Ricky Drapkin / Old 45

**Cruisermike** · 03-27-2011, 10:50 PM

I saw an old 45 in the archives on this site...
Ricky Drapkin / Side A: "Now I'm A Man", Side B: "If That's What Makes Her Glad"
Does anyone recognize this?
What ever happened to Ricky Drapkin?
Is there any way I could get or download these 2 cuts from any source?
Our Band cut this record with Ricky, and the only copy I had was stolen along with most of my 45 r.p.m. record collection.
Any info would be greatly appreciated!

-CruiserMike

**robb_k** · 03-28-2011, 03:30 AM

Wow! I'd love to hear that! What label was it on? Was it from Detroit? I love his songwriting.

**robb_k** · 03-28-2011, 03:54 AM

I saw a single by Ricky Drapkin [[AKA Ricky Dee and Ricky Martell) on Patlow Records [["My Girl")-published by Harry Balk's Vicki Music. It was downloadable. Unfortunately, I couldn't find "Now I'm A Man".

**robb_k** · 03-28-2011, 04:00 AM

I'd like to see the scan of the label. But I can't even find the Archives. Did you see it only on the old SDF website? Can we still look there? If so, how do I get there?

**MIKEW-UK** · 03-28-2011, 06:26 AM

I think the easiest way to research the archives is by using keywords in Google....... an example follows.
His daughter posted on SFD in 2008, see this URL...maybe this helps?

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...w.google.co.uk

Also, as Ricky Drapkin co wrote with Clay McMurray, either Clay or Ralph T might be able to help on this.

You can hear the Patlow record here....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RICKY-DRAPKIN-...?pt=UK_Records

**Cruisermike** · 03-28-2011, 10:13 AM

robb_k,
Yes it was from Detroit. altogether we cut 4 different tracks with Ricky. The other cut was "My Girl". That was also lost in the theft of my other 45's..

**Cruisermike** · 03-28-2011, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by robb_k

I'd like to see the scan of the label. But I can't even find the Archives. Did you see it only on the old SDF website? Can we still look there? If so, how do I get there?

robb_k
Yes, It was on this SDF website I saw it just a couple of days ago, and about fell out of my chair! I'll look it up and get back to you with it.

**Cruisermike** · 03-28-2011, 11:25 AM

robb_k
Well, I found the thread, but the label scans don't come up. It's archived beginning May 30,2003, specifically April 24, 2003.
I remembered the 4th track we did with Ricky - - it was "Hey, Come-on & Dance". The band was "The Catalinas", consisting of: Gary Gould on lead guitar, Rich Edgar on rythm guitar, Mike Tansey on bass guitar [[me), Rich Dyke on sax, and Fred Torti on drums. They overdubbed back-up vocals, and some other instruments. We got hooked-up with Ricky thru Don Zee, the night d.j. on WXYZ radio. Don had a small studio in his basement, where we did other back-up sessions for new artists, but we didn't record with Ricky there. Those sessions were downtown.
We played a lot for the WXYZ jocks - - Lee Allen, Don Zee... Played at the Walled Lake Casino almost every weekend, also the Band Box, Club 182 on Plymouth Rd.... I have great memories of those times! Would sure like to find these old 45 tracks... If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated!
also, does anyone remember Rodney Knight & the Soul Sextet? He was a buddy of ours back then, and was playing some big venues, then suddenly disappeared... His real name was Rodney Robinson...
Best regards,
-Cruisermike

