By Aljaydu (207.222.255.146) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 03:54 pm:

Come on, Spyder....we know that the material's been in the can for a while...reading a thread on Otis Williams kinda shedded some light on the fact that you also wrote a track for the Tops. What can you tell us about the music...what's Norm planning on doing about the tracks? Here's some of the post form the Otis William thread:

Norman has an album that he wrote and produced for the Four Tops, spyder wrote one song on it as well.Norman put the finishing touches on it and it is the bomb. It is so bad that I believe if it came out today it would win come back album of the year and maybe album of the year perieod. Norman is still the great the producer that he was then and we have learned so much from him by working with him. The music is adult contempary but all young people grow older and they end up listening to 60's 70's music and here we are in the millennium and people say the music sounds dated, no my brother,the music sounds refresshing and great because the lyrics mean something and the melodies are just good feeling songs. Take it from me, I am doing my thing with the new R & B/hip hop and some my artist needs to listen to the Spyder Turners,The new Four tops album 911 featuring Levi Stubbs at his best and maybe his last recordings (I don't know the answer to that) but because of Levi's current situatuon, Norman did the same thing he did when David left the tempts, he took dennis and made it work anyway. In this case, he took Theo Peoples and made it work as well, so you have the Four Tops Levi and a younger Theo sharing the leads and Duke, Obie and some with Lawrence Peyton singing backgrounds before he passed on. Norman and The Four Tops have never worked together before while at Motown cause Berry said that they were too different types of products, The Tops were Pop, Jazzy and lovable, NOrmans style was to risky for the Tops then, well this 911 album is a masterpiece monster waiting to come out. I am here to stirr it up cause it's long overdue. I personally sat in the mastering lab to oversee the project for Norman. That was one of my jobs with him and I heard this piece of work and I said to Norman, Why isn't this out, people need to hear this and I told Duke Fakir the same thing. I think the Motown Foundation or Rythem and blues foundation should look into this album and be instrumental in putting this album out right now, for Norman, the Four Tops and especially Levi Stubbs.
A GREAT PIECE OF HISTORY AND I KNOW WHERE TO GET IT. I will never take up this much time again cause i don't have all the time in the world but I am really excited about this forum and the history that I am learning and I wanted to speak my piece about all of this. I would like to do something one day on dvd or something and talk about these type of things and give our younger music listener a history lesson. peace out vince

By Juicefree20 (141.149.61.110) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 05:30 pm:

Hey Vince, that's some very good info there. I admire your passion & I hope that we'll all get to hear what you're raving about! It sounds like it would be great. Yo, talk to Norman about this, I'm sure that a little gentle pressure might help. KEEP THE PRESSURE ON!!!

Peace
Juice

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 12:05 am:

HELLO ALJAYDU
AL I CAN SAY IS THIS CD THAT NORMAN DID ON THE FOUR TOPS COULD POSSIBLY BE THE BIGGEST ONE YET. IT'S THE LAST ONE WITH ALL OF THE ORIGINAL TOPS AS WELL AS THE NEW GUYS, THEO PEEPLES, AND RONNIE MCNAIR. THIS ALBUM COULD GO ALL THE WAY, IT IS CERTAINLY MY FAVORITE. EVERY SONG IS AS STRONG AS HELL. NORMAN PUT A LOT OF LOVE AND MONEY INTO IT. SO JUST MAYBE HE'S JUST WAITING FOR THE RIGHT OFFER, I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE THAT HE IS CLOSE TO CLOSING A DEAL, BUT I'M NOT THERE SO I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE. NORMAN IS A PERFECTIONIST SO I CAN SEE HIM WAITING ON THE PERFECT SITUATION. HELL HE MADE ME REWRITE THE SONG THAT I HAVE ON THE CD FIVE TIMES, UNTIL I GOT IT RIGHT. BUT IT WAS A LOT OF FUN AND I AM GREATFUL TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THAT,,,,,,,,BEST WISHES, SPYDER TURNER

