By Flash (12.89.130.145 - 12.89.130.145) on Saturday, November 17, 2001 - 02:47 am:

Does anyone know what ever happened to Al Kent after Ric Tic shut down. Is he still alive?

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Saturday, November 17, 2001 - 07:22 am:

Al went to Motown and also did work for some other Detroit labels/companies such as Westbound. He's still in Detroit and I've heard he's writing a book about his times in the music biz.
His brothers, Bob and Eugene (aka Ronnie Savoy), also worked for Ed Wingate.
Graham

By Flash (12.89.73.69 - 12.89.73.69) on Sunday, November 18, 2001 - 05:37 am:

I would like to get a copy of Al Kent's book when it goes on the market. I grew up in Philly. My brother and I were really into You've Got To Pay the Price back in 66. I know that he produced some Edwin Starr sides for Ric Tic, Stop Her On Sight, a great song.

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 05:02 am:

His real name is Al Hamilton and he did a lot of work for Ric-Tic - they are really nice songs. Dennis Coffey is the guitarist on Pay The Price - and he is also writing a book.
Graham

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.4 - 62.252.128.4) on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 02:43 pm:

flash
thanks for joining the discussion.

i wonder if you've heard the vocal version by gloria taylor?

it was released on 3 different labels glo-whiz, silver fox and king soul.

fantastic song.

By flash (12.89.170.129 - 12.89.170.129) on Friday, November 23, 2001 - 04:05 am:

I know that the song exists and I have a DJ friend who has it. I'm hoping that he can find it. It seems that he misplaced it among his thousands of soul 45's from the 60's. I've seen his collection and it takes up an entire room in his house. It's easy to see how it could get misplaced.

By the way, there are a number of British web site dedicated to Northern Soul that have audio downloads. One actually takes requests. If anyone wants those web addresses, I can post them if that's okay with the web master.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.7.50.244 - 62.7.50.244) on Friday, November 23, 2001 - 08:37 am:

please post, especially the one that takes requests. that's really novel.

thanks david

By acooolcat (211.78.0.219 - 211.78.0.219) on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 01:46 pm:

There was a voice mail message from Al on my machine when I got home tonight; I'll tell him about this site when I return his call - hopefully he has access to a 'puter and can join in the fun.
Graham

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.38.67 - 213.122.38.67) on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 01:56 pm:

now i might just fall off my seat again!

thanks for that news graham. be sure to tell him we're thinking of him.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 02:01 pm:

Al Kent too? Who else do we need to get on the board for a You Got To Pay The Price reunion?

(And if Ian Levine's reading - no you CAN'T re-cut it. For god's sake leave that one alone!)

By Carl Dixon (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 02:05 pm:

Al Kent - please come on say Hi! You were the reason I found this wonderful web site. The icing would be sweeter still!

By acooolcat (211.78.0.219 - 211.78.0.219) on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 04:58 am:

I spoke with Al last night - unfortunatel y he doesn't have a computer.
He's in the advanced stages of his book, which will focus on his early New York days and his time at Golden World in Detroit. It should make interesting reading as his late brother Bobby was the Musical Director for Ed Wingate and had a hand in most of the label's releases. An underated guy.
Graham

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 01:46 pm:

It's a Shame he is computerless! He must pay the price, maybe, and get one so he can join us for a wag on the forum! It is still great to know he is active and writing a book for us all to look forward to.

By Lowell (165.121.214.228 - 165.121.214.228) on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 02:17 pm:

system test - please ignore

By phillysoulman (205.188.192.53 - 205.188.192.53) on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 03:30 pm:

Maybe Al can go to his local library or a Kinko's copy centre and use their computr to contact us. Yes, we would all be so honouredindeed!!!!
The library computers are free and Kinko's is 20 cents per minute or 12 dollars per hour.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 03:34 pm:

Indeed he could use those facilities and learn how revered he is, via this forum and maybe mention soulfuldetroit in his book!!

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.194.204 - 152.163.194.204) on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 09:49 pm:

Hey Richie. I guess I would have to be at that Got to Pay the Price reunion since I was playing the melody on that record:<)

Dennis Coffey

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 10:07 pm:

Dennis

Damn right! When I said "Al Kent too" I meant we had your good self onboard already!

PS - that record is still a killer in my estimation.

\image {pay the price}

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 10:08 pm:

OOPS

By ed wolfrum (165.121.215.144 - 165.121.215.144) on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 02:12 am:

Hello Guys,

I have an actual picture of the "Got to Pay the Price" session at UNITED. Al Kent can be seen in the studio as a wide shot. I remember we did the session in the morning, it that right Dennis? I think Danny finished the session as I had a film project booked that day and had to work on that.

Further, regarding the Al Kent sessions Artie Fields tells me that he worked with Al on the Spanky Wilson project for Armin with Al Kent.

I remember that he had a "thing" for Norma Tony, a writer at GW and eventually married her. Artie told me some sad stories about Norma as he had seen her during the Spanky Wilson sessions. I think you were on those at Artie's too Dennis.

Best,
Ed Wolfrum

P.S. Does anyone know what happened to Norma Tony and is Al still married to her? Is she still writing?

By Dennis Coffey (206.47.172.178 - 206.47.172.178) on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 02:28 am:

Hi Ed. Yes I remember the session. I also remember working at Artie Fields studio from time to time. Mike and I also produced Chris Peterson for Artie.

Dennis Coffey

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 04:25 am:

Ed, I know Al would love to see that picture - one of the reasons he phoned me was to ask for copies of clips/photos I have. If you contact me off-list I'll give you Al's phone number - if you don't already have it.
acooolcat@yahoo.com
Best wishes, Graham

By Ken Sands (63.212.148.148 - 63.212.148.148) on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 10:00 pm:

Hi Ed,
I was the engineer on Spanky Wilsons album for
Armen in 1973 when I was Arties chief engineer.
Ken

By Ken Sands (63.212.148.148 - 63.212.148.148) on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 10:07 pm:

Dennis, Hey!
Were you on the Fantastic Fours record,I Love You Madly.....I recorded that at Magic City Records Studio on four track and Al Kent produced it for Ed Wingate on an 8 track transfer at United when they got their first 8 track machine installed by
Bill Beltz!
Ken