DETROIT’S JAZZ RADIO | 105.9 FM | SEPTEMBER 28, 1994
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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Jonathan Whittier, of Pontiac, Michigan, for recently sharing this WJZZ radio aircheck with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
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DETROIT FREE PRESS: LARRY ‘DOC’ ELLIOTT
Above article is courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2021 Newspapers.com.
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The above featured RICHARD ‘DOC’ ELLIOTT article was ‘clipped,’ saved, and was digitally imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
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Missed any of our previous ‘Detroit Radio Back-Pages‘ features? GO HERE.
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The Elgins were an American vocal group on the Motown label, active from the late 1950s to 1967. Their most successful record was “Heaven Must Have Sent You”, a song written and produced by the Holland–Dozier–Holland team, which was a hit single in the US in 1966, and in the UK when reissued in 1971.
Founding members Robert Fleming, Johnny Dawson, Cleo “Duke” Miller and Norman McLean recorded together for various small labels in Detroit prior to their Motown days, as The Sensations, The Five Emeralds, and The Downbeats, and also recorded as The Downbeats for Motown in 1962. The record company suggested that they add female lead vocalist Saundra Mallett, who had recorded unsuccessfully for the label, backed by The Vandellas; she later married and became Saundra Edwards.
The new group’s first single release was “Put Yourself In My Place”, issued in December 1965; early copies credited the record to The Downbeats, but Berry Gordy wanted to use the name Elgins, which had previously been one of the names used by The Temptations. The record rose to no. 4 on the Billboard R&B chart and no. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its B-side, “Darling Baby”, also made the Hot 100.
Several months later, they issued “Heaven Must Have Sent You”, which again reached both the R&B and pop charts, becoming their biggest pop hit. They also released an album, Darling Baby. However, their follow-up single, “I Understand My Man”, was less successful, and the group broke up in 1967.
With the continuing popularity of Motown records in the UK fueled by the Northern Soul scene, “Heaven Must Have Sent You” was reissued in 1971 and peaked at no. 3 on the UK Singles Chart. “Put Yourself In My Place” was also reissued and made the chart. With Saundra Mallett Edwards being unwilling to rejoin the group, the Elgins toured the UK with former session vocalist Yvonne Vernee Allen taking her place. One of Yvonne Vernee’s solo singles from the 60’s, “Just Like You Did Me”, also became popular on the Northern Soul scene, especially at Wigan Casino Soul Allnighters. Vernee also recorded some material with The Elgins at Motown, but none of it saw release.
In the photo above, the original V.I.P. artists consisted of (standing) Duke Miller, Saundra Mallet, Johnny Dawson and Norman McLean (kneeling).
Saundra Mallet passed away in 2002.
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Source: The Elgins; Wikipedia
The above featured V.I.P. Recording Artists (Motown) promotional photograph was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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Released February 19, “Put Yourself In My Place” peaked at #4 (charted 13 total weeks R&B overall) on the Billboard R&B chart in 1966. B-side: “Darling Baby”
V.I.P. 25029 (Source: Billboard Top R&B Singles)
“HEAVEN MUST HAVE SENT YOU” (INSTRUMENTAL) * THE ELGINS
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The above WNIC music/concert chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
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A sincere, thank you, Mrs. Patti Griggs. This featured presentation would have not been possible without your generosity, dedication, and your continuous support.
Above WNIC music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.
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“WALK LIKE A MAN” | THE 4 SEASONS | VEE JAY 485
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“Walk Like A Man” by the 4 Seasons debuted at #40 on Billboard, week ending, January 26. Just three weeks later, The single jumped inside the Billboard top 10 on February 9, to #6. Six weeks after its debut, the single hit the #1 position on Billboard, week ending, March 2, 1963 and remained on top through March 16, 1963.
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NUMBER ONE IN AMERICA | MARCH 2 – MARCH 16, 1963
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EIGHT WEEKS on the singles chart, “Walk Like A Man” by The 4 Seasons peaked this month at No. 01 (3 weeks) on the Billboard Hot 100. Week ending, March 2, through the week-ending, March 16 1963. (Source: Billboard)
For more Billboard Number One U.S.A. Hits go HERE
CKLW 20/20 NEWS | DICK SMYTH | DATE: MONDAY, MAY 26, 1969
— MARCH 6, 2021 —
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Today, Motor City Radio Flashbacks pay homage to the memory of famed Canadian news broadcaster and veteran radio news director, Dick Smyth. His voice was heard daily over the Detroit and Windsor airwaves on CKLW in the 1960s and early 1970s. He was also news director at CHUM, CFTR, and later, 680 NEWS.
While in hospice care, Dick Smyth passed away, Saturday, March 6. He was 86.
For more on the passing of Dick Smythe, please go here.
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Motor City Radio Flashbacks extends heartfelt condolences to the Smyth family
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Audio source from the Motor City Radio Flashbacks archive.
— ‘Jack the Bellboy’ —
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Ed McKenzie. During his prime years on radio WJBK and by the time McKenzie left the station for WXYZ in January 1952, he was by then recognized, having been established in the trade as the “Nation’s Number One Disc Jockey.”
Today, Motor City Radio Flashbacks will feature “the saga” of Ed McKenzie. His life and his times in Detroit radio, and what brought this Detroit broadcast (and jazz) legend to prominence. Not just here in the Motor City, but also around the country in the 1940s and 1950s.
Ed McKenzie passed away in 2001. He was 90.
The featured and extensive article was initially published in the quarterly journal, International Association of Jazz Record Collectors (IAJRC; Summer 1995).
The article authored by Stan Kuwik.
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Note: This article was submitted to Motor City Radio Flashbacks in 2019 by “Radio Muze”. It originated from a former Detroiter — who resides today in Los Angeles — who expressed desire his name remain undisclosed.
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The entire IAJRC 1995 article was digitally enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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