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 01:01 am:

P.S.
JUST SO YOU KNOW, EVEN IF I DIDN'T HAVE A SONG ON THAT CD, AND DIDN'T KNOW NORMAN OR THE TOPS, I WOULD STILL HAVE TO HAVE THIS CD IN MY COLLECTION. IF I WERE ONE OF THEM THAR BIG RECORD COMPANIES,,,,,,,,WELL,,,,,,,,IF

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 01:21 am:

SORRY BUT P.S. AGAIN
I GOT TO SAY IT.
EVEN IF ONE HAS NO EARS, THEY SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE FUTURE ON THIS ONE

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.178) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 03:28 am:

Tuesday Breakfast England

Thanks Spyder for the extra information on the NORMAN WHITFIELD Produced FOUR TOPS ALBUM and a Big Shout of thanks to Aljaydu for all that info! - we have been talking about this for a long time now, but it sure sounds so exciting!

It has just got to see the light of day! - Please Norman! - does anyone speak to Norman, some Record Company must see the time is right, the 50th Anniversary Year, to follow on from "Levi Live" - what a Tonic for OUR LEVI it would be!

Come on we have talked and talked about this project TOGETHER let's make it happen NOW!

Kind Regards to Everyone - John

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 09:28 am:

YEA, "WHY DON'T WE GET STARTED",,,,,,(ONE OF THE TITLES)

By Stranger56 (165.155.128.121) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 10:31 am:

Is that YOUR title, Spyder?
LOL

C'mon, guys....there's gotta be something we can do here!

This CD needs to be released NOW.....for the 50th Anniversary!!

Spyder, can you shed some more light on other titles, details, etc.?

We're STARVING!!

Jim

By Jonel (137.113.28.183) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:06 am:

I truly hope that the powers that be will take note of this and go for it. PLEASE! This is the perfect time to issue a piece that will revive the sound of the legendary group with the new contemporary group. Speaking from someone who attended a packed house concert in Virginia last weekend, here are still A LOT of Four Tops fans out there. I also think that classic soul/R&B music is experiencing it's own revival among the younger listeners right now. I was just reading an article about Sony's Knowles' music group and their album deal with The O'Jays and their intent to produce classic soul groups like The Whispers and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. The Four Tops fit perfectly with the revival of this genre.

By Helene (217.32.166.37) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:10 am:

Please, please, please can we have this CD out NOW?

I can't wait to buy it.

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.169) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 12:42 pm:

Tuesday Afternoon - England

Jim, Spyder, Jonel, this has got to become a Campaign - I have heard reports back what a great job Spyder did at "Our Levi" and I have enjoyed ivsiting your site since - Thanks!

Guys we have got to keep this tread at The TOP! - someone must have a contact with NORMAN - This is is the Right Time! - someone must have a conatct at a Record Company, just like the old TV commercials for "Del Monte" Orange Fruit Juice - who THE MAY WILL SAY - YES !!!!

2004 is The Year!

John

By Gee (24.236.160.80) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 02:23 pm:

I agree Spyder can you contact Norman and see whats up

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 03:46 pm:

HI JIM,
I'D HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM NORMAN BEFORE I CAN REVEAL THE TITLES TO THE OTHER TRACKS, BUT THE ONE I WROTE IS CALLED
JUST ANOTHER DAY ( I THINK OF YOU )
HEY GEE, HOPEFULLY I'LL BE TALKING TO WHIT SOON SO STAY TUNED.
HI JOHN!! THE THANKS GOES OUT TO YOU MY FRIEND,,,,,,,BEST WISHES,
SPYDER

By Stranger56 (165.155.160.122) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 04:16 pm:

We're waitin' on you, Spyder......we're waitin' on you!

Jim

By Aljaydu/Creole (204.32.150.99) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 07:52 pm:

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speechless...
I read an article a few years ago where Levi stated that he'd like to have another number one.

Let's give it to him...Obie...Duke...the Late, Great Mr. Payton, Theo and Ronnie!!!!!!!!!

