Originally formed in Detroit in 1958, The Contours started out as a quartet consisting of lead singer Billy Gordon, Billy Hogg, Joe Billingslea and Sylvester Potts. Their original name was The Blenders, but after the addition of guitarist Huey Davis and Hubert Johnson (cousin of Jackie Wilson), they became The Contours and auditioned with Berry Read More
Tag: 1960s
The Just Brothers Give Us Northern Soul
Jimmy and Frank Bryant were two brothers from Detroit who worked as session musicians and created a dance-floor hit so groovy, it has been sampled over the years by the likes of British DJ hit-maker Norman Cook (known by most as Fatboy Slim) to create an iconic Northern Soul sound that people for decades have Read More
A Slice of History From Detroit Rock City
New Bethel Baptist Church, located on Linwood St. and previously located on Hastings, was founded in 1948 by the Reverend C.L. Franklin. In the 1960s, Franklin was recording sermons from New Bethel Baptist on the gospel label Chess Records, becoming one of the first ministers to do so. He was known as the man with Read More
The Reflections’ Blue-Eyed Soul
There are multiple musical groups that write and perform under the name, “The Reflections,” but there is only one of those groups with Detroit roots and a catchy hit from 1964 that remains the group’s signature number when they perform to this day. “(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet” was penned by songwriters Bob Hamilton and Read More
The Woolies Hit With A Bo Diddley Classic
In 1967, East Lansing natives The Woolies recorded a cover of the classic Bo Diddley tune, “Who Do You Love?” This would prove to be the group’s biggest hit, and with many covers of “Who Do You Love?” out there by bands like George Thorogood and the Destroyers and Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Woolies’ version Read More
A Slice Of History From Detroit Rock City
In the 1960s, The Hideout was a popular venue off of 8 Mile and Harper where numerous up-and-coming Detroit bands would play. The Hideout was a venue that did something differently than most at the time – they frequently booked an all-female rock band to play their stage. The Pleasure Seekers originally consisted of 5 Read More
Question Mark and The Mysterians “96 Tears”
? and the Mysterians had their first great success as a band when their song, “96 Tears,” was recorded in March of 1966 at Art Schiell’s recording studio in Bay City, located in the back of his house. “96 Tears” was recorded on the back porch of Shiell’s studio and became the first mainstream hit Read More