Category: MCRFB (Billboard) News

FOUR TOPS’ ’67 CLUB SCENE . . . SEPTEMBER 23, 1967

From the MCRFB news archive: 1967

Room At The Top, Motown’s Own Four Tops Customizing Song Selections For Nightclub Acts

 

 

 

 

Hollywood — The Four Tops, who closed their first booking at the Cocoanut Grove with a live LP recording, have learned to custom-tailor their repertoire to suit the level of the room audience. Four years ago the Detroit quartet was still hustling around the “chitlin’ circuit.”

The Four Tops.

Today, the male vocalists are a top Motown act and a new find for such rooms as the Grove and New York’s Copa, Washington D.C.’s Shoreham, Cherry Hill, New Jersey’s Latin Casino, and Hollywood, Miami’s own Diplomat — all forthcoming bookings.

On recordings, the quartet sings the pop love songs of Eddie Holland-Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. On stage, they dip into the Broadway and film repertoire for adult-oriented tunes which fit the Tops’ pleasant harmonies.

“We try to keep the composer’s beauty in the material,” explains Renaldo Benson, who along with Levi Stubbs, Jr., Lawrence Payton, and Abdul (Duke) Fakir formed the group thirteen-years ago.

During their Grove engagement the quartet included an Academy Award medley as its customizing salute to the film-oriented audience. Wade Marcus, the group’s musical director, along with Payton produced the live LP, for which Motown’s chief engineer was flown here for the special event.

The Four Tops circa 1966.

Benson, the “philosopher” in the group, feels that as a result of the Grove appearance, the group sought a wider musical scope in selections of other songs they were to perform. “For the last four years we’ve been playing rock concerts where sounds are really not that important. Here, we have to truly work to stimulate the audience.” Benson says they never “jive the audience” because they’ve been through the scuffling bit and appreciate the opportunity to work in the big time.

The Tops’ troupe numbers nine (including rhythm section) which involves a healthy weekly pay, but they are earning substantially more than their “chitlin’ circuits” salaries of from $1,000 to $1,500.

Two months ago the artists worked the Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip, where their repertoire was more tuned to their Motown singles hits. Their booking into the downtown prestige room here in Los Angeles was so soon after the Whiskey exposure, that it was a surprising bit of scheduling for the Tops.

 

When they play for colleges, the students ask for the single hits. This fall the quartet is planning a new act for the Ivy circuit, which also considerably pays better than the “chitlin'” clubs they frequented just five-years earlier.

The Tops now plan to begin producing records, which is a characteristic of the Motown operation where executives are artists, and where writers are the artists as well. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; September 23, 1967)

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DARIN DOES ‘ROOSTERTAIL’ . . . SEPTEMBER 23, 1967

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1967

Darin Darling of Detroit in Nightclub Bow

 

 

 

 

DETROIT — Bobby Darin opened at the Roostertail on Thursday, September 21, with an act that had the club audience shouting for more with a standing ovation.

Bobby Darin.

Everything about Darin’s act is contemporary. Even when he does a standard like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” it has a big beat band arrangement. He isn’t bogged down by nostalgia but knows exactly what’s happening today with the music scene.

Darin put his heart into “Drown In My Own Tears,” and also his version of “The Work Song,” which added tremendous emotional impact, while mesmerizing the Detroit audience by his presence on stage.

Darin’s act paced beautifully as he wrapped up the evening playing on the piano, electrifying the crowd with a swinging version of “What’d I Say.” END

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A MCRFB Note: Lorraine Alterman also was the teen-editor for the Detroit Free Press’ ‘Teen Beat’ column which appeared in print in the daily newspaper then, every Friday, in 1966.

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(Information and news source: Billboard; September 23, 1967)

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R&B RISES ON THE AM RADIO DIAL . . . APRIL 29, 1967

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1967

R&B Radio Outlets Richer; Static Quo on DJ Dollars Dismal


 

 

 

NEW YORK — The current success of many R&B format radio stations across the nation “is not that all apparent at the deejay level,” according to Ronnie Roker, an executive at Mark II Records.

