By Fred (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 10:53 pm:

I thought I posted this a couple hours ago, but I guess I hit the wrong button.

On a Southern Soul message group, someone mentioned the cover of the Eddie Floyd "Knock on Wood" LP, which showed Eddie, wearing a pretty sharp suit, in the woods about to swing an axe at a tree. The poster went on to say that this cover would have violated Motown "policy" by showing a "lethal weapon," in this case the axe, (which, because of the way Eddie is handling it, was more likely to end up in his shin than the tree).

Was there a formal policy at Motown about limitations on cover art?

If not, are there any examples that would violate it?

By Reese (204.152.12.5) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 09:38 am:

This mention of album cover policy is taken straight from the 1983 TV show AMERICA'S MUSIC: SOUL, hosted by Leon Isaac Kennedy. Performers on this episode were Gladys Knight and the Pips, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Freda Payne, Percy Sledge, and Jerry Butler.

At one point, they showed a montage of soul music album covers. And they showed Eddie Floyd's KNOCK ON WOOD. Then Leon mentioned that Motown had a policy against showing artists with weapons that could kill. He thought that was strange because their (Motown's) music was meant to slay you. At this time, the album cover MEET THE SUPREMES flashed on screen.

I've never heard of such a policy at Motown, and to my mind, there would be no reason for one. I honestly see no reason for any of their artists to be holding a gun or a knife or any other weapons. I can't think of any Motown hits that would inspire such a cover.

Just my opinion.

By LG Nilsson (212.247.9.242) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 09:49 am:

"War" by Edwin Starr could have a weapon on it... But they chose a peace sign instead... that's good!

Lars

By Fred (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:00 am:

Thanks, Reese.