By steve w (152.163.188.68) on Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 02:01 pm:

Fred Bridges, just to let you know that the writing team of bridges/knight/easton is revered over here in England and the songs you turned out are much cherished.
"just lovin you" Ruby Andrews will still be filling dancefloors all over the North of England tonight as I write this (saturday) and still remains one of my personal top ten records in fact did Zodiac records ever put a bad record out ??
"Since I have been in love" by the Dramatics and "Footsteps" by the Creations are two other records that are much loved.
I do hope Richard Knight and Bob Eaton are well and you can all look back on your work with pride even on small labels like Boo and Shock and as I always say on here "thanks for the music"

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.23) on Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 02:11 pm:

Steve,
great record that you mention there by Ruby Andrews,I Still have my copy and it sounds as good today as when I first bought it many years ago.
As with all Bridges/knight/Easton material.
MEL.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.23) on Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 02:24 pm:

P.S.
As mentioned on another thread
the material on the Boo/Criss Cross label,
and the Brothers of Soul records.
As well as the Big Mack,ILL Be on my way record that was a huge rare/northern soul dancer.
The Name threw me on the other thread,now I realise just who were talking about here.
Also by Bridges/knight/Eaton all the aquarius
material.Didnt Ruby Andrews also do a version of Wonderful Night also done by Candace Love.
Mel.

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66) on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 02:59 am:

Mel,
I had the pleasure of meeting Fred in Detroit this September and played him the Bob & Fred song - he said with certainty that it's not him and Bob Eaton singing on that one.

Graham

By Joe Moorehouse (64.12.97.7) on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 08:42 am:

Since the writers on I'll Be on My Way are listed as B. Thomas and F. Brown, I've always figured the guys on the record are Bob Thomas and Fred Brown--not that I have any idea who they might be. Presumably Ed McCoy would know, as might one M. Brisker, who is responsible for the arrangement.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.96) on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 09:51 am:

Many thanks fellas,
MEL.

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66) on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 10:03 pm:

Joe - I spoke to the late Fred Brown's son while I was in Detoit and he told me his father never sang on any recordings.
I also spoke to the Rev. McCoy (on the phone) and wanted to meet him - but ran out of time. I hope to call him soon to ask about it and will keep you posted.
Cheers, Graham

By Ed Wolfrum (165.247.228.73) on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 10:30 pm:

Here's a shot of Fred Bridges at United Sound circa 1968 or so.

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.40.216) on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 04:00 am:

Ed,

Fred has a look on his face as if to say "Now what?"

This seems to be the case with his wonderful challange, to the forum, to communicate with him.

Everyone has flooded him with interest, and he has "PULLED A MIKE MCLEAN" and gone off to lick his wounds.

I hope he comes back!

That's a mighty nice looking Fairchild 670 limiter behind you, below the big Scully transport!

That is a real classic. One can still get the story on that item by contacting an old fellow at the AES by the name of Don Plunkett. He was the President of Fairchild Recording Equipment Corp. at the time that this classic was in the catalog.

Further, on the day my Father died, in 1970, he was in Detroit, working for Harvey Radio, in New York, and he called me and asked me to dinner. When I told him of my loss, he backed off, but I insisted that we go to dinner anyway. This was the first and only time that he made such an offer.

We had a fine dinner at Topinkas on West Grand Blvd., which was, at the time, one of the most reliable and wonderful Detroit upscale restaurants. It was no London Chop House, but it was a sensible delight. It was within walking distance of Hitsville (between Hitsville and the General Motors Corporation World Headquarters building.)

Don Boehret and I used to love to go to lunch at the GM cafeteria, in the basement of the General Motors Building. It was intended for GM employees, but it was open to the public. Talk about a first class place to get a fine home cooked meal for a sensible price!

Upstairs, we would linger at the General Motors Exibit, on the first floor. A typical loaded Cadillac, with all the trimmings, would have a sticker price of about $8,500. including a 470 cubic inch V-8, and genuine leather upolstery, heated by wires in the cushions.

Mike McLean

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 09:50 am:

Hi Joe,

Wasn't Fred Brown the guy who owned the Kable
and Ring labels ? I've a feeling he was the
manager of J J Barnes and Martha Reeves' old
group the Del-Phis - this would have been around
1961 - 2.

By Joe Moorehouse (152.163.188.68) on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 02:31 pm:

Hi Davie. I just picked up Mel Anton's single on Kable, which lists F. Brown as co-writer of both sides as well as A&R (along with J. Barnes, who is presumably J.J.), so you're probably right.

By the way, I've thought of you a few times recently when I've run across label addresses you may need. E-mail me you're full label list sometime when you have a chance, and maybe I can help with an item or two.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.10) on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 02:53 pm:

Mr.Moorehouse,
if you get the time at some stage,
would it be possible for you to e.mail me that info regards Ed Crook,
that we spoke about in the past.I would be very grateful indeed.
Mel.

By steve w (152.163.188.68) on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 02:57 pm:

Ed, thanks for sharing a wonderful picture, it just wants to make me go to my collection and play some of those great sounds to come out of united sound, and like Mike says I'm sure Fred eventually got the mix right

By soul councillor (193.113.48.9) on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 06:34 pm:

Ruby Andrews filled the floor at Bonnyrigg(Scotland)Soul Club.Usual clap of appreciation at the end of this superb slab of soul.On a duller note I have asked my family that I'll Be On My Way is played at my funeral.Sorry for being morbid but it could spark an interesting thread as to which sounds we would like to go out with

By Joe Moorehouse (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 07:07 pm:

Hi Mel. I'd be happy to e-mail you, but I can't seem to get an address for you from your posts on this thread. Drop me a line at jmoorehous@aol.com. Thanks.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.80) on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 12:31 am:

Mr.Moorehouse,
Many thanks,
I will mail you with due haste.
Mel.