**robb_k** · 03-28-2011, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Cruisermike

robb_k
Well, I found the thread, but the label scans don't come up. It's archived beginning May 30,2003, specifically April 24, 2003.
I remembered the 4th track we did with Ricky - - it was "Hey, Come-on & Dance". The band was "The Catalinas", consisting of: Gary Gould on lead guitar, Rich Edgar on rythm guitar, Mike Tansey on bass guitar [[me), Rich Dyke on sax, and Fred Torti on drums. They overdubbed back-up vocals, and some other instruments. We got hooked-up with Ricky thru Don Zee, the night d.j. on WXYZ radio. Don had a small studio in his basement, where we did other back-up sessions for new artists, but we didn't record with Ricky there. Those sessions were downtown.
We played a lot for the WXYZ jocks - - Lee Allen, Don Zee... Played at the Walled Lake Casino almost every weekend, also the Band Box, Club 182 on Plymouth Rd.... I have great memories of those times! Would sure like to find these old 45 tracks... If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated!
also, does anyone remember Rodney Knight & the Soul Sextet? He was a buddy of ours back then, and was playing some big venues, then suddenly disappeared... His real name was Rodney Robinson...
Best regards,
-Cruisermike

Any relation to Rudy Robinson?

**Cruisermike** · 03-28-2011, 05:26 PM

Don't know... He lived with his dad back then... He was a great guitar player, and a super-good blue-eyed soul and R&B singer.

**ralpht** · 03-28-2011, 08:45 PM

Cruisedmike,
Interesting posts. I knew Ricky well. A very cordial and talented guy.
I see you played all the old haunts I played while in The Sunliners. In fact we met our future manager, Bob Brower, while playing 182 on a regular basis. Bob was one of the owners, and we would begin an interesting five year association with brower.

**Cruisermike** · 03-28-2011, 09:17 PM

ralpht,
I remember you guys! Didn't you play at Jack's Joint on John-R at some point in later years?
Ricky is a great dude, and yes, quite talented! I wonder what he's doin these days... I heard he was still around. We really enjoyed working with him. Would love to find copies of those old tracks...
You might also remember "Lenny & The Thundertones", & "Little Tom & His Valentines" . There's some old tracks of theirs on You Tube. You must also remember "Billy Lee & The Rivieras" [[Mitch Ryder) From Walled Lake....

**ralpht** · 03-28-2011, 11:11 PM

As mentioned, his daughter posted here a couple of years back. I'd have to see the thread, but it seems she did mention what he was up to and told me she would say hello for me.

Yeah, we played Jack's Joint a few times. It's funny, but what I remember, is first hearing Joey Dee and the Starlighters Peppermint Twist, there. Little did I know at the time that in a couple of years we would be backing the guy up at the Peppermint Lounge. Good memories,Mike. I'm sure you can relate.

Yes I got to know Mitch quite well when he was recording at Tera Shirma.

**Cruisermike** · 03-29-2011, 10:24 AM

ralph,
I sure can relate! We played Jacks Joint for a year and a half streight 6 nights a week. Whew! What a time! I'll bet we crossed paths a whole lot back then...
Do you still play? What's the situation like in Big D these days? I've been away for quite some time. I'm still gigin'.....

**ralpht** · 03-29-2011, 11:08 AM

You had quite a run at Jack's, Mike. Good gig. The only playing I'm doing these days is in the recording studio. I've been out of Detroit since 78, living in Monterey California. Where are you giging these days?

**Cruisermike** · 03-29-2011, 12:10 PM

I bugged out in '74 - moved to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee... I built a recording studio here and do video as well. I've recorded some notable talents here including Kenny Chesney. On a few cuts I played some guitar, bass and blues harps with him. He has since moved on to major label deals of course, but I still see him sometimes. He's a very talented dude and a nice guy.
I put a band together... we play locally... no more road trips for me... Just around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Knoxville area.The club scene is dismal here as far as live music. LIke most places, It's just D.J.'s or karaoke. I don't play clubs very often, they don't pay very well [[as you know), but there's a good bit of larger venues and corporate events in this area that DO pay pretty good... we don't play much country, mostly blues, R&B, rockabilly, oldies, and some classic rock.
There's a fair amount of work here near The Smokies... because of all the tourism - - Dollywood etc.... She was here just last weekend. Always draws a crowd!!!
What is your main instrument?