Originally Posted by
snakepit
Ivy probably had a 7 year artists contract, dating from 1964.?
Berry and Motown's top brass were showing less and less interest in Detroit operations, and they had a non creative person in charge of A&R...Ralph Seltzer I think. The remaining artists didn't like him or the situation they were left with.
I think Ivy was in the unfortunate position of fighting the Detroit corner, with Gordy uninterested . No doubt Ivy was seen as chief complainer...read Raynoma's book.
He probably asked for his artist contract back as nothing had been released, and as a result , 2 45s were issued on VIP. Probably saved the company money, which by 1970/71 it seems that the bean counters were firmly in charge in Detroit.
The A&R guys were asked why they wanted a piano!!
The Mickey Stevenson situation is unclear..did he leave or was he pushed, it depends on whose version you read.
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