Mark II records is the label of Tag LTD. Productions, a firm headed by Magnificent Montague, former air-personality with KGFJ, Los Angeles, and Roker, formerly with Liberty Records. The label’s first release is “Precious Memories” by the Romeos, now No. 38 with a star on the R&B chart, and climbing also on the Hot 100 Chart in pop sales. Montague played congos and bongos on the record. The LP is due out soon featuring the group.

The record got its start on R&B stations; among those that helped boost it were WVON, Chicago; WWIN and WEBB in Baltimore; WABQ and WJMO in Cleveland; KGFJ in Los Angeles, KATZ in St. Louis, and WJLB and WCHB in Detroit. It was WQV in Pittsburgh, Roker said, that swung the record into the pop field and did so much to promote record sales.

Format Operation

R&B stations — practically all major ones — have gone to a format operation, Roker said. “Format lessens the amount of new records exposed, although the number of records exposed on R&B radio stations far surpass that on pop stations.  Its much easier to get a record started in the R&B field, though not as easy as five years ago. Today, you have to put out a good record to get it played.  There are very few bad records — or even mediocre ones — played on any R&B station.”

ERNIE DURHAM WJLB 1964

The tight formats now being used by R&B stations have really helped them, Roker felt. “It has been responsible for higher ratings of these stations in the general market, bringing them more business and higher advertising rates.” But this hasn’t helped most deejays, he said; their salaries haven’t been increased or, at least, it’s “not that apparent.” Roker said he felt deejays should share in the growth of the stations through higher salaries, “but whether they will is a different matter.” END

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(Information and news source: Billboard Magazine; April 29, 1967)

Addendum: Here are two *rare* airchecks of Detroit’s own R&B Grandmaster himself, “Frantic” Ernie Durham, as he was 10 years earlier on R&B WBBC-AM in Flint, Michigan, in 1957 and in 1958.

From the MCRFB Aircheck Library, featuring:

WBBC-AM Ernie Durham: Ernie Durham – WBBC – Flint – November 1957.mp3

WBBC-AM Ernie Durham: Ernie Durham – WBBC – Flint – November 1958.mp3

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FLASHBACK MOTOR CITY HAPPENINGS . . . JUNE 24, 1967

 

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1967

Music Happenings In and Around Detroit Town, 1967

 

 

 

 

The Who played two shows June 14 at an Ann Arbor teenage club, The Fifth Dimension, before heading over to the Monterey Pop Festival…. Capitol artists Sadler and Young booked into the Roostertail for two weeks, beginning June 26, to be followed by another Capitol artist Peggy Lee, the week of July 10…. Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, had a Martin and Howard Day, June 11, in honor of the morning disc jockey team on WXYZ 1270 in Detroit…. Only the least expensive seats ($5.50, $4.50) are left for Frank Sinatra’s July 9 Cobo Hall Arena appearance.

Volt recording artists Otis Redding and the Bar-Kays to appear at Expo ’67, July 3-4…. Deon Jackson begins a two-week tour of Army bases beginning June 30…. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas recorded a live album at the 20 Grand Club June 6-8…. English female vocalist Kelly Michaels has been signed by Ollie McLaughlin. A release on his Karen label is due shortly…. The Supremes made their debut at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles June 13…. The Herman’s Hermits tour with the Who and the Blues Magoos were signed for the Atwood Stadium in Flint, August 23.

