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Rare Earth was a small business ...
Rare Earth, what a flashback! I LOVED Rare Earth. I loved the 1970's, hated the '80's, sort of liked the '90's and despise the 2000's.
Why? Too many societal pushes towards changing what we "should" or "should not" be doing. Sure, fuel sources need to change, but when our society started to walk away from our love affair with our CARS AND TRUCKS, we lost our national drive. A play on words perhaps, but it's true.
Buses and light rail may make sense in high density areas. Moving goods across country makes the most sense on heavy rail. But - true entrepeneurs and risk takers, will fly on a moments notice, in their cars or trucks, to get to the next appointment, the next business meeting, the next opportunity.
I believe small businesses will save this country. Hard work, energy, and face-to-face, person-to-person enthusiasm will wake all of us up. The internet is a wonderful tool, but it will never replace the need to see one another in person. That human click is where we go from now on.
Turn up your stereo, and share the music! Find a job with a small business, and work for peanuts, and get it done. Or - start your own small business, and work your butt off.
Motown Rock
Hi Susan,
Your mention of Rare Earth reminded me that I had recently heard that they have a new CD out: "A Brand New Day" I believe is the title. A DJ on a northern Mich station had worked with Randy Burghdoff, so he gave it a bit of a plug and then played a cut: a great version of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" as only Rare Earth could make it sound. Very cool to hear them on the radio again!
Power of Zeus
Don't forget the Underdogs. Their version of "Loves Gone Bad" was released by Motown and did very well here in metro Detroit back in 1967.
I loved "Love's Gone Bad." I liked it better than their "Man in the Glass" (which is weirdly like MJ's later "Man in the Mirror," don't you think?) -- Susan Whitall
Rock at Motown Article by Susan Whitall
Mike, I'm sure that your comments meant well, but you should know that Susan's work in and about Detroit's music scene has longevity and credibility beyond question. It may be to your benefit to do a little research of her work both at the Detroit News on this blog and at "Creem" magazine. Interesting info on Severin Browne. Thanks.
Rock at Motown Article by Susan Whitall
Both Browne and the Motown Museum support the claim. I suppose the final authority would be the label itself, although I suspect it would be difficult to track down the truth after so many ownership changes/corporate takeovers. I doubt Berry Gordy himself would remember.
You honestly believe that there were no white artists signed to Motown until the early 1970s? It's definitely not true. The artists I mention in the story all predate the early '70s, by a mile. --Susan Whitall
Rock at Motown Article by Susan Whitall
Susan, regarding your comments on the "debate" about the first white artist at Motown - that honor goes to Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Severin Browne.
The signing of Browne (yes, the brother of Jackson Browne) did not take place until after Gordy moved the label to Los Angeles in the early seventies. Browne was a staff writer for Gordy at the time, who heard Browne demo his songs for other staff writers and signed him to a recording contract on the spot.
Several of the acts you mention were signed to Motown subsidiary labels, but Browne was the first to be signed to the parent label.
This is acknowledged by the Motown Museum at the company's original headquarters on West Grand Blvd., who mention Browne as the first white Motown artist on their standard tour of the museum, as well as feature a poster-sized blow-up of the cover of Browne's first album for the label on display.
Severin Browne continues to be a force in the Los Angeles singer/songwriter scene, decades after his stint for Berry Gordy and Motown.
- Mike Bisch Los AngelesInteresting information abou Severin, but between 1959 and the early '70s there were many white artists signed to Motown, as I blogged. Mike and the Modifiers were signed in '60. Chris Clark was signed early on, if you mean solo artists, way before the early '70s, so I'm a little puzzled by your claim. -- Susan Whitall
Seger
What a holiday gift from Detroit's finest entertainer!!! I can't wait to get a copy for my collection of the rest I have!!! My wife was a waitress many many years ago and waited on Seger out in Waterford, she kept the coffee cup and cloth napkin from the man, what a hoarder she is!! But I have all my ticket stubs , so what can I say, Bob Seger was THE CONCERT IN DETROIT ONCE UPON A TIME, IF WE COULD ONLY GO BACK!! I CAN HEAR THE SAX PLAYING RIGHT NOW. OH MAN HIS MUSIC CALLED BOYS TO BE A MAN IN DETROIT WHEN HE HAD THE RIGHT DATE!!!
