Just some of the great Holidays’ - plural - records. The four
guys are Joe Billingslea, Maurice Wise, Jimmy Holland and his
brother Jack: The New Holidays that recorded “Maybe So Maybe
No”.
INTRODUCTION
The Holidays - there seems to have been a
gazillion US groups with that name. So, it probably won’t be a
big surprise to read that there wasn’t just one in Detroit - or
two - or three. Consequently it’s long and, at times,
complicated story, but as the layers of their histories are
peeled back, a web of connections, deals and talent is revealed,
sprinkled with a little intrigue.
Weaving through the story is the singers’ common goal:
chasing a dream and having a good time; creating music and
hopeful of getting a smash hit. The 60s was an exciting decade
and they were making the most of it - something that’s palpable
when you hear their recordings.
Unluckily, success proved to be elusive – except for “I’ll Love
You Forever” - mainly because of a lack of concerted promotion
and airplay, compounded by a shortage of cash. But the good news
is: the music lives on.
“Maybe So Maybe No”
& “I’ll Love You Forever”
CLICK^ TO LISTEN |
And what great music it is: from 1950’s doo-wop to funky
mid-70’s Soul - running the whole gamut of Detroit’s history of
rhythm and blues. And it’s no wonder the songs sound so good -
Detroit’s legendary session musicians played on many of the
tracks and some of the city’s best arrangers were involved: Joe
Hunter, Sonny Sanders, Mike Terry and Dale Warren; plus
songwriters like Tony Hester, Steve Mancha, George Clinton,
Popcorn Wylie, Don Davis and Leon Ware.
And then there were the iconic local recording companies -
Golden World, Groove City, Master, Revilot, Soul Hawk and more -
that released recordings by The Holidays, The Hollidays, The New
Holidays, The Royal Holidays, The Four Hollidays and The
Fabulous Holidays.
When you open each web page, you should automatically hear
segments of their songs – some preceded by comments from the
singers. Alternatively, you can click on a comprehensive
selection listed on the Discography page. There’s also a list at
the foot of that page detailing CDs featuring a few of these
songs, just in case you wish to hear them completely. Please
drop us a line if you know of any others that are available.
As I said, it’s a pretty complicated story. But if it gets a bit
too complex you can simply check the Discography page to readily
see who was singing in which group.
Enjoy. And turn the volume up.
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