Tommy Neal

[jsmith]

The 1967 single released on Tommy Neal has endured well down the years. It enjoyed 3 different US releases at the time and sold quite well if all three are grouped together. It didn't escape in the UK until 1968 but became an instant Brit soul club dance floor anthem. Very few soul 45's put out in the UK at that time received any promotion here at all and had to fend for themselves, sales wise. Because of this, many went completely 'under the radar' and [[at the time) sold very few copies.
This fate did not befall Tommy's 45. It was on a lesser UK label as far as soul releases were concerned [[again in sales terms) & it was by a completely unknown artist, yet it sold well. It received little or no UK radio airplay but was massive in the clubs. So much so, that just about every UK soul fan who bought 45's at the time soon had a copy of this 45. It sold so well, that when the first UK soul bootleg label was created [[SOUL SOUNDS) and 30 x 45's were made available [[29 of them having enjoyed official UK 45 release already), Tommy's effort wasn't included as there little or no 'pent-up' demand for it.
Down the years, new fans of his vinyl efforts came on board, making reissues necessary. All in all, counting US issues & radio stn copies, UK issues, demos, re-releases & bootlegs, the 45 now exists in 10 different incarnations.
So, it's popularity has endured and it sold in decent numbers in both the US & UK, yet Tommy never got to make a follow up release. He'd started out in a group [[the Majestics), so already had studio experience ... so why was he never taken back into the studio ?
NUDA QUESTION -- I've seen it written that he was well known as a night club singer around Detroit back in the mid to late 60's ... is that so & if yes, which venues did he get to play [[20 Grand, Chit Chat, Phelps ?).