Charles D. Fitz, vice-president and general manager of WXYZ Radio and President of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, presided at the MAB sponsored Fifth Annual Congressional Dinner in Washington. John E. Campbell, vice-president and general manager of WXYZ-TV and WXYZ editorial director, Joe Vaughn, also attended the dinner for Michigan congressional representatives…. Baby Jane Holzer was in Detroit to promote her new Atco single “Rapunzel.” She did the Robin Seymour CKLW-TV show…. WKBD-TV, Channel 50, Detroit, will carry “Upbeat” from Cleveland on Saturday mornings at 9:30 beginning July 1…. The Monkees will be in Detroit at Olympia Stadium on July 29. The Olympia concert event will be sponsored by WKNR…. Capitol Records hosted a party for Lou Rawls after his sellout concert at Masonic Auditorium in Detroit recently. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard Magazine: June 24, 1967)

WHEN THE WHO PERFORMED SOUTHFIELD HIGH IN 1967!

 

A MCRFB Note: This picture (above; below) was taken when the Who performed at the Southfield High School auditorium, Wednesday, November 22, 1967. Opening for the headlining British group were two local Detroit bands. The Unrelated Segments and The Amboy Dukes. Tickets were $3.00 dollars at the door.

For more on this incredible 1967 SHS event, click here to former CKLW and WKNR alumnus Pat St. John’s personal website. Pat will recount his personal involvement in this little-known event (with the Who) in this amazing Detroit rock ‘n’ roll back-story!

A ticket stub to The Who performance at Southfield High, 1967. (Photo credit; thanks: Judy Evans, Facebook. (used here by permission).
A ticket stub to The Who performance at Southfield High, 1967. (Photo credit; thanks: Judy Evans, Facebook (used here by her permission)

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CKLW-TV 9 ADDS TEEN SHOW . . . JULY 31, 1965

A MCRFB NEWS brief: 1965

CKLW-TV Bows Show for Teens

 

 

 

DETROIT — A Canadian TV station, CKLW-TV, which also serves Detroit, has kicked-off an hour daily variety show for teenagers called ‘Swingin’ Summertime.’ Host of the show, which features both live and taped segments, is Robin Seymour. 

Among the artists appearing on the first show were the Rolling Stones, Gene Pitney, Dwayne Hickman, Paul Anka, Deborah Walley and Harry Belafonte. The show is telecast live before a teen audience at the CKLW television studios in Windsor, Ontario. END

 

 

(Information and news source: Billboard; July 31, 1965)

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IN DETROIT IT’S ‘SWINGIN’ TIME’ CKLW 9 . . . APRIL 2, 1966

From the MCRFB news archives:

Bandstand TV Scene Bears Watching — The Detroit Scene

 

 

 

CKLW-TV host Robin Seymour host “Swingin’ Time,” 1965.

HOLLYWOOD — Teen-age bandstand TV shows come and go–and a couple of important ones met their demise during the past few months — but over-all they seem more popular than ever. Especially at the local level. A quick check of some of the nation’s major bandstand shows found them not only doing well from the advertising sponsorship angle, but in audience ratings.

“Shebang,” for instance, has been sold out the past few months and has a waiting line of advertisers, said producer Bob Burnett. And, though the Los Angeles show is no longer in syndication, it reaches a minimum of more than 4 million daily via CATV distribution throughout Southern California.

The Everly Brothers appearance on “Swingin’ Time” in 1965.

Among those national bandstand shows that became drop-outs were ABC-TV’s network “Shindig” show. “Shivaree” dropped out of syndication, but the producers are working on a new format to have it back in syndication next month. The show is now seen in the Los Angeles area.

For the national shows, formats tell the story. A local show can usually do quite well because, as talent-coordinator Art Cervi of “Swingin’ Time” in Detroit puts it, “From the local standpoint, you got a raison d’etre because you’re hitting the people–the kids–who can and do appear on the show. You have an audience participation factor that let’s people identify with you.” The Detroit show out pulls national shows in the market, said Cervi.

The Detroit Scene

“Swingin’ Time” on CKLW-TV, Detroit, is an hour bandstand show during weekdays and the Saturday hour show concentrated on featuring record artists.  But so many artists are now seeking to be on the show that talent-coordinator Cervi is using them on weekdays too.

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels guest-appeared on “Swingin’ Time” in 1966.

