| Author | Message | ||
  Satipe (satipe) 5-Doyen Username: satipe Post Number: 368 Registered: 4-2004 |
I do not usually post a first message but tonight I am as I am thinking about Billy Brown. It made me think about Otis Williams, Duke Fakir, Marshall Thompson and others who are the only original member of their respective groups. It must be extremely hard to lose friends and co-workers of 40+ years. Many groups get a hard time when it comes to an original member who continues the name/legacy but I am so happy and proud they do. If they did not, the group is forgotten. Since his death in 1827, Beethoven has a name remembered by "my kids" but The O'Jays do not until I say, "they sing the theme song to The Apprentice". Sad indeed! Let's support the only originals left as they continue the legacy and our love of music. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 14527 Registered: 4-2004 |
Satipe: Amen! At this time, I honestly don't know where RGB goes from here. Kevin & Ice are integral parts of RGB & I can't ever imagine Billy not singing & I doubt that that's what Al would've wanted. I just hope that when they are done mourning & honestly, do we ever truly stop mourning such a loss in our lives, I hope that they'll continue on bringing the fans the joy that they do & continuing to keep this music alive. While Al will not be there onstage, he'll always be with them in spirit & in their hearts. Whatever they decide to do, I'm with them all the way. In a fair world, the name Al Goodman would be known by everyone. Just as would all of the names of so many of our music luminaries, all of whom are stars to us. | ||
Satipe (satipe) 5-Doyen Username: satipe Post Number: 369 Registered: 4-2004 |
Amen back to you Juice! There is no such thing as a fair world...you know that! We will miss Al. | ||
Marv (marv2) 6-Zenith Username: marv2 Post Number: 4292 Registered: 11-2008 |
Oh boy Satipe you really hit it on the head here! I totally agree with you. The music and artists of our lives and times have been some of the greatest! The admire the groups that have continued on after such deep loses. In the case of Ray,Goodman & Brown I am sure that is what both Harry and Al would have wanted. The first time I saw the Four Tops perform after we lost Lawrence, it really got to me seeing the one lone empty mic stand. When they added Theo Peoples, I still missed seeing Lawrence on the stage but was happy that the group carried on. Al Goodman was an integral part of Ray,Goodman & Brown (The Moments) and very recognizable to the fans. The fact that they carried on all these years after the passing of Harry Ray makes me believe that Al would most certainly want the to go on and on... To Juice, the name Al Goodman is known by the important people ........US! We are the ones that have great taste in music and know quality we see and hear it. Think about it. More people than you, I and even Al knew has heard him and seen him over his long career. Having a household name does not mean quality assured....... | ||
DLM (dlm) 2-Debutant Username: dlm Post Number: 79 Registered: 7-2010 |
Hi Satipe, I was going to post Duke of the Tops and Marshall of the Chilites since you posted them already. I hear Carl Fisher is the only surviving member of the Vibrations that's still with us. I heard it only as rumored. | ||
Ms. M (ms_m) 6-Zenith Username: ms_m Post Number: 10661 Registered: 8-2005 |
Beautiful sentiment Satipe. Reading this made my day, thanks  | ||
JAI NANCE (rhythm66) 6-Zenith Username: rhythm66 Post Number: 6333 Registered: 2-2005 |
WHOA...HOLD THE KOOLAID,DID SOMETHING HAPPEN TO AL GOODMAN? | ||
Marc taylor (mellow_q) 6-Zenith Username: mellow_q Post Number: 588 Registered: 12-2004 |
Jai - Al Goodman passed Monday morning. Check some of the threads below. | ||
tsull (tsull) 6-Zenith Username: tsull Post Number: 2339 Registered: 6-2005 |
Satipe ... Great thread, thanks. As someone who tries to hit as many shows as I can, I've yet to be disappointed in any performance no matter how many originals are left. My one requirement is there should be at least one original left or it's really not the group. That said, props to Duke, Otis, and others, for keeping the legacies alive. I remember the first time I saw the Four Tops, late 90's I believe, yeah, should've been earlier. I was so pumped to see Levi, I didn't know he was no longer touring. Anyway, I was bummed until I heard Theo sing and I truly enjoyed myself with Duke, Obie, Theo, and Ronnie, on stage. It was great fun. I tire of the Tempts revolving door and would prefer such unreal voices like Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Glenn Leonard, Mr. Peoples (again), Barrington Henderson, Damon Harris, etc., were still on board. (Man, look at that lineup ... how do you let those cats walk?!) Nevertheless, I'm glad Otis has kept the group intact. The Whispers were a pure delight on stage last week, of course they have four of the five originals left. The O'Jays have their two lead singers still intact. Embrace these groups -- and all classic soul groups -- while you can. We're entering the end of an unreal era of music. Not a lot of originals left? Don't worry about it, go to the shows! | ||
