FLASHBACK MOTOR CITY HAPPENINGS ’68 . . . JUNE 15, 1968

Motor City Radio Flashbacks logo (2015)From the MCRFB news archive: 1968

Music Happenings In and Around Detroit Town, 1968

 

 

 

 

 

DETROIT — The Delphonics have just ended a 10-day engagement at the 20 Grand Club, with the Vibrations and Barbara Mason the current attractions at that spot. This is Miss Mason’s first appearance in Detroit . . .  the Phelps Lounge presented a musical review May 24 – June 2 showcasing Jimmy Ruffin, the Parliaments, Bettye LaVette, Jimmy Delphs, Carl Carlton, and Louis Curry. The recording “Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music,” by the Bandwagon was one of the first to break as a result of a promotional film. The record was listed as a national breakout here (on CKLW) after an initial four weeks here of TV film exposure . . .

Motown's Shorty Long circa 1966
Motown’s Shorty Long circa 1967

. . . . Diana Ross and the Supremes have just completed a six-day engagement at the Fisher Theater . . . . from Detroit has come two productions on the popular phrase “here comes the judge.” One is by the Buena Vistas on the Marquee label and the other by Shorty Long on the Motown Soul label . . . .  Florence Ballard, formerly of the Supremes now recording for ABC Records, appeared last Thursday on the Swingin’ Time TV show for host Robin Seymour CKLW  Channel 9.

WCHB “Super Soul” radio will present its annual “WCHB Talent Contest” on Saturday, June 22 at the Detroit Fox Theater. Each year the station holds auditions for new local talents and presents the best acts in one show along with various artists of the Motown label. The Motown acts chosen this year has not been announced as yet.

. . . . The June Jazz Festival is booked into the Masonic Temple Auditorium for Saturday, June 22. Jazz artists scheduled to appear include Donald Byrd and his Quintet, Quartet Tres Bien. Jean DuShon, Stanley Turrentine, and the Shirley Scott Trio. . . . Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass will appear in concert on Monday, June 17, at the Cobo Hall Arena. . . . WKNR-FM has initiated a progressive rock format, slated officially commencing Monday, June 10, and reports excellent reaction after only a few days of operation, according to WKNR-AM and FM music director Paul Cannon. END

The former Phelps Lounge establishment, 9006 Oakman Ave., Detroit, as it appeared several years ago.
Once vibrant in its heyday as an established R&B nightspot during the ’60s and early-1970s, the Phelps Lounge, 9006 Oakman Ave., Detroit, as it appears today in this photo taken several years ago.

Florence Ballard (MCRFB) 1968

FLORENCE BALLARD * “Going Out Of My Head ” * ABC RECORDS (1968)

(Information and news source: Billboard; June 15, 1968).

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One thought on “FLASHBACK MOTOR CITY HAPPENINGS ’68 . . . JUNE 15, 1968”

  1. ’68 must have been a boom time for radio advertising because of the newspaper strike. Radio, and to some extent TV, was the only place to go to find out where your favorite performers were appearing.

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