By fayette (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 11:03 pm:

i was listening to some songs by lenny welch
earlier today, and thought to myself
he should've been right up there with nat
king cole. can you think you anyone in your
opinion, that should have been much more
famous then they were, in the 60's,70's and
80's

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 11:37 pm:

Besides Lenny Welch
Mel Carter
Pheobo Bryson
Jeffery Osborne
Big Maybelle
Little Jimmy Scott
Freddy Scott
Derek Martin
Walter Jackson
Timothy Wilson
Eddie Holman
and many more!

S.S.

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 11:42 pm:

Forgot the late great Johnny Hartman, who never got his just do also Jesse Belvin and Little Miss Cornshucks!!! Perhaps Tommy Edwards, and Joe Hinton.

S.S.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:00 am:

Definitely, Jesse Belvin; also, Garnet Mimms; Darlene Love; Kenny Martin...

Nolan Strong.

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:03 am:

Definately Garnet Mimms, Fury13.

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:05 am:

Anyone remember Toussaint McCall?

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:14 am:

Fury13;
Most definately, "Nothing Takes The Place Of You"! He was an important all around music man in New Orleans.
S.S.

By fayette (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:43 am:

fury tousaint mcall did NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE OF YOU.i always thought garnet mims did FOR
YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE better then jerry butler

By Just Average Larry (68.164.129.93) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:04 am:

I was ready to confess my soul when I thought the thread said "It should have been bigger".

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 06:06 am:

JAL...wow

Soul Sister...I've felt the same way about Jeffrey Osbourne for a long time.

I also think that Phil Perry is a great singer who is underrated.

By Ram Rod (151.197.113.61) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 07:05 am:

Was Jeffrey Osbournes bigger???
He shoulda been right up there with Ron Jeremy then!!!!

By CORNBREAD (66.185.84.74) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 07:23 am:

Ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!!! Ram Rod

By ~~medusa~~ (68.248.2.146) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 08:14 am:

Everything should B BIGGER!!!!!!
I meant 2 say everyone that's not or weren't BIG, should B BIGGER and should've been BIGGER!
can't just name a few U know there are lots of musicians that really didn't get their props and didn't bother 2 blow their own horn, but we know who they R...ok just 2 name a few
Glenn Jones
Miles Jaye
Oleta Adams
Phyllis Hyman
Fantastic 4
Detroit Emeralds
Freddie Knight
and of course Detroit's own Dramatics & Enchantment.
I think Ulanda(Yolanda) McCullough is doing some back up singing or something like that. At lest the last time I saw her.
..and 2 this day, I could never understand how did Barry Manilow out do Englebert Humperdinck!

By stephanie (68.50.216.139) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 09:33 am:

I definitely think the Dramatics should have been bigger they defined soul along with the Dells..the Dells are critics darlings but they really dont get their props as much as they should and that is why Im glad the Five Heartbeats came out. Those guys are like the four tops the originals have been together a long time and they seem to be good friends and when they come to Washington DC they always sell out,,,,
Stephanie

By Moanman (24.44.218.110) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 09:59 am:

Donny Hathaway

Maxayn (Lewis) Incredible pipes, range & songwriting skillz.

Syreeta (ditto), I'll say it again, SYREETA!

Tata Vega

Lonnie Liston Smith

Regina Belle

Caron Wheeler (of Soul II Soul)

Patrice Rushen

Rickie Lee Jones

Angela Bofill

Will Downing

Rachelle Farrell

Temprees

Digable Planets

Roy Ayers

Bobby Lyle

Odyessy (sp?)

Juggy Murray Jones

Black Ivory

Hot Chocolate

Eloise Laws

Kenny Rankin (fantastic range, shoulda been included in that other thread. My Bad!)

Nona Hendryx

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 10:55 am:

How many have heard the Rocky Fellers? They only
had one major hit--"Killer Joe" on Scepter in
1963. But the lead singer, Albert Maligmat,
was only 10!!!! What a voice! They had an
LP and all their Scepter recordings are on
a CD on Westside in England.
This kid could really belt it out!!! I'm
telling you it is ashame someone didn't get
behind these Filipino brothers like Motown
did with the Jacksons. They cut a version
of "Lonely Teardrops" which was on the B side
of "Killer Joe" which is just incredible.
They really should have been much, much
bigger.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:04 am:

Randy:
I remember playing the Rocky Fellers' "Killer Joe" when I was in radio during the 1980s. The single was also featured on the Scepter/Wand boxed set Warner Brothers issued in 1991. If I do recall their father was a member of the group as well.

