
Did Gino do lots of gigs in Detroit clubs back in the early to mid 60's ... OR... was he usually off touring as part of the 'Andre Williams Review' most of the time till 62/63 ?

jsmith

03-16-2013, 04:35 AM

Does anyone know if Andre was ever approached to do a book ?
With his music biz activities from the mid 50's to recent times, his production duties, record label managing, homeless down & out period, ETC. it should make great reading [[though as he seems to have upset a lot of the people he worked with down the years, he might have to be a bit selective with his take on 'the facts').

theboyfromxtown

03-16-2013, 04:39 AM

John. Andre Williams is still performing. I saw him being promoted for a show in Montpellier France

http://www.songkick.com/artists/563353-andre-williams

jsmith

03-16-2013, 08:00 AM

Yep, I knew that Andre was still performing, cheers.
Someone needs to collaborate with him on a book !!
....... Back to Gino .........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk1UM_FvrYQ

6357

Gino got to meet up with BG back in November 1994 when Berry was doing a book signing session at Atlanta's Truth Bookstore.
Wonder if Berry recognised him after all the years ??

imnokid

03-16-2013, 11:12 AM

This is very difficult to watch, but I highly reccommend that you take the time to do so. It was released in 2008, when Andre was still struggling with his demons.
http://www.myspace.com/video/agile-mobile-hostile-a-year-with-andre-williams/agile-mobile-hostile-a-year-with-andre-williams/107988750

theboyfromxtown

03-16-2013, 01:14 PM

It's even more difficult if you live in the UK.....it can only be streamed in the US!

imnokid

03-16-2013, 04:45 PM

Bummer for the UK members. However, It can be purchased.

imnokid

03-16-2013, 04:46 PM

Bummer for the UK members. However, It can be purchased.
http://www.amazon.com/Agile-Mobile-Hostile-Andre-Williams/dp/B003D7L7QI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338863061&sr=8-1

theboyfromxtown

03-16-2013, 05:27 PM

It's NTSC though!

marv2

03-16-2013, 07:38 PM