Tyler Perry Wants Ms. Ross

Tyler Perry is by his own admission stalking Diana Ross. According to Perry he want her in a new film he is producing entitled A Jazz Man's Blues. He has been sending flowers, e-mails to people who know her, and talked to the man who walks her dog. The film is set around 1947 and Tyler would like Ms. Ross to bring some of what she brought to Lady Sings The Blues. Tyler confessed that he would love to showcase what a powerful actress she is because we have not seen her in a long time. On a personal note I thought Ms. Ross was good in Double Platinum with Brandy Norwood, but she was especially compelling in Out Of Darkness in which she portrayed a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia. Below is a clip of her portrayal.

Update: Out of Darkness will be showing on TV ONE, February 18th at 12:00 AM CST.

Welcome to Dallas Kwame!

Well according to local new cast in the Dallas area, Kwame Kilpatrick, former mayor of Detroit, Michigan, has taken a job in the Dallas area. The disgraced former mayor just completed a 99 day stint in jail. According to the Detroit News Kilpatrick still owes the city of Detroit a million dollars, yet he has leased a 3,000 a month, one half acre Southlake rental (an exclusive area outside of Dallas), where his family has been residing since December.

Quote: Smokey on Michael

Smokey Robinson provides some insight on Michael Jackson."He is the best who ever did it. The singing and the dancing and the records-the whole package. But somewhere ... he just got lost. It's easy to do."

-- Motown Records legend Smokey Robinson on Michael Jackson's legacy

Levi Stubbs Passes Away At 72

Arguably the most powerful voice in Motown's history has been silenced. Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs Jr. died Friday at his home in Detroit after a long series of health problems, including cancer and a stroke, that forced him to stop performing in 2000. He was 72.
Funeral arrangements were pending for Stubbs, who is survived by Clineice, his wife of 48 years, and five children.

He had one of the most prolific and identifiably voices in American history. Often playing second fiddle to the Temptations, The Four Tops showed they had staying power. An amazing footnoot is that they were able to maintain their original lineup until death and illness struck. Stubbs' death leaves Abdul "Duke" Fakir as the Tops' only living member from the original quartet, which formed in 1954 as the Four Aims and signed with Motown nine years later. Laurence Payton passed away in 1997, and Renaldo "Obie" Benson died in 2005.

Fakir continues to lead a version of the Tops that includes Payton's son Roquel, former Temptations member Theo Peoples and Motown veteran Ronnie McNeir. Stubbs, born Levi Stubbles in Detroit gave voice to such enduring hits such as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got" and my all time favorite "It's The Way Nature Planned It". The Tops have sold more than 50 million records and racked up 45 chart hits for the Motown, ABC Dunhill, Arista and Casablanca labels, and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Stubbs also provided the voice of Audrey II, the man-eating plant in the film version of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1986, and of Mother Brain in the 1989 animated TV series "Captain N: The Game Master." The group was also responsible for the theme song for the second Shaft movie, "Shaft In Africa", "Are You Man Enough".

Stubbs' last public appearance with the group was at the group's 50th anniversary concert July 28, 2004, at Detroit's Music Hall Center. Information about the funeral services are pending.

Here is a classic by the group that you don't often hear, enjoy.

Pervis Jackson of The Spinners Dead At 70

Pervis Jackson (2nd from the left in the photo), one of the foundling members of the legendary singing group, died yesterday of cancer. Friends and fellow Motown Records musicians are mourning the loss of the Detroit singer, who died "quietly and peacefully" early Monday at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, said Claudreen Jackson, his wife of 40 years. He had been diagnosed with brain and liver cancer late last week, just a month after starting to feel ill and bowing out of several Spinners dates. He was 70.

The group formed in 1954 at Ferndale High School in Ferndale, Michigan. They first recorded for Harvy Fuqua's Tri Phi label before it was bought out by Motown. The group enjoyed its biggest success in the 1970's with such songs as, "Could It Be I Am Falling In Love", "How Could I Let You Get Away", "Sadie", "Games People Play", and I'll Be Around.

His last onstage appearance was July 19, when the Spinners performed in La Habra, Calif. The group has been a fixture on the casino and festival circuit for years, typically on the road more than 200 days annually. Surviving him in the group are fellow original members Henry Fambrough and Bobbie Smith. Founding member Billy Henderson died in February 2007.

The Death of Marvin Gaye

It seem that the death of Marvin Gaye is the most shocking moment in Black music. Following a distant second was the deaths of Aaliyah and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Pulling up the rear was the deaths of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. Someone responded to the "Most Shocking" post last week, admitting that they did not know that Marvin Gaye had been murdered by his father. Follow this link to read more about what supposedly happened on that fateful day. Here is a brief synopsis according to friends and relatives of the deceased.

On the night of March 31, 1984, Marvin Sr. was angered because he was unable to find a document concerning an insurance policy. He stormed around the house and yelled at Alberta, whom he blamed for losing the document. He was still angry when he awoke the next morning, Sunday, April 1, the day before Marvin Jr.'s 45^th birthday. At about 11 a.m., Marvin Sr. hollered up the stairs at his wife, who was in Marvin Jr.'s bedroom. The son went to the top of the stairs and hollered back that he should speak to Alberta's face if he had something to say.