Albert did have a stong voice at such a young age. Unfortunately, because Scepter/Wand didn't have the financial budget that Atlantic Records had the label didn't support the Rocky Fellers the way they could market the Kingsmen or Dionne Warwick.

I'd be curious to hear what "Lonely Teardrops" sounds like. Is their CD on Westside still available?

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:12 am:

Here's my list of acts who should've had greater success:
Rotary Connection
Vibrations
Style Council
Laura Nyro (she had more success as a songwriter but should've had hits on her own, too)
Flaming Ember
Artistics
Billy Butler & the Enchanters
Eddie Bo ("The Hook & Sling" was a Top 20 R&B hit that should've crossed over)
Willie Tee

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By caliluv (63.251.57.2) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:12 am:

Definitely, Garnett Mimms. Also Glenn Jones.

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:13 am:

Let me chime in with someone who I mentioned on the "Blow that sax" thread but got little response.......Sil Austin. My dad owned his "Plays Pretty for the People" LP (which is not on CD, sadly) and it is some great, mellow stuff (If you love Hawkins' "At Ease With Coleman Hakwins" album you'll love this stuff)......outstanding versions of "Danny Boy" and other R&B tunes........Austin is another guy who I wish was better represented on CD. Along with The Flamingos, Brook Benton and a few others, he signifies romantic 50s r&b for me.

There was a terribly produced Austin CD a few years ago on the Sun label........but that's it.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:21 am:

KevGo, yes, the CD is still available.
Their 2nd single, "Like The Big Guys Do",
charted and reached #55. Why it was
not included on the Scepter box set
on Capricorn, I think ,is unbelievable.
Also, nothing from Tammy Montgomery on
there. It's a little disappointing.
Yes, their dad played bass and was in
the group, but, according to them, did
not sing on the records. They also
recorded two of Neil Diamond's early
compositions. Their rendition of "Little
Darlin'" is just remarkable. The youngest,
Eddie, does the high parts and is right on
key! The kid was only eight!!!!

By Moanman (24.44.218.110) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:59 am:

Me' shell Ndegeocello

Dionne Farris

Cheryl Lynn

Jennifer Holiday

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 01:40 pm:

Kev-Go;
Thanks for mentioning The Vibrations, they had some awesome ballads, plus their uptempo number "My Girl Sloopy" was huge in the east and on the jukeboxes around 1965 and beyond.
S.S.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 01:44 pm:

Soul Sister:
Carl Davis produced the Vibrations' "Misty" and stands out as one of my favorite Okeh productions from the mid 1960s.

It's hard to believe this was the same group that later recorded "There's Love Up In Them Hills" in 1968-69 (produced by Gamble & Huff). They sound like two different bands.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 02:08 pm:

Barbara Jean English. I love every single one of her songs.

70s Miracles - if it weren't for the fact that they were named the Miracles, and therefore had the spectre of their huge 60s success lingering over, they would have been a dynamic group with a fresh sound, they indeed were, but they would have been recognized as such.

Patti Drew

Barbara Lewis

JJ Barnes

DEON JACKSON

The Glasshouse

The 60s Whispers (they became fairly successful later, of course, but there 60s output is just gorgeous).

The Originals

Syreeta

By caliluv (63.251.57.2) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 02:11 pm:

The Supremes - Post Diana Ross

By rockfan (67.217.61.83) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 02:53 pm:

What ever happened to the Rocky Fellers? I loved "Killer Joe". I was about the same age as the lead singer on that at the time. Where is he now? I had the 45 and wore it out!

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:05 pm:

RockFan: the Rocky Fellers are alive and well,
but haven't been performing as the Rocky Fellers
since the '60s. Albert, the lead singer, is
still singing. He does a lot of R&B and gospel
and performs all over, based in Hawaii and
currently works a lot of corporate conventions
held there. His brother Eddie, the youngest, is
also in Hawaii and is a bass player, very
popular and much in demand for recordings and
working with various entertainers. The two
older brothers, Junior & Tony, are both in
L.A. and Tony is also musically active while
Jun (Jr.) is retired and takes care of their
mother. They also have about 5 sisters!
Pop, their dad, passed away at 92 in 1996, I
believe. I am hopeful they will reunite for
a PBS special. If you want that to happen
PLEASE email T.J. Lubinsky--tjlubens@wqed.com
and let him know you want to see them.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:09 pm:

T.J. Lubinsky's email is: tjlubens@wqed.com

Thank you to everyone who emails him requesting
this group reunite.

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:12 pm:

Hey, Nish.....I've always been curious about the Whispers early recordings. What can you tell me about them? Who would you compare their sound to? And is this stuff available? Thanks for the info.

