|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Mike
Hanks Story
Introduction
|
|
Mike
and just some of his music
|
The
Motor City was no longer the world's premier recording
center when Mike Hanks was gunned down outside the 20 Grand
in 1970. Detroit's hit-making days of the 60's had gone,
and Mike's tragic murder seemed to emphasize the fact.
Although
he produced numerous recordings and had national hits with
Lee Rogers and The Fantastic Four, Mike never got close to
enjoying the kind of success that Motown garnered with their
more refined brand of Detroit Soul. The reason could be that
Mike's music was just too raw and spirited for the
mass-market. Or that providence chose to look the other way.
Or maybe that Detroit wasn't a totally level playing field
for the city's recording businesses.
It's
now over thirty years since Mike's death, yet there's
been virtually nothing written about his significant work as
a songwriter, producer and recording company boss. This
tribute aims to give Mike his overdue props and attempts to
de-mystify the man behind those legendary Detroit record
labels: D-Town and Wheelsville USA. And also to highlight
some of the affiliated recording artists and talented
musicians that helped Mike create great music throughout
that special decade: the Sixties.
Notes thanks to Graham
Finch
image must not be
reproduced, used or copied photograph
credits at end of webisode
|
DESIGN AND
GRAPHICS BY
LOWELL BOILEAU
|
|
|
|
|
|
DESIGN
AND GRAPHICS BY
LOWELL BOILEAU
|
This website is dedicated to Detroit, Soul Music, 45 RPM, Northern
Soul and the great Motown era of Detroit Musics. It covers Golden
World, Tamla, Wheelsville, Robert West, Darrell Banks, Johnnie
Mae Matthews, Rose Battiste, Tera Shirma, Fred Bridges, Supremes,
Stevie Wonder, Edwin Starr, Funk Brothers, Dennis Coffey, Bob
Babbitt, James Jamerson, Twisted Wheel, Wiggan Casino and many
more Detroit Souls topics. |
|