By John Lester (213.1.134.214 - 213.1.134.214) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 02:30 pm:

I was busy scouring for Rose Battiste in my papers and came across this group and thought that sounds familiar...but who are they?

So I sees 2 titles Jessica White and Rockin Me Back...and producers Russ and Ralph....

Now Ralph..what were you up to?

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.179.156 - 213.122.179.156) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 02:45 pm:

Michael and Raymond(?) of 'A man without a woman' fame.

Michael Campbell and Ray Monette.

Type in "michael campbell" in the search forum function and you'll see an ad with their name on it under DEANNE.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 03:04 pm:

John,
My brother and I signed Mike Campbell and Ray Monette to Motown. Too many years have passed for me to remember what our intentions were for them as artists. They wrote well together and were an interesting pair. Anyone who personally knew Mike Campbell ( Crazy Mike ) could certainly attest to that.
A couple of years earlier, Babbitt would have started the band Scorpion along with Mike and Ray and Andrew Smith.I remember he pitched the group to Ahmet Ertigan the day he visited Tera Shirma, but nothing came of that incident.
At the time we signed Mike and Ray to Motown we were just getting involved with Stoney and Meatloaf and they would contribute to the material for the S&M album. It may be during this time that Babbitt tried once again with the Scorpion concept but I don't remember for sure. Perhaps he can comment here and clear things up for me.
At any rate, eventually Ray would join Rare Earth and after a period of time Mike wuld leave Motown and re-emerge as Michael Champion,the actor.

By john lester (213.1.134.11 - 213.1.134.11) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 04:02 pm:

David...thanks for the info..

Ralph...I still knew you were THE man...and even though you tell us all that you forget things these days...atleast you recall all the right things...so was it just a few tracks that you worked on or did you do a few albums worth.

I have the Michael Campbell album on Motown..

What did Michael Champion appear in as an actor...

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 06:16 pm:

John,
To tell you the truth I don't remember what we had recorded on Mike and Ray. I'm sure whatever it was, was generaly for demo purposes at the time because I don't think Russ and I were ready to get them into the studio for some serious recording.

Mike would show up in several movies. Usually he played a bad guy. I'm trying to think of the movie....Damn...I can't reacall...the star might have been Scwartzenegger or Mel Gibson..???? ayway...he had a pretty big part as a heavy in that one. I'll try and think of it.

One of his earlier movie spots was in Back to the Future. Hewas the bum sleeping on the park bench. Mike also appeared in several commercials here in the States.

Sorry I can't be more specific John. Like I said...I seem to orget things.

By john lester (213.1.136.25 - 213.1.136.25) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 08:44 pm:

you did well.....pal...

just remember, to be nice to me....otherwise I shall remind you of this...

LOLOLOLOL

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 09:17 pm:

Remind me of what John???.( confused smile ) Hey...I'm being nice. Did you see how fast I set up that other thread for you John?

By John Lester (213.1.135.221 - 213.1.135.221) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 09:38 pm:

I know you've been good...I write all these pleasantries in my little book....

So it looks like there are at least two COLD beers for you...only problem is you have to come to London for me to buy them for you!!!

LOLOLOL....

HAHAHAHAH

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.200.58 - 205.188.200.58) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 09:51 pm:

Hi John. Mike Theodore and I did the arrangements for their record on RCA. I also have a story about Mike that happened in LA in my book.

Dennis Coffey

By John Lester (213.1.135.221 - 213.1.135.221) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 10:18 pm:

Dennis

Why don't you save that story for all of those that come along to see you on Tuesday

You will need a long story to talk about cos you are gonna have a pile of books from me to sign.

Oh and bring your umbrella Dennis...!!!

By Ian W (213.122.172.185 - 213.122.172.185) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 10:18 pm:

I've just dug up my notes and noticed misters Campbell and Monette as being aka Abstract Reality of Sport fame ('Love Burns Like A Fire Inside'). They also wrote both sides of Irene & The Scotts 'I'm Stuck On My Baby' along with the infamous Mr. Kreinar ... oh and arranged by Theo-Coff. It's a small world after all! And we're lucky enough to chat to them on this wonderful website!

By John Lester (213.1.135.221 - 213.1.135.221) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 10:20 pm:

Ian W

and in person on Tuesday..........!!

By Caleb (65.129.43.165 - 65.129.43.165) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 10:27 pm:

Ralph,the name of that movie that Mike Campbell was in was called "Total Recall"with Arnold Scwartzenegger.

By Ian W (213.122.172.185 - 213.122.172.185) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 10:27 pm:

And Manchester?

By Russ Terrana (198.178.8.81 - 198.178.8.81) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 10:46 pm:

Mike also appeared in "Toy Soldiers" and "Pink Cadillac" with Clint Eastwood. In both films he plsyed the bad guy. It's funny to see Mike in a heavey roll since he's really a very funny guy and nothing like the rolls he has done.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 11:54 pm:

Caleb,
Thanks for the movie information.