JAI NANCE (rhythm66) 6-Zenith Username: rhythm66 Post Number: 6334 Registered: 2-2005 |
DAMN ANOTHER LEGEND GONE,ONE OF THE GREATS...R.I.P. | ||
ColtonThomas (soullegends) 6-Zenith Username: soullegends Post Number: 1307 Registered: 10-2008 |
Mark Greene is still around and he's an original. He sang lead on "Not On The Outside". | ||
bigdaddyg2k4 (bigdaddyg2k4) 6-Zenith Username: bigdaddyg2k4 Post Number: 461 Registered: 4-2004 |
What makes it even sadder than all the above, speaking of originals, all of the original members of The Originals ("Baby I'm For Real, "The Bells" and my disco favorite "Down To Love Town") are even no longer living! In fact, the first member to die was in 1981! (I forgot who's his name was and how he died) They were an extraordinary group indeed. | ||
ColtonThomas (soullegends) 6-Zenith Username: soullegends Post Number: 1308 Registered: 10-2008 |
Hank Dixon is still very much with us and I even think Walter Gaines is as well(i'll ask Dillon and find out for sure). | ||
Satipe (satipe) 5-Doyen Username: satipe Post Number: 370 Registered: 4-2004 |
You are right Colton, Hank and Walter of The Originals are still alive. | ||
ColtonThomas (soullegends) 6-Zenith Username: soullegends Post Number: 1309 Registered: 10-2008 |
check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =OAhDPKtgfdk | ||
ColtonThomas (soullegends) 6-Zenith Username: soullegends Post Number: 1310 Registered: 10-2008 |
oh and here's a current video of the Originals with Hank on lead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =oeA0EbGKY14 | ||
Satipe (satipe) 5-Doyen Username: satipe Post Number: 371 Registered: 4-2004 |
Wow Colton! Marshall was the first artist to ever visit one of my schools many years ago so this video was great to see. It is sad to not see Squirrel. As well, The Originals video is great and shows that Hank's voice is exactly the same as the old days. Thanks! I admire your love of music and I know you will keep doing it. | ||
soulwally (soulwally) 6-Zenith Username: soulwally Post Number: 1567 Registered: 1-2005 |
Colton: Thanks very much for posting the Originals video. I've got a voracious appetite for everything assorted with the group, so to see Hank still in possession of all his powers was great. I presume the female was Hank's daughter Terri? | ||
Nosey (nosey) 6-Zenith Username: nosey Post Number: 2977 Registered: 4-2004 |
Watching Hank almost has me in tears. The memories of flying to Detroit to see them at the Twenty Grand and me & my girls following them up and down the east coast in 69, 70 & 71 makes it so sad for me to watch. I loved those guys! (One a little more than I should have.) Oops! ANYWAY, I knew their act better than they did. LOL! Rip Freddie, C.P. (my cousin) and Ty Hunter. | ||
funkymanj (funkymanj) 1-Arriviste Username: funkymanj Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2010 |
Hello, everyone. This is my first post so if I screw up some kinda way, know that it was not intentional. I never post on these things but I am making an exception because of Al's death and I think some of you might find this tidbit interesting. I never met Al (I did meet Harry), although everyone I know that did speaks highly of him. What I do know is that he was an important part of the group, both vocally and otherwise. He will be missed. About 10 years ago (more or less) I went to Wingate to see a group billed as the Moments. Knowing that Ray Goodman and Brown hadn't used that name in years (for reasons we are all familiar with), I went simply out of curiosity. Well, I was in for a surprise. First, "The Moments" turned out to be Billy, Kevin, and Ice - without Al. Let me tell you, and with no disrespect to the memory of Al, they seriously got the job done, with Billy doing the MC'ing. Sure, that bottom was missing but damn if they didn't pull it off - strong. It was particularly memorable for me because it was the first time I saw them do their classic Moments medley (including "A Lovely Way She Loves," which after following around these guys since the early '70s I had NEVER heard them do live). By the way, is there anyone else who was there? Can I get a witness up in here? The bottom line: I hope they go on because they damn sure can handle it. Besides, we need them. Face it folks, the genre (sweet soul or whatever you want to call it) is, to say the least, in crisis. Were are the new groups - male or female? Where's the harmony? We need to support these folks while we can. Al's passing, along with the passing of Ron Banks, TP, Ali Woodson, John E. Carter - it's just too much. Just my two cents. | ||