What do I have to do???

Can I help in any kind way????

Thanks, Spyder.

Thanks, VINCE for putting out that info on another thread. Hope you don't mind me copying and pasting that info here. That info, Vince, gave us a great deal of info on that "Phantom" session that we heard about (year 2000) but never got a follow up about. Jack ashford stated that he had done a few things for Norm on the project and he, at the time, stated that the tracks were HOT, HOT, HOT.

WOW !!!!!

Speechless !!!!!!!!

Let's do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once again, thanks, Mr. Spyder !!!
Thanks Mr. Vance.

A true TOPS fan...

Alan "Aljaydu" Duhe'

By Gee (24.236.160.80) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:38 pm:

Can the Tops help with this

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.178) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 04:03 am:

WEDNESDAY BREAKFAST ENGLAND

Alan "Alijaydu" Duhe, Spyder, Jim, BIG THANKS - we can do this, we can get this album released, WE HAVE TO - if only to say THANKS for all the enjoyment and pleasure THE FOUR TOPS and OUR LEVI have given us, in my case since my first single I bought at 12 of THE FOUR TOPS.

OUR LEVI - Can have another HIT!

Let's keep it Going - John

By Jonel (137.113.28.183) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 10:35 am:

I'll be glad to do whatever I can to help to make this a reality. If there were some way a movie would pick it up and use one of the songs on a soundtrack--that would be awesome. Is there any chance of that? I know that Theo's recording of "Night and Day" when he was with the Temptations was on the soundtrack of "What Women Want". Several friends of mind, who weren't familiar with the current Tempts or Theo, commented on how much they loved that track.

By Bob Olhsson (209.247.222.87) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 01:37 pm:

Considering that all of the major labels have changed hands within the past few months and the fact that a lot of artists have been dropped, it's probably just as well that the album hasn't gotten caught up in all the mess.

By Gjeno4u (205.188.209.13) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 02:56 pm:

WOW! This is wonderful news. I'm 56 yrs young and have been a Four Tops fan since "Baby I Need Your Loving" was realeased. The time is "ripe" for this to happen. It's 2000(4)It's the 50th anniversary. Bro.Lawrence is on the recording
LEVI is still with us.(Thank you LORD!) The legendary and contemporary sounds are combined. Norman,Spyder,Creole,FANS...MAKE THIS A REALITY!

By Grammylove (198.81.26.103) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 03:15 am:

Well..........I can tell you that I personally have had the sheer pleasure of hearing one of the tracks called "Just Another Day I Think Of You" and it is the shiz!!! Happened to be at Spydie's apartment here in L.A. and let me get a peek, (if you know what I mean) and loved all of it, the song I mean. lololol The song takes love to a whole new meaning. But I can tell you that Mr. Stubbs sang his ass off. Great to hear a come back if it would ever come back. Guess "SOMEONE" needs to get off their behind and get this thing going. One more little diddy I can tell you is that in living across the hall from him, I did hear quite a few great tracks coming from behind closed doors. "KNOCK KNOCK" Who's there? 4 Tops...4 Tops who?? Don't know til they release it. But I dddooo!

By Helene (217.32.166.37) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 06:36 am:

Surely there must be something we can do? People log on to this forum from so many different places, and from so many walks of life. There must be something we can do, maybe on a local level.

Can we share ideas maybe, and get some sort of campaign started?

How wonderful it would be to give something back to the guys that have given us so much pleasure over the years.

It's time.

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.166) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 09:39 am:

GrammyLove You have not hald wet the taste buds, we have just got to hear this track, Spyder Our Man! - You must have the key to open this door and give THE FOUR TOPS and more so OUR LEVI some recording success once again.

We can count on You Spyder!