I agree with your Deon Jackson choice, too. He sort of sounded like Smokey......not so much as Harry Ray did with The Moments.....but more like a rougher-around-the-edges Smokey.

Brenton Wood is another soulful guy who should've gone on to bigger things.

By Nish (216.148.246.134) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:34 pm:

Galactus, the Whispers stuff is like a soulful throwback to doo-wop harmony, LA style. that's the best little nutshell I have for it. They have really great midtempos like "Needle In A Haystack" or "The Dip." Walter Scott's falsetto was an absolute jewel on the high notes, and I still think the Whispers harmony is so beautiful. One small comp of their early stuff is titled something about Early Spins and New Gold or something like that, I have it, but I don't have it in front of me right now.

By caliluv (63.251.57.2) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:38 pm:

I Only Meant to Wet My Feet was a good single for them.

By caliluv (63.251.57.2) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:39 pm:

also "Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong"

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:43 pm:

Even earlier, "Sitting All Alone," "I Was Born When You Kissed Me," etc.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:50 pm:

The Four Sonics
Stanley Mitchell
Nathaniel Mayer

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 03:59 pm:

Fury 13:
Amen to the Four Sonics mention. BTW I did speak to Jay Johnson when I was in Detroit but because of the Blackout I wasn't able to meet up with him. I'll catch him the next time around and in the meantime keep in touch with him via phone.

Thanks again for passing on his particulars to me.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By john dixon (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 04:05 pm:

If he hadn't been tormented by mental illness and other personal demons, James Carr certainly could have been the greatest Southern Soul singer of them all. One of his best songs is eerily prophetic, "You Got My Mind Messed Up".
Already a valued session player while still in his teens at Muscle Shoals, Jerry Wexler called Eddie Hinton "the Wonderboy". He could do it all: play great lead guitar, write hit songs for the likes of Percy Sledge and Dusty Springfield, with a natural aptitude for arranging, and blessed with a singular voice that made him, without anyone close, the most rural black sounding white guy ever to sing soul music. In his book, "Say It One Time For The Broken Hearted", Barney Hoskins said that if frayed rope could sing, it would sound like Otis or Eddie Hinton. Eddie was like at least one person we all knew; while most of us made it through the drug experimentation phase pretty much intact, Eddie was never the same. All that potential tragically wasted. He was homeless for a time before dying at age 41 of a heart attack. If you like your soul music southern-fried, check out some of the excellent CDs he left behind as a testament to his great talent, like "Very Blue Highway", the autobiographical "Hard Luck Guy", and "Very Extremely Dangerous".

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 04:08 pm:

You're welcome Kevin.

By TonyRussi (68.210.10.156) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 04:47 pm:

John Dixon, thanks for the info on Eddie Hinton.I agree with you about James Carr...I was lucky enough to be on the same stage with him on a "package"show starring Wilson Pickett. When James Carr came off stage he was upset with himself saying"I'm not singing, its like I'm talkin'" ect ect. I went up to him & told him how great I thought he was & he hugged me.He seemed like a tortured soul. It was years later that I heard he had problems, maybe mental depression that was not treatable or heard of back then.

By fayette (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 05:00 pm:

eli, i think blue magic should have been bigger
(don't know why they weren't)dynamic superiors
alexander o'neal and cherelle, full force,
latimore and tamia(is she still recording)

By STUBASS (206.135.204.254) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 05:03 pm:

I THINK THAT CUTE LITTLE ACTOR...HERVE VILLACHESE...SHOULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER!!!...STUBASS

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 05:19 pm:

Nish,

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for those early Whispers tunes.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 05:50 pm:

Fayette:
Tamia has a new single that is currently available. Her new album will be released within the next two to three weeks.

John Dixon/Randy Russi:
I had no idea James Carr was mentally ill. He was a hell of a singer and I love his Goldwax recordings to death. No one can sing "At The Dark End Of The Street" with as much conviction as Mr. Carr. Reading this bit of info is saddening and makes the subject matter of his music even more poignant.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Jan (217.8.173.118) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 06:09 pm:

Toussaint McCall - mentioned much earlier, does anyone remember him making a very unlikely comeback and cameo in the film ' Hairspray' by the eccentric Baltimore based director John Waters ?