Russ...you're my twin brother but I must be further along to obivion than you are. Thanks for enlightening me. Mike had the perfect face for a heavy...kind of a smart-assed look. But he was SOOO funny!!!

By the way....good to see you here mo...ker.
Don't stay away so long. so nice of you to call, as we say.Ed Wolfrom wants you in Detroit next year.. Hmmmm....maybe you , me and Fred should go.That would put four of The Sunliners back in the city. We could raise all kinds of hell, just like old times....just as long as we were done by 8PM.

By Millie (64.152.156.189 - 64.152.156.189) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 12:57 am:

Mike was also in Beverly Hills Cop...again playing a heavy! About ten years ago he was doing commercials for Tropicana Fruit Juices! He's done well for himself. He's now living in San Diego, married again with a couple of young kids. He's also born again..maybe that's why he gave up acting. What a great talent he was! Ralph, remember when he played Berger in Hair at the Vest Pocket Theatre on Grand River??

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 01:49 am:

I sure do Millie.It was at that time that I started to realize what a huge talent Mike was. He also did a commercial for Zima where he played a rather mysterious bartender in a rather film noir black and white format and speaks to words..." Nice hat "

By Caleb (65.129.36.172 - 65.129.36.172) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 02:20 am:

Mike was also in a thriller called something like"Somebody's In The House".It was supposedly scary as shit.I saw him in a commercial for MCI long distance as well.

By jack (216.78.129.196 - 216.78.129.196) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 04:18 am:

Hi folks; It sure is nice to see that so many people remember the songs that I produced on Mike and Ray (man without a woman ) and really good to see Mike go on to the movies .I'm not surprised that Mike did that because he was really a talented fellow Jack Ashford

By Mark Speck (65.57.23.167 - 65.57.23.167) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 04:43 am:

I also recall seeing Michael Champion's name on a TV show or two, but can't recall what show. Guess I'll have to check the IMDB.

They were Mike and Ray on Giant, Michael and Raymond on RCA, and Abstract Reality on Sport.

Best,

Mark

By Son of Thunder (65.129.44.60 - 65.129.44.60) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 04:54 am:

Mike played the part of a miser-like merchant in a yellow pages commercial.It was pretty funny.

By John Lester (213.1.133.73 - 213.1.133.73) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 07:44 am:

Thank you to all those for enlightening me.


...and nice to see Russ popping in too!

and Ralph....that would be a great idea for 4 Sunliners to get together....BUT dont think that will mean Rosie is gonna come along too!!!

LOLOL

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.155.105 - 213.122.155.105) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 08:09 am:

Thanks to John for raising this thread.

Lots of great information.

Did anyone mention where he is now?

what happened to Ray Monnette too?

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 01:29 pm:

JAck Ashford..I had no idea you produced Mike and Ray. When did this take place?

David...Ray Monette is still with Gil Bridges and Rare Earth.

I saw Mike on the TV show Alf. He was some sort of a cop in that show.

By jack (67.32.80.41 - 67.32.80.41) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 02:45 pm:

I had a 20 album deal with RCA and Mike and Rey were part of that deal. I think I did there session In Chicago I had Telma and Joyce on background . The song was Man without a woman .Ray was the lead guitar player in my company .We wrote a few songs together.I think Joe Hunter did the charts. I don't remember But it could have been Herbie Williams or Paul Riser.But I had strings on the date . The strings were donein Detroit if I did the rhythm in Chicago. Jack

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 03:27 pm:

Jack...do you remember what year you were producng Mike and Ray. I swear...the things one learns. Sometimes I think I'm just drifting through life oblivious to all around me.

John Lester..If Rosie shows up I doubt if we would know quite what to do.

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.200.22 - 205.188.200.22) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 08:49 pm:

Hey Jack. How are you doing? I seem to remember Mike Theodore and I doing the arrangements on Man and a Woman for you at United Sounds? Does that ring any bells?

Dennis Coffey

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.205.82 - 152.163.205.82) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 09:16 pm:

Hey John. I'll be looking for you on Tuesday. Ian, I don't know about Manchester yet.

Dennis Coffey

By Ian W (213.122.193.92 - 213.122.193.92) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 09:22 pm:

Dennis, I'll just have to lie outside the shop in a sleeping bag!

By Ian W (213.122.193.92 - 213.122.193.92) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 09:27 pm:

Richard Searling (a happy 50th birthday to him!) mentioned on his radio show that Cecil Washington was really Joe Matthews! Is this so?

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 09:47 pm:

When I see questions like that I immediately think of Graham.

BTW he was at the game today in Sapporo, Japan.

He sure gets about.

By Ian W (213.122.19.33 - 213.122.19.33) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 09:55 pm:

Hey, you have your moments too David. Great game though! I guess Graham would know.

By John Lester (213.1.134.149 - 213.1.134.149) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 10:30 pm:

Dennis....I can assure you that you will be seeing me next week.....