Cheers John

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 12:09 pm:

Hey Grammylove! I for got, you heard a lot of music over there on wyandotte. we had a lot of fun there.
Remember Miles? I just heard that someone covered his song "LOVE DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE" I REALLY MISS MY FRIEND, MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

HEY JOHN!!!
I DON'T HAVE THE KEY YET BUT I THINK IT'S BEING MADE RIGHT HERE ON SDF. SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE IS GOING TO WAKE UP AND SMELL A HIT CD

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.165) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 12:30 pm:

Spyder You are a True Gentleman and it has been a Great Gidt meeting You here on SD and Through "LIVE WITH LEVI" - The Great Man means the World to me and Always Will!

We are right behind YOU Spyder and we will all give You 100% Support THE FOUR TOPS and as Important YOURSELF Deserve this sucess. (This track of yours Spyder must be something really *Special*)

Have a great Day Spyder - John

By Stranger56 (165.155.160.122) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 12:43 pm:

Now, when Spyder says....
"I just heard that someone covered his song "LOVE DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE""

is he giving us a hint? Is that another track on this CD that WE HAVE TO GET RELEASED???!!

Spyder, you don't understand how this is killing some of us here. In '85 they recorded an LP Hot Nights, for Motown, that has never been released (a few tracks made their way on to Indestructible). That has slowly made its way through the underground, but we can't wait 17 years or so for this one.

H.E.L.P. !!! (Anyone see what I did there?)

lol

Jim

By Aljaydu (205.186.66.221) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 01:25 pm:

H.E.L.P.
Somebody help me
I'm in need of a cd
I need a cd right now.
Right now, Spyder.

Is that what you did, Jim?

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 03:56 pm:

HI JIM,,, NO, THAT IS NOT A HINT. I WAS SPEAKING OF ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS, MILES GREGORY, WHO WROTE "LOVE DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE" FOR ROSE ROYCE AND WHO IS NOW DECEACED. HE DIED OF CANCER A FEW YEARS AGO
HEY JOHN, IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT THE. SONG I WROTE IS NOT MY FAVORITE. SOMETHING I LEARNED FROM NORMAN IS TO BE ABLE TO STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR SELF AND LISTEN TO YOUR MUSIC FROM ANOTHER POINT OF VEIW, THAT IS TO SAY PUT YOUR EGO IN YOUR POCKET AND THEN LISTEN AGAIN. THIS HELPS WHEN YOU ARE THE WRITER, PRODUCER,A&R AND EXCEC ALL IN ONE
AND EVEN SOMETIMES THE ARTIST TOO. IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT ANY SONG IS BETTER IT JUST MEANS THAT YOU LIKE ONE SONG BETTER THAN YOU LIKE THE OTHER. I'M NOT TRYING TO DOWNPLAY MY SONG BY ANY MEANS, BUT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SONGS ON THAT CD THAT I JUST HAPPEN TO LIKE BETTER THAN MINE, AND I LOVE MINE.
MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU MY BROTHER,
SPYDER

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 03:03 am:

hey all,
i just got off of the phone with vince. the reason that we haven't heard from him is he talked so much on the otis thread that his computer quit working. he just bought another one so you will be hearing from him soon. he told me that he had some more info to share on this subject, a lot of it, some he shared with me but i'll let him tell you himself. besides i'm just getting in from a long rehearsal. i'm doing 2 shows this weekend and we are recording them live, so i've got to rest these pipes up for tomorrow night and saturday night.
talk to ya'll later,
spyder

By mike s (195.93.34.12) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 06:22 am:

Spyder
Wondering if Harry W knows about this album? He could use his influence at Universal to get them to put it out on Motown....that would really make it!

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.178) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 07:43 am:

Yea Harry W is aware of it it has been discussed on the Motown BB many times, but never gone any further, sadly!

Let's hope Vince has some interesting news for us, but their must be someone with Record Company Contacts here that can open some doors! and quickly!