Sponsorship for the show is good. The show is supporting itself and “it looks like its going to do much better,” Cervi said. “I think there’s room for a show like this in every big market. The only trouble some shows run into in various markets is that the markets are saturated with such shows. But we’re doing so well locally that Robin Seymour has given up his radio shows to concentrate on “Swingin’ Time.”

Cervi said his show reaches 85 to 90,000 homes a weekday and around 125 to 130,000 homes during the Saturday show. END

(Information and news source: Billboard; April 2, 1966)

A MCRFB Note: Here’s several videos of ‘Swingin’ Time,’ hosted by Robin Seymour on CKLW-TV 9 in the 1960s. A young Johnny Rivers and Bob Seger enhances as highlights as they appeared on the show. The complete shows features the Supremes and the Rationals when they first appeared on the popular Detroit/Windsor TV dance show.

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FLASHBACK MOTOR CITY HAPPENINGS ’68 . . . JULY 6, 1968

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1968

Music Happenings In and Around Detroit Town, 1968

 

 

 

DETROIT — The Rascals are scheduled to perform their first Detroit concert Sunday at Cobo Hall along with Rodney Knight and the Soul Sextex…. Currently appearing at the 20 Grand Driftwood Lounge are the Fantastic Four, the Detroit Emeralds, the Magic Tones, Kris Peterson, and McKinley Jackson and the Politicians…. Tiny Tim appeared at the Edgewater Amusement Park…. Tom Shannon of CKLW radio hosted the Swingin’ Time TV show for vacationing Robin Seymour for two weeks…. Musicor’s Toys were in Detroit the week of June 17 to do promotional appearances for their new recordings…. Chuck Jackson and his revue performed June 22 at Mr. Kelly’s Lounge.

Joe Simon and King Curtis and his band are current attractions at the Phelps Lounge…. WCHB Radio presented its annual “WCHB Talent Contest” on June 22 at the Fox Theater. The first place winner out of 20 contestants was a singing female trio called the Delcavettes. Their prize is a recording contract with Solid Hitbound Productions here. Also performing on the show, intermixed with the contest participants, were Motown acts the Monitors, Shorty Long, Yvonne Fair, and Chuck Jackson. Judges for the contest included Al Kent of Ric-Tic Records, Hank Talbert of Music Merchants Distributors, and singer Gino Washington…. Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass appeared in its first Detroit concert June 17 at Cobo Hall. END

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 (Information and news source: Billboard; July 6, 1968)

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CKLW SALUTES MOTOWN SOUND . . . SEPTEMBER 30, 1967

A MCRFB NEWS brief: 1967

Billboard; September 30, 1967

 

 

 

Mike Rivers, air-personality with CKLW, chatted with Diana Ross of Motown Records last August during a three-week presentation of the Hot 100 station spotlighting records by hometown Detroit artists–namely Motown record artists.

Special jingles by the Johnny Mann Singers introduced each Motown record, and the station gave away copies of Motown albums featuring 16 Motown hits. END

 

The CKLW BIG 30 Survey Guide (pictured) is from the week of August 29, 1967

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(Information and news source: Billboard; September 30, 1967)

 

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BEATLES ON VEE-JAY OR SWAN? . . . JANUARY 25, 1964

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964

Beatles Heat Flare In Court

 

 

 

The Beatles‘ on VeeJay Records in 1964. (Click on image for larger view)

NEW YORK — Vee Jay Records filed a motion in New York’s Supreme Court against both Capitol Records and Swan Records here Friday seeking an injunction restraining the companies from manufacturing, distributing, advertising or otherwise disposing of recordings by the Beatles.

The motion was brought before Judge Mullen in Supreme Court, who reserved decision on the case.

The case is but one of many suits and counter-suits being bandied about the courts over the sensational young singing group from Liverpool. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; January 25, 1964)

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964

Beatles Heat Flare In Court

 

 

 

CHICAGO — The Beatles, the nation’s hottest recording property today, are becoming the object of the nation’s hottest lawsuits, at least as far as the recording industry is concerned.