ladyvanaye (ladyvanaye) 6-Zenith Username: ladyvanaye Post Number: 7620 Registered: 12-2004 |
Just came back from the funeral. What an beautiful and emotional service. Having met and having a few discussions with Al Goodman - that service was about a 'good man'. Blessings to the family and friends as well as constituents of Al Goodman. More later...as usual, I saw Juice there too. | ||
Angel (angel) 3-Pundit Username: angel Post Number: 74 Registered: 10-2008 |
Isn't Willie Ford the last original Dramatic that still performs? | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 6-Zenith Username: paladin Post Number: 6191 Registered: 5-2004 |
Welcome Funkyman, you did just fine. Great question Angel, however if memory serves Willie joined the group around 1968. He was not a original Dramatic. In fact I recall him being a member of the Capitols (of Cool Jerk Fame). This is not to say that he hasn't been a very integral part of a great group far longer than most. | ||
ColtonThomas (soullegends) 6-Zenith Username: soullegends Post Number: 1317 Registered: 10-2008 |
the original members of the Dramatics: Ronald Banks,Larry Reed,Elbert Wilkins, Rob Davis, & Larry "Squirrel" Demps | ||
Marv (marv2) 6-Zenith Username: marv2 Post Number: 4369 Registered: 11-2008 |
Colton, thank you for that clip of the recent performance of the Originals. I've watched it 3 times already. Great! | ||
funkymanj (funkymanj) 1-Arriviste Username: funkymanj Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2010 |
Thanks Kdubya. Much appreciated. To Angel: The original remaining Dramatics are Willie Ford and Larry Demps. However, Larry no longer tours with the group. So yes, the great Willie Ford is the last original one that currently tours. What a bass! | ||
funkymanj (funkymanj) 1-Arriviste Username: funkymanj Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2010 |
Sorry Angel; Kdubya is correct. The original bass singer was Bob Davis, who left in 1968. And yes, Willie was with the Capitals. Willie still is a tough bass singer nonetheless and is the bass singer on all the hits that we know and love. Again, sorry; my bad. | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 6-Zenith Username: paladin Post Number: 6192 Registered: 5-2004 |
@ Funkymanj | ||
michael r. lee shue (mikey) 6-Zenith Username: mikey Post Number: 2945 Registered: 11-2004 |
Is Ray Pollard the last Wanderer? | ||
tallone (tallone) 6-Zenith Username: tallone Post Number: 671 Registered: 3-2005 |
Welcome Funkymanj. You've said it all and you've said it well. | ||
Nosey (nosey) 6-Zenith Username: nosey Post Number: 2978 Registered: 4-2004 |
Mikey, Ray Pollar died some years ago. The thread should be in the archives. | ||
funkymanj (funkymanj) 1-Arriviste Username: funkymanj Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2010 |
Thanks tallone and kdubya. BTW - Here's a download link to an Al Goodman tribute that was broadcast live on Saturday, 7/31. It includes live interviews with Reggie Haynes, Butch from Tavares, Gerald Alston, Billy Brown, Cliff Perkins, and more. It also includes a few Moments/RGB musical selections. http://stmsradio.podomatic.com /enclosure/2010-08-02T15_29_18 -07_00.mp3 | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 6-Zenith Username: paladin Post Number: 6194 Registered: 5-2004 |
Thanks for sharing, appreciate it. | ||
funkymanj (funkymanj) 1-Arriviste Username: funkymanj Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2010 |
No problem, Kdubya. Enjoy and spread the love. I'll post on the other Al Goodman threads as well. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 14546 Registered: 4-2004 |
Mr. Funkyman J: Welcome aboard & thanks for the link to the podcast. I'll be checking it out! | ||
michael r. lee shue (mikey) 6-Zenith Username: mikey Post Number: 2949 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hi Nosey: Thanks for reminding me that Ray Pollard passed in 2005. | ||
funkymanj (funkymanj) 1-Arriviste Username: funkymanj Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2010 |
No problem, Juice. Enjoy and spread the love. Did anyone out there attend the service for Al Goodman? | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 14549 Registered: 4-2004 |
Yes, I was amongst a few who did. Dyvanaye was also in attendance. It was sad, yet beautiful & they definitely sent Al home the right way. | ||
funkymanj (funkymanj) 1-Arriviste Username: funkymanj Post Number: 9 Registered: 8-2010 |
When you get a chance, could you fill those of us who could not make it a brief synopsis of what took place? It would be much appreciated. |