The father hurried up the steps and entered his son's room. Marvin Jr. leaped up off the bed and pushed his 70-year-old father out into the hallway, knocking him down and kicking him. Alberta interceded and the men separated. Marvin Jr. returned to his bed. The father got up and went down the hall to his own bedroom. After a few moments, he returned to Marvin Jr.'s threshold. He raised a hand toward his son, and Alberta could see he was holding the .38 pistol Marvin Jr. had given him. He pulled the trigger, and shot his son in the chest, tearing through his heart. As Marvin Jr. slumped off the bed to the floor, his father strode forward and fired again. The second shot was unnecessary.

Marvin's brother Frankie ran to the sounds of the shots, his wife Irene called 911. Paramedics arrived to find Marvin Sr. sitting on the front porch. They demanded to see the gun before they would enter the house. Irene found it under Marvin Sr.'s pillow and threw it on the lawn. Gaye was rushed to California Hospital. Resuscitation efforts were in vain. He was declared dead at 1:01 p.m.

Happy Birthday Mr. Gaye

Today Marvin Gaye would have been 69 years old. While I don't usually acknowledge celebrity birthdays I figured today I would make an exception for my favorite male singer of all time. The original "Trouble Man" started his career in his hometown of Washington DC, where he sung in several groups, including The Marquees with Bo Diddley, which produced a song entitled "Wyatt Earp". He was recruited by Harvey Fuqua to become a member of the Moonglows. He had his first recorded lead with the group on "Mama Loocie" in 1959 on Chess Records. When the Moonglows disbanded, Harvey Fuqua, with Marvin in tow, left the Windy City for Motown and the rest is history.

After serving as a sessions drummer for many of the Motown acts in the early 60's, Marvin finally hit his stride proving he was "A Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" who was not only a wonderful singer and performer, but also a prolific songwriter, when he asked the world the question "What's Going On?" Although he had his personal problems as we all well know, he left us with his most prized possession, his music. The music is just as significant and relevant today as it was when he first recorded. Happy Birthday and I miss you "My Dear Mr. Gaye". Check out Marvin on piano singing "What's Going On" and "What's Happening Brother" with the legendary James Jamerson on bass.

Thursday Thirteen # 6 - 50th Anniversary of Motown Records – 13 Facts About Motown

Thirteen Things about Motown Motown Records or Hitsville USA was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1958 (although there is some discrepancy, some resources claim 1957 and others 1959). I am going to stick with 1958 only because in 1983 the television special “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, and Forever” aired. The original building where the “Motown Sound” was created still stands today at 2648 West Grand Blvd. in Detroit Michigan. It is a fascinating place to visit because it is hard to conceive that the world renowned, rich musical heritage that is associated with this company started in this little building. The Studio is literally a garage, with all the original accoutrements that gave us such artists as Mary Wells, The Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracle, Marvin Gaye, and the list goes on. On this Thursday Thirteen, I give you 13 trivia questions about Motown. The answers are listed below. 1. Which artist received the title of “First Lady” of Motown? 2. What year did the Jackson 5 leave Motown to sign with Epic Records? 3. What was the first Motown album to reach # 1 on the Billboard album charts? 4. What is the first Motown single to reach # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart? 5. What was Marvin Gaye’s first top ten hit on the Billboard R&B and pop charts? 6. What is Motown’s top selling album to date? 7. Which Motown group had a hit with “This Old Heart of Mine”? 8. Who is responsible for the operation of the Motown Museum? 9. What Norman Whitfield produced groups had hits with such songs as “I Know (I’m Losing You)”, “I Just Want To Celebrate” and “Born To Wander”? 10. What family group had a hit with the song “Heard It Through The Grapevine”? 11. What Motown artist is considered by Bob Dylan to be “America’s Greatest Living Poet”? 12. What artist began her career as the protégé of Rick James? 13. Who was offered a job as a guide at the Motown Museum ? Answers 1. Mary Wells. Mary Wells had three top ten hits in 1962 including “The One Who Really Loves You” and “Two Lovers”. 2. 1975. Jermaine Jackson left the group opting instead to stay with his father-in-law’s company (he was married to Barry Gordy’s daughter Hazel). Randy Jackson replaced Jermaine and the group became known as the Jackson. 3. “12 Year Old Genius” by Stevie Wonder. He actually thirteen when it was released in 1963. 4. “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes. Smokey Robinson and the Miracle’s “Shop Around” was the first national hit in 1961, it did not reach the # 1 slot on Billboard. The Marvelettes hit pay dirt in December of 1961. 5. “Pride and Joy”. Released in 1963 it was featured on the “Stubborn Kinda Fellow” album. 6. “II” by Boyz II Men. It would have been Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, however he had already left for the greener pastures of Epic records. “II” by Boyz II Men sold 12 million copies worldwide. 7. The Isley Brothers. During their stint with Motown, the Isley Brothers hit # 12 with the song in 1966. 8. Esther Gordy Edward. She is Berry Gordy’s sister and she keeps the legacy alive. 9. Rare Earth. They remain one of the more successful white acts to grace the label. 10. Gladys Knight and the Pips. The group consisted of Gladys Knight, her brother Merald ‘Bubba’ Knight, and her cousins Edward Patten and William Guest. 11. Smokey Robinson. Robinson was responsible for the writing the songs that established the Temptations and Mary Wells careers, not to mention the music of his group the Miracles. 12. Teena Marie. One of my all time favorites, I affectionately refer to her as the only white artist that has to cross over to the pop charts. 13. Myself. That was a trick question. No one could know that, but it’s true. While visiting the Museum in 2001 I was invited to interview with Esther Gordy Edwards because of my knowledge of Motown history. I had to decline because of other commitments.

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