Cheers John

By Stranger56 (165.155.160.122) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 01:04 pm:

Thanks, Spyder...my condolences on your friend's passing.
Where's Vince?? We need to hear what he's got for us. Hey, Spyder, if he doesn't show up soon, you may have to fill us in on what you know!
LOL

You know, there might not be a record company out there that will take the chance on this. I hate to say it, but having worked at a leading NY Entertainment venue for 16 years now, I'm seeing that self-promotion may be the way to go. I see a lot of acts come in with their cd's, which they had pressed themselves, and they sell them at the shows (and do very well, I might add), and they sell them online as well. Most of the record companies won't take the risk on a group who's been around as long as the Tops, although I see The Ojay's did just get signed.
Who knows? All I know is that this CD needs to be released this year. It's been sitting in the can doing no good for anyone, and it's time to get it out there.

We need to know where Mr. Whitfield stands on this issue.

Vince??? Vince?? Where are you?

Spyder?

Jim

By Eli (68.236.25.118) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 01:11 pm:

I just covered Love dont live here anymore on one of my artists, Dominique!!

Sounds great too.

By ~medusa~ (68.250.8.91) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 01:47 pm:

Spyder, hi, Lady Medusa here, y name has been added to the SDMF(soulfulDetroit Mello~fellas) List..please 4give me 4 4getting.

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.170) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 02:13 pm:

Jim, You are quite correct self promotion can work, I bought the CD from the website of a member of the former Motown Group 98 Degrees - Jeff Timmons - and it is Good! - JEFF is foing plenty of Concert appearances and it selling well there!

For LEVI and the FOUR TOPS and LAWRENCE we have GOT to get The ALBUM OUT - Please NORMAN!

Regards John

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 03:12 pm:

Hey Lady Medusa!!!!
All i need now is a HUG!!!!!

Eli, i sure would like to hear it

Hi John, that ain't a bad idea. I certainly think that it would wake somebody up (record companies)

Hi Mike,
you know Norman and the 4 Tops both made a lot of money for Motown, I personally think they could do it again on this project. the three of them hooking up on this cd would be historical

By vaberry (67.119.157.145) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 07:10 pm:

Hello everyone I am back up and running and I promise I won't write as much as I did the first time cause I believe I broke the computer or something cause right after I wrote in the Otis Williams forum, the computer just started trippin and all kinds of things started happening and I couldn't get on line, Maybe Norman heard about me leakin this great album and put a spell on my butt, cause Norm is my man, he called me last weekend and we are going out of town together real soon and I will definitely pop all the questions to him and hope to get answers, I am in the works of talking with several labels out here in LA to see if there is something that can happen. Norm might have something up his sleeve cause that is how he is and he won't let the cat out of the bag until the right time. I don't know everyone's info on this forum but for the ones how are responding, I really appreciated it and I hope we are come together and make this a reality, Norm has always given me the green light to try and make something happen, He doesn't know much about the internet and how it works but I will help him understand and I promise to try and make all of this a reality for everyone cause I am very grateful just to have been the guy to go and master this great piece of work for Norman, I do have a copy of it but I would never do anything unreasonable to Norman or the Four Tops and leak the album. I want full cooperation from all parties involved especially since this is the 50th anniversary for the Tops. Duke and I have talked about all of this last year, he invited me to their concert here in LA last July and I told him I am going to work hard at finding a home for this album it he has not done so already. Spyder is also working on this as well. Whoever talked about the Motown thing with Harry W, please contact me at vaberry@pacbell.net and let's talk cause one thing I can do is get the product right over to them asap and I can setup meetings with Norman to come in with me and he will come. Believe me he is very proud of this work they have done together and he wants it to happen too, just that record labels are real leary of takin a chance on it, I know, been there, done that, and I got the video on it, that is a Norman W saying that I picked up. I starting up again I have to go before my new computer breaks on me. but I will stay in touch with the forum and let everyone know the status as I get it and work on it. Peace and love Vince

By MargieYa (67.101.54.46) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 08:30 pm:

Hey Spyder,

First of all I want to add my voice to everyone else here!!! We are all "Four Tops starved" for this long awaited CD.... and since you penned one of the songs, it is even more urgent that this get produced and released. You know, when I hear a Four Tops CD, I don't just buy one, I buy 4 or 5 or more, because I just have to share the love with people. I've got my list together, and it's up to 6 right now....what can we do to help get this released?