I am taking you to Cleethorpes on the train with three very special ladies! You better tell your wife now!!

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.107.179 - 64.12.107.179) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 11:33 pm:

Hi Ian. I will be at the Beat & Rhythm Record store in Manchester about 2:30 pm on Sunday, June 16. Call there to double check the time. I will see you there.

Dennis Coffey

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.107.179 - 64.12.107.179) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 11:38 pm:

Hi John. I would be more than happy to meet your lady friends. I am not currently married so there is no wife to tell.

Dennis Coffey

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 11:39 pm:

Dennis - so diplomatic!

By John Lester (213.1.129.27 - 213.1.129.27) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 12:14 am:

Dennis.......you know them already....Cal, Bertha and Norma from Kalamazoo and Flint!!

By Millie (166.90.227.138 - 166.90.227.138) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 01:01 am:

Dennis you lucky duck!! It's the Velvelettes! Enjoy!!!

Millie

By jack (216.78.129.208 - 216.78.129.208) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 05:47 am:

Hi Dennis good to hear from you. I enjoyed seeing you in Detroit. I must say I don,t remember who I used on there session but I have the session informtion some were in storage , but If it was you , you did a great job .I'm sure that if I called Lorraine Chandler she would remember, but I WON"T GO THERE> (smiles). Have a nice trip Jack

By John Lester (213.1.137.32 - 213.1.137.32) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 07:09 am:

Millie...

Wink wink!!!

By John Lester (213.1.137.32 - 213.1.137.32) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 08:29 am:

The funny thing is Millie...correct me if I am wrong...but I am sure Dennis leaves for the UK on June 8 so he probably will not have seen your message..

I wonder if Dennis has any idea what people have planned for him over here. But I will tell you one thing, we will treat him special, cos he deserves it!

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.213.61 - 152.163.213.61) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 10:10 am:

Hi Jack. Good to hear from you! I enjoyed seeing all of you guys during the filming. I gave all of you recognition in my book. Especially the comments you and Bongo made in the percussion break on Scorpio. They were wild. You deserve it. Maybe we'll get to work together again down the road.

Dennis Coffey

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.213.61 - 152.163.213.61) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 10:12 am:

Hi folks. I am leaving today. See everyone when I get there. I am looking forward to it!

Dennis Coffey

By John Lester (213.122.201.215 - 213.122.201.215) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 10:48 am:

Safe trip Dennis..and let me be the first to welcome you to our rainy shores!!

By John Lester (213.122.201.215 - 213.122.201.215) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 10:56 am:

How about this one...

Getting Down Boogie by R Kreiner and Mike Campbell

By John Lester (213.122.201.215 - 213.122.201.215) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 11:15 am:

Babbitt might might want to throw in a comment here..

Getting Down Boogie by R Kreiner and Mike Campbell

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 01:42 pm:

John

So Ady managed to employ The Velvelettes quicker that he thought he could.

Is there anyone else on at Cleethorpes?

By John Lester (213.1.136.77 - 213.1.136.77) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 03:19 pm:

David....I might do a soft shoe shuffle if you really insist!!!

I know about Dennis and the ladies performing but I am not sure of anyone else.....to be honest, I am overwhelmed already and I am not sure I could take more!!

By acooolcat (218.217.145.81 - 218.217.145.81) on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 10:02 am:

Greetings from Japan,
You flatter me David, but I`m sorry I don`t know if Joe was Cecil Washington or not. That is news to me.
I think Clay might know. Joe was also known as Little Joe.
Graham

By Ian W (213.122.60.198 - 213.122.60.198) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 09:37 pm:

Graham

The great Cecil Washington mystery is cleared up. Richard Searling said he originally covered up the record as Joe Matthews. Aaaaagh! My apologies.

By David Flynn (213.122.203.250 - 213.122.203.250) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 12:27 pm:

Ah, but as superb as The Group (feat. Cecil Washington) "I don't like to lose on Prophonics Records is......it certainly takes second place to his master-piece on Coconut Groove within the group Soul Incorporated, called "My proposal". I just can not fault that track at all - lyric, vocal, instrumentation, overall performance, and never ever get tired of hearing it! One of the few tracks that I really wouldn't want to change in any way shape or form so many years after it was recorded...perfect!

Flynny
-p.s. If you're into "cover ups", then there's a huge list of them on my web-site.....brings back memories I can tell ya! ;-)

By ady100soul (213.122.39.23 - 213.122.39.23) on Wednesday, June 19, 2002 - 05:55 am:

There were another four sides at least cut on Michael & Raymond at RCA but they weren't on the soulful side.
Ady

By BOBBABBITT (64.12.105.48 - 64.12.105.48) on Wednesday, June 19, 2002 - 12:04 pm:

HEY MO-FU'S...MIKE AND RAY WERE LIKE BROTHERS TO ME... I WILL POST SOME INFO ON THEM AS SOON AS I CAN......THANKS, THE BABBITT