DETROIT — The Detroit-based new rhythm and blues Tamla-Motown show opened New York’s Apollo Theater last week and in it’s final few days appeared on its way to cracking box-office records. The show, scheduled to run for ten days at the Harlem theater, starred top Tamla-Motown acts headlining the event — the Miracles, Mary Wells, the Contours, the Supremes, the Marvelettes and others Motown acts, including Marv Johnson, a United Artist star, who is currently managed by Tamla-Motown chief Barry Gordy, Jr., was also featured on the bill.
The “Motortown Revue” first came to New York City’s Apollo in 1962.
Gordy, who manages and books all his Motown talents on his two hot labels, booked the entire show into the Apollo Theater. Prior to playing here, the show gained acclaimed exposure with a week’s performance in Washington and a string of one-nighters through the South. The rock and roll R&B show will play an engagement in Newark before heading back to its home base in Detroit.
This is not the first show ever sponsored by a label, but it is one of the most successful venue ever sponsored by a recording company promoting and showcasing of their talent/product. It is understood that Gordy, who has had much success with his record firms, will be presenting more shows of this type in the future. END
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(Information and news source: Billboard;December 22, 1962)
“The Miracles” w. musicians (L-R) Claudette Rogers, Ron White, Pete Moore, Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers circa 1962
1957: Elvis Presley’s longtime guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black leave the King’s band, dissatisfied over being denied pay raises by manager Colonel Tom Parker. Drummer D. J. Fontana stays on.
Dusty Springfield, formerly of the British group the Springfields, born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien. (Click on image for larger view).
1962: A year and a half before the Beatles break in the United States, the Springfields’ “Silver Threads And Golden Needles” becomes the first British song to reach the top 20 in the U.S. Later, member Dusty Springfield would have several more solo hits of her own.
1965: Having signed with Beatles manager Brian Epstein, the Moody Blues play their first major gig , as part of the manager’s “Evening Of Popular Music” at Royal Albert Hall in London. Other acts include Manfred Mann, the Kinks, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames.
1968: Janis Joplin announces her upcoming departure from her band Big Brother and the Holding Company, which observant listeners had decried as too amateurish for her talents.
1980: Bob Marley, who had refused treatment for spreading melanoma due to his religious beliefs, collapses while jogging in New York’s Central Park and is hospitalized. Two nights later he performs the next date on his North American Tour, the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, but sadly it proves to be his last.
1980: Elton John leaves longtime label MCA and signs with David Geffen’s new label by signing a six-year contract.
1986: The US Department of Health and Human Services honors Dionne Warwick for “exceptional services as a leading health ambassador” in fighting the spread of AIDS.
The Status Quo. (Click on image for larger view).
1991: The Status Quo band (1968 hit: “Pictures Of Matchstick Men”) set a world record when they play four separate British arenas in one 11-hour period.
1999: While being searched at London’s Heathrow Airport, Diana Ross allegedly assaults the security guard in question and is detained for five hours.
2004: Cat Stevens, known as Yusaf Islam since the late Seventies, is stopped from entering the US after his name is erroneously found on a terrorist watch list.
Deaths:1998: Oz Bach (Spanky and our Gang).
Releases: 1968: “All Along The Watchtower,” Jimi Hendrix.1974: “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Recording:NONE for this date —
Charts: 1955: “Only You,” The Platters; enters the charts. 1959: “Sleep Walk,” Santo and Johnny; hits No. 1 on the charts. 1963: “Blue Velvet,” Bobby Vinton; hit No. 1 on the charts. 1968: “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” Jeannie C. Riley; hits No. 1 on the charts. 1974: “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe,” Barry White; hits No. 1 on the charts.
Certifications:1971: “Another Day,” “Admiral Halsey,” Paul McCartney; certified gold by the RIAA. 1976: ‘Children Of The World,’ (LP) Bee Gees; is certified gold by the RIAA.
And that’s just a few of the events which took place in pop music history, on this day….
From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1962