Peaceful sit in on Norman Whitfields office? At a record company? What?!?

Margie

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.164) on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 02:56 am:

Saturday Morning - England

VaBerry, it is Good to have You back! - and thanks a load for the update, it is such great News the dedication You also have for the NORMAN WHITFIELD - FOUR TOPS ALBUM PROJECT - we have just got to get it out, it seems as I have said previously we have talked about it for years, but it has to happen NOW! - for OUR DEAR LEVI!

Any Support we can give You is guaranteed. I have just felt that HW has been very quiet when asked about the album and given some vague answers? - we know HW loves THE FOUR TOPS as well, but perhaps it is Universal.

Keep us informed on developments and give all our best regards to NORMAN!

This 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR for LEVI & The FOUR TOPS has to be Special!

Kindest Regards - John

As Margie says we don't just but one copy, I would never tape or do a CD copy for the car, it is two copies upfront!

By SPYDER (68.43.183.171) on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 06:31 pm:

hey guys!!
vinnie had a lot more to say about this prodject on the norman whitfield thread

By Aljaydu (207.222.189.111) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 11:12 am:

Hey, Vance...Spyder...
do you all know Renee? She works with Norm.
She e-mailed me and basically wanted to know how I knew about the project and she DID state the the Tops/Whitfield project is "da bomb"!!! Vintage Tops and Norm.

Vance, Spyder, thank you, thank you, thank you. The info that you all are giving out is totally awesome. Thanks, again !!!!!

Alan "Aljaydu" Duhe'

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 02:00 pm:

RENE IS THE BOMB HERSELF, A REAL LITTLE MISS SWEETNESS

By Vince (63.196.247.131) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 12:05 am:

Renee is the bomb, Spyder and she is cool, I spoke with her the other day. We are supposed to get together next week. Peace Vince

By Aljaydu (205.186.66.6) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 12:22 am:

She is??? Is she single????

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 08:43 am:

YES SHE IS SINGLE, IS SHE FINE? OH HELL YEA!!!!!!!!!!

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 12:02 am:

MAY I ADD, AND SMART TOO,,,,,COMPLETE PACKAGE

By Aljaydu (207.222.255.69) on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 01:13 am:

Ya got ma hook-up, Spyder????? Hahahahahaha
Holla if ya hear me !!!!!

By Gee (24.236.160.80) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 09:09 pm:

WE need to be hooked up. Can you get her on the forum

By ALJAYDU (207.222.248.5) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 07:58 am:

Hold up, Gee...

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 10:09 am:

I E-MAILED HER LAST NIGHT AND TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS WANTED ON THE FORUM, SO MAYBE, HUH

By Aljaydu (163.179.1.247) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 01:46 am:

Spyder, I've got another question about the session... How did it go? What were the Tops and Norm like? You know...how did the session go?
Vance, any inputs?

By Vince (63.196.245.211) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 03:22 am:

I was only at the last 4 or 5 sessions working on different things for Norman, I wasn't in the studio when all the Tops were there, I was always doing something when Norman had them come in cause sometimes Norman was very secretative about the whole thing, I had the privilege of being there with Levi and Duke of couple of times and I was there when Theo cut the last few songs with Norman. Norman wrote one of the tunes in my house. I spoke with Norman yesterday and it looks like they are going to put him in the BMI songwriter's hall of fame this june I am glad to hear it, He needs to be in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame as well. vince

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 10:54 am:

HEY ALJAYDU!!!
WUDUP?
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, NORMAN AND I WERE IN LAS VEGAS WHEN WE SAW A BILLBOARD THAT WAS ADVERTISING THE TEMPTATIONS AND THE FOUR TOPS AT ( I THINK IT WAS ) THE HILTON. I HAD NEVER SEEN THE TOPS LIVE SO NORMAN AND I WENT TO SEE THE SHOW. BOTH GROUPS WERE SUPERB, I REALLY ENJOYED THE SHOW. I HAD SEEN THE TEMPTS AND KNEW THEY WERE GREAT BUT THE TOPS REALLY SURPRISED ME CAUSE LIKE I SAID, I HAD NEVER SEEN THEM PERFORM LIVE.
AFTER THE SHOW WE WENT BACK STAGE AND KICKED IT WITH THE GUYS, I WAS FLOORED AGAIN BY HOW WARM AND FRIENDLY THEY WERE.
ANYWAY, WE WOUND UP IN OBIE BENSONS SUITE TELLING JOKES AND JUST HAVING A GOOD TIME. WE WENT BACK THE NEXT NIGHT TO SEE THEM AGAIN AND AFTER THE SHOW WE WERE IN EITHER OBIE OR LEVI'S SUITE WHEN THE SUBJECT OF RECORDING AND THE FACT THAT NORMAN HAD NEVER CUT THE TOPS CAME UP. NORMAN HAD SOME DEMOS IN THE CAR AND I WENT AND GOT THEM AND HE PLAYED SOME OF THE MUSIC HE HAD BEEN WORKING ON, THEY LOVED IT, THAT'S WHEN OBIE SAID TO NORMAN, 'WHIT, WHY DON'T YOU CUT SOMETHING ON US"
WE WERE RIDING BACK TO L.A. AND I TELLING WHIT MY THOUGHTS ON WHY HE SHOULD CUT THE TOPS. I DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING CAUSE HE HAD ALREADY MADE UP HIS MIND TO DO IT.
WHEN WE GOT BACK TO L.A. WHIT STARTED WORKING ON THE TRACKS AND CUTTING NEW TRACKS.
WHEN THE FELLAS CAME IN AND STARTED DOING THE VOCALS, ALL I WAS HEARING WAS HITS. I REMEMBER WE WERE DOING BACKGROUND VOCALS ( FEW SONGS I SANG BACKGROUND WITH THEM ) AND IT WAS GETTING LATE, NORMAN ASKED THEM IF THEY WERE TIRED, AND OBIE BLURTED OUT "HEY WHIT!!! I'M GONNA BE HERE TILL MY DREAM COMES TRUE, WE ALL LAUGHED LIKE HELL AND KEPT RIGHT ON WORKING. IT WAS A LOT OF FUN SO IT WASN'T LIKE WORK. BETWEEN LEVI, OBIE AND LAWRENCE AND MYSELF WE KNEW A LOT OF JOKES, AND WHIT CAN BE ABSOLUTLY FUNNY HIMSELF SO EVERYBODY WAS HAVING A GOOD TIME WHILE CUTTING SOME SERIOUS SERIOUS MUSIC.
A LOT OF LOVE AND LAUGHTER WENT INTO THOSE SESSIONS AND I AM HONORED TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THAT, SOMETHING I'LL NEVER FORGET AS LONG AS I LIVE.
SPYDER

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.168) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 03:33 pm:

Sunday Night England

Spyder - Thanks for sharing this latest Info, but sadly that is going back a while and still nothing has devloped - WE HAVE JUST FOR TO MAKE THIS PROJECT HAPPEN!

OUR LEVI - The Four Top and of course NORMAN deserve it and more so in this 50th ANNIVERSAY FOUR TOPS YEAR!

Kindest Regards - John

By Gee (24.236.160.80) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 11:10 am:

Still wating on Rene any word from her Spyder

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 06:34 pm:

YEA, SHE E-MAILED ME YESTERDAY AND TOLD ME SHE WAS COMING ON WHEN SHE GETS SOME TIME. BUSY LADY

By Bruce (66.142.157.100) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 01:55 pm:

hey Spyder, what ever became of Ed Wingate?

By SPYDER (209.240.205.62) on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 02:59 pm:

I DON'T KNOW, THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM WAS AT THE RACE TRACK IN L. A. A FEW YEARS AGO.