DAN1958~HAZEL PARK, MI 48030, DOWN ON MAIN STREET!!!
Yeah, although I want to see what he comes up with for Vol. 2. That Hideout stuff has to come out! -- Susan Whitall
Two Bobs and Motown 50th
The last photo I saw of Seger on the golf course sure didn't look anything like the album cover. We've all been through some changes to be sure, but your photo in the Detroit News articles looks great, Susan. Today's feature spread on Dylan has a pair of "before and after" photos that tell the tale and along with the cover collage makes this issue a keeper. Noticed that you weren't quite so hard on his Christmas offering (Gravelly voice)as earlier. I still prefer his earlier incarnations like "Highway 61 Revisited" etc. Thanks a lot for the heads-up on the Lions' Thanksgiving game halftime show featuring a Motown 50th Anniversary tribute from their current artists. Should be fun. The CBC 1550 AM programming changes do not have a total feed from the BBC Overnight as I had thought, but a variety of things that are replacing the former shows from around the world. I'm missing some of those in my moments of insomnia.
Great!
I love to read interesting post that has knowledge to impart! Thank you for sharing your insights! I will avidly wait for your next entry.
Best regards,
Buy GoldTop 20 Detroit Songs
Awesome lists. I didn't think it had to be songs so much "about" Detroit as songs that made you "feel" Detroit. For me, that would be Seger's "Heavy Music" from Smokin OPs and (going WAY back) a hand up for Salem Township's own Barbara Lewis and "Puppy Love." Would probably have to note how Detroit was the foil for so many country singers, too. Who was it that sang "Last night, I went to sleep in Detroit City, and dreamed about the cotton fields back home.." Earnest Tubb? Anyway, keep it up, all!
I agree, I think it's more about capturing the essence of Detroit, or a flavor...than being literally about Detroit. Bobby Bare did "Detroit City," right? "By day we make the cars, at night we hit the bars..." -- Susan Whitall
Soupy Sales Clips
Susan, you just made my day! The Alice Cooper clip still has left a smile. It's priceless. And the Clifford Brown clip is indeed a rarity that rekindles long faded memories of the other side of Soupy. Thanks very much. The book "Grand River and Joy" by Susan Messer which was featured on an earlier posting sounds interesting as well.
RIP Soupy Sales
Soupy Sales was totally insane in a very good way. Who else could have entertained both youth and adults with two shows on the same day? The late night showcasing of top jazz talents equalled his "intellegent counter cultural" appeal. He was truly ahead of his time or at least a pioneer for the cultural shift.
As I write this some otherworldly vibes are streaming while I view the linked Youtube video with Stevie Wonder's "High Heeled Sneakers" and simultaneously listen to an early airing of Ann Delisi's "Essential Music" which is playing Stevie Wonder's "Very Superstitious". (It's an otherworldly experience!) They are wrapping up their Semi-annual pledge drive today. True fans of variety in music can support WDET with a donation at anytime. Just go to their webpage at wdetfm.org.
Culture gap was a chasm
Long after large swaths of mainstream culture met counterculture, the maestro and his fans orbited in an unchanging universe.
In WelkWorld, roaches referred only to insects, rolling papers was something newspaper carriers did, hash was served with eggs and a bong was presumed to be an Asian percussion instrument that's not needed in the LW Orchestra.
Sadly, some folks still think that was -- is? -- The Real America.
Alan --
Yeah but I've always said, there would be no counter-culture if there weren't things like Lawrence Welk to "rebel" against. Without AM radio, what would Frank Zappa have attacked? I liked the yin/yang aspect of culture in the '60s. I'm not sure if we have that today or not. A little bit with "Dancing with the Stars" etc., but where is the intelligent counter-culture? -- Susan Whitall
Lawrence Welk
This is hilarious Susan! Especially the line: "I've been changing as you can plainly see." sung by Gail and Dale without so much as a hint of recognition. "Ah wannerful, ah wannerful!" Thanks for sharing!
Another song for the list...
"The New World" by the Knitters
"...windshield wipers, Buffalo NY...Gary Indiana...don't forget the Motor City....don't forget the Motor City...this is supposed to be the New World...."
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