The rock-and-rolling English group has a series of singles and LP’s out on three labels–Capitol, Vee Jay and Swan. Each of the offering is bounding up the national charts like Topsy.

And each is becoming involved in a series of suits and counter-suits between the various companies involved.

The Beatles‘ “She Loves You” on Swan Records in 1964.

Most confused are the nation’s dealers and one-stops, many of whom have received telegrams from one or more of the parties, noting that appropriate legal action will be taken if they persisted in selling the others’ products.

The matter is far from settled, but as of Billboard press time, Capitol was granted an injunction in Cook County Circuit Court restraining Vee Jay from manufacturing, distributing, advertising or otherwise disposing of the Beatles’ recordings.

The Capitol injunction is good for thirty days and Vee Jay is slated to file an answer next Wednesday.

Vee Jay, meanwhile, has filed a suit seeking a similar injunction against Capitol and Swan, with a hearing slated for New York’s Supreme Court before Judge Saul Streit, last Friday.

Under the Capitol injunction, “Vee Jay, it’s agents, attorneys and servants” are prevented from selling or advertising Beatles’ products.

Presumably, and according to Vee Jay sources, the injunction does not apply against dealers, one-stops, rack jobbers and even distributors who might already have the records in stock.

According to Jay Lasker, Vee Jay executive vice-president, “we shipped an awful lot of records, more than Capitol.”

Capitol attorney, Sidney Zatz, however, has indicated that “steps could be taken” against dealers who persisted in selling the Vee Jay product, though he did not specify what this would entail.

The product causing all the fuss is:

Capitol, “I Want To Hold Your Hand,”  a single, is at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 this week, and “Meet The Beatles,”  an L.P.

Vee Jay, “Please Please Me,” a single, and two LP’s, “Introducing The Beatles,” already distributed, and “The Beatles and Frank Ifield,” were not yet shipped but ready to go.

Swan, “She Loves You,” a single, is breaking into Billboard’s Hot 100 in position 69.

Neither Vee Jay nor Capitol is seeking damages as of this date, though a Capitol spokesman did not rule out the possibility of this taking place at a later date.

In its motion for injunction, Capitol claimed exclusive U.S. distribution rights to all recording by the Beatles. The label accused Vee Jay of manufacturing and selling albums introducing the Beatles in violation of Capitol’s exclusive right.

Capitol contended in its suit that Vee Jay’s rights were canceled last August.

The suit notes that initially Vee Jay was licensed by Trans Global, a New York firm licensed to distribute EMI products. EMI has the original Beatles’ contract.

Capitol claims that Trans Global canceled its contract with Vee Jay August 8 because of non-payment of royalties. Trans Global allegedly relinquished its rights to EMI with the latter than returning them over to Capitol.

Vee Jay, meanwhile, contends that it has a five-year contract with the Beatles and that it is definitely not in default for failure to pay royalties.

Capitol’s suit notes that the label has spent $50,000 in extensive nationwide promotions of the Beatles recordings. END

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(Information and new source: Billboard; January 25, 1964)

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WXYZ 1270 HOSTS MOTOWN SUPREMES . . . JANUARY 22, 1966

A MCRFB news brief:

WXYZ Remote On Supremes

 

 

 

 

DETROIT — WXYZ will follow the Supremes to Detroit’s Roostertail nightclub Monday evening (January 17) for their performance. Lee Alan and Danny Taylor will broadcast remote from the club’s lobby at their regularly scheduled time – 7:15-10 p.m. and 10 p.m.-1 a.m. respectively.

Marc Avery, Steve Lundy, Dave Prince and Pat Murphy will be on hand at a WXYZ table with microphones to interview the Supremes themselves and thereafter speak with members of the crowd live concluding the Supremes Roostertail performance. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; January 22, 1966)

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