I think Waters must love ' Nothing Takes the Place of You' as much as many of us old soul fans and decided to the give Toussaint the spotlight and hopefully some well earned royalties/ appearance money ( it's on the soundtrack too )

By g-wiz (68.43.16.115) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 06:39 pm:

how about innervision,
from detroit around 75-77 they were on private stock and ariola,,had a song called gotta find away to get back home,was great,,,,

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 08:25 pm:

Jan, yeah, "Hairspray" is a great movie. Although it's supposed to be set in 1963, McCall's song is from 1967. I guess John Waters just liked it!

The entire soundtrack is topnotch... I mean, "I'm Blue" by the Ikettes? "Shake A Tail Feather" by the Five Du-Tones (the superior version... crushes J&B Purify's rendition like a grape)? Fantastic.

And how about the bit part from Ruth Brown as the disk jockey, Motormouth Mabel?

By Sue (205.188.200.28) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 10:18 pm:

Waters has them doing "The Madison" in "Hairspray," too ...

By CORNBREAD (66.185.84.74) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 11:47 pm:

Has anyone mentioned the great Lou Johnson. He probably got pigeonholed as a demo singer for Bacharach & David .

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 01:43 am:

Kev-Go;
Ricky Owens played me a demo of "Misty" with his echoing High Tenor, befor it was recorded and it blew me away.
S.S.

By Tony Russi (68.210.10.156) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 08:41 am:

Cornbread, you are so right about Lou Johnson...a dynamic singer.His "Kentucky Bluebird" is just fantastic....later the labels read "Message to Martha" which was ofcourse "Message to Michael" by Dionne Warwick.He had the origial "Reach Out For Me" on Big Top I think in '63 but to me he will always have the Defenitive version of "There Is Always Something There To Remind Me".

By jmorti (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 09:33 am:

Soul Sister, (you guys are probably tired of this question)But I remember Ricky and the Vibrations as dynamic performers and consumate professionals, so of course i am curious about his experience with the Tempts, so far we only have one side, does he talk about it? And is he still performing?

By Soul Sister (65.43.148.15) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 10:39 am:

imoti;
I wish the Vibrations were still performing. I'm not in touch with Ricky, it was 1966 when I spoke with him. But I'll ask Eli, as he & Vonnie are here at my house visiting Jimmy & I. Eli worked with them back in the day.
S.S.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 11:42 am:

Tony & Cornbread:
Lou Johnson's work was prominently featured on the Burt Bacharach boxed set Rhino released a few years ago. It contains his original "Kentucky Bluebird/Message To Martha".
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By TonyRussi (68.210.10.156) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 11:46 am:

Thanks Kevin, I'll see if I can order that locally as my "Always Something..."45 is about worn out and I loved Lou Johnsons voice.

By Eli (65.43.148.15) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 11:49 am:

Imoti,

Sadly, Ricky passed away in 1996.
His son was evasive about its cause.

IMO, the Vibrations were THE most under rated group out there.
In fact, the Tempts "borrowed" the Vibrations Sloop Dance and named it the Temptation Walk, and Paul Williams "borrowed" his mannerisms directly from Don Bradley.

By Moanman (24.44.218.110) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 12:19 pm:

How About These Cats:

The Futures--

I loved their sound, the tightness of the harmonies, the lyrics, especially their cut, "Love Is Here." IMO it's one of the best (& underrated) R & B ballads out there, past or present. Yet so few people have even HEARD of it. My older brother told me he'd lost his virginity w/ that tune playing in the background. He even hired a singer to perform it at his wedding. The song itself was so beautiful & fitting.

Yeah, The Futures. Does anyone know whatever happened to those cats? They most definitely should've been BIGGER in the biz!

By Jmorti (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 03:16 pm:

Moanman, I believe the bass singer currently with the Tempts is from the Futures (Harry McGilberry)
Soul Sister & Eli; Thanx for the info on Ricky Owens. Didn't Otis mention in his book that the Vibrations were a group that the Tempts didn't like running into?

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 03:22 pm:

The Futures did a single with Barbara Mason
and there was a talk of an album. This
was in the 70s on Buddah.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 06:36 pm:

The correct, I hope, email address for the
PBS specials: tjlubins@wqed.org
Sorry if the one above didn't work and,
again, thanks to anyone requesting the
Rocky Fellers.
The Valentinos (aka Womack Bros.)-Bobby,
Curtis, Friendly, & Cecil are also
interested in reuniting for a special.
And, as a group, they should have been
bigger.

By RD (65.150.229.43) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 11:04 pm:

The Dramatics redid "Love Is Here" but their version pales in comparison to the Futures' original. The Futures were one of the best of the Temptations' clones groups. Unfortunately none of the labels they were with ever got behind them.

By STUBASS (198.81.26.170) on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 11:45 pm:

DOLLY PARTONS...STAX!!!...