RETRO KIMMER AT THE DETROIT MUSIC LEGENDS SHOW!

Scott Morgan's flyers photo: Alex Sing

Well we did it! After a month of sorting through Scott Morgan's valuable stash of rock history we loaded up my jeep and sped off to Gibraltar Trade Center in Taylor, Michigan.

Scott Morgan and Retro: Kimmer photo: Alex Sing

My crew included Drummer Al King the fantastic salesman extraordinaire, Emcee Stanley T. Madhatter, my very talented daughter Lesley and her fab photographer friend Alex Sing.

We sold a bunch of items. Lots of posters, flyers and one of a kind snap shots too. From even before the doors opened we were busy with customers. We were trying to set up and take money at the same time.

Lesley spent hours making buttons for the fans. She sold quite a few. We made Think Rational buttons as we couldn't locate Scott's missing box of Rats buttons. Hope to find them someday! The buttons are so cool.

Artist Lesley Maki Photo: Alex Sing 

Question Mark

Finally met Question Mark and spent some time chatting with him back stage before his show. He told me all about the lady who makes his stage outfits. This shirt was fantastic!

John Troutman and Kimmer photo: Alex Sing

Met John Troutman a pal from Facebook. He was so great! He bought a ton of posters and stuff! And drum roll plz.... he has a huge Radio Birdman tattoo! Knew we liked him! Came home and emailed Deniz Tek about it! Frijid Pink is a Detroit area hard rock/blues band formed in 1967, best known for their version of "House of the Rising Sun," released in 1969.  The initial line-up of the band included drummer Richard Stevers, guitarist Gary Ray Thompson, bassist Tom Harris, lead singer Tom Beaudry (aka:Kelly Green), and later added Larry Zelanka as off-staff keyboardist.

Our friend Jim Randolph played guitar with Pink too! They had the most fantastic booth in the whole show! Hot Pink and black. Just gorgeous. Rick gave me a think pink button which I love. Bobby Balderrama is a fantastic musician. He has played guitar with The Mysterians since he was 13 years old. He has also played with Joe "King" Carasco and The Robert Lee Band and now fronting The Robert Lee Revue. Got to meet Bobby and he was so very nice. Scott went to see him as they have known each other for many years. Scott knows positively everyone!

The Shades of Blue

Nick A. Marinelli (The original Shades of Blue lead singer) was born in Detroit, and he spent his early years in Detroit's northwest Italian neighborhood. The family moved to California for a short time and in the '50s, moved back to Livonia, Michigan, where Nick attended Emerson Jr. High. At this time, Nick hooked up with some guys who were into street-corner Doo-Wop. That's when things took off. Back then they called themselves "Little Bow & The Arrows," singing at local schools and small teen clubs. In the late '50s and early '60s, while attending Franklin High in Livonia, Nick got serious about music. Nick, Bob Kerr, Ernine Denai and Dan Guise renamed the group "The Domingos."

OH how happy I was to see them perform!!!

Thank you Scott, Al, Lesley, Hatter (RIP), and special thanks to Ms. Alex Sing for the photos!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT RICHARDSON OF SRC!!!

 

In honor of my friend Scott's birthday I am going to share these photos and some of the best SRC (Scot Richard Case) music. First a little history on one of my favorite of all rock bands!


This is one of my favorite songs of all time.... Dig EG Clawson on the kit, Glenn Q on Keyboards and Scott's gorgeous vocals. In the Eye of the Storm:

The SRC was formed by combining lead vocalist Scott Richardson, of The Chosen Few, with local band The Fugitives, which featured Glenn Quackenbush, Gary Quackenbush, and drummer E.G. Clawson (RIP), all based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Detroit could really rock it but Ann Arbor had it's own music world. Now days people generally refer to the Ann Arbor bands as being "Detroit" rock n roll. That's ok we don't mind, but to be from Ann Arbor in the late 60's was rock heaven to us at Gallup Park, West Park, Bowen Fieldhouse, Hill Auditorium and more.

We claim SRC, Bob Seger, Scott Morgan and The Rationals, Deon Jackson, Ted Nugent lived here, MC5 lived here too and of course The Stooges grew up here. What a town! Jeep Holland, manager of Discount Records in Ann Arbor, owned A2 Records also the manager of Scott Morgan and The Rationals, became their manager. Jeep suggested Richardson as lead singer. Second guitarist Steve Lyman, and Bass player Robin Dale were added later. The only two original members and the creative force behind the songwriting are Scott Richardson and Glenn Quackenbush.

The Chosen Few

I asked Scott tonight on the phone which of his SRC tunes he liked best and the very first one he said was MY favorite too! Checkmate! I used to play the grooves right off this song. Hope you all dig this song too...

Jeep Holland, later served as one of Russ Gibb's booking agents and was associated with many of the top Detroit based artists of his time such as my pals in the MC5, The Thyme,). They formed the Scot Richard Case (band), later known as SRC.

A review of the first SRC album: This album is quintessential 1968 with it's magical lyrics and intense music . . . Lyrics reference literature, mythology, physics, metaphysics, and mathematics (the space between two points within the boundary of time is only numbers on a clock, a never ending line . . . . Most young bands tha followed featured the SRC's powerful single, "Black Sheep" as part of their set lists. Scott Richardson, relocated to Los Angeles and became involved in films. He served as writer on Hearts of Fire, which starred Bob Dylan and worked on sets for two of The Lord of the Rings films, wrote screenplays, was creative coordinator on Hail Hail Rock n Roll (Chuck Berry) and also wrote a novel called "King of the Shadows." 

SRC was a band that musically sounded more like an orchestra than just a "band". It was impossible to believe that a small group of musicians could produce such layered complicated music and lyrics. There were many bands that had a similar sound. King Crimson, Thunderclap Newman, and Quicksilver Messenger Service, but mostly they were one hit wonder bands. SRC's music is timeless. The original line up was as follows: Scott Richardson (vocals), Steve Lyman (rhythm guitar and vocals), Gary Quackenbush (lead guitar), Glenn Quackenbush (organ), Robin Dale (bass and vocals) and E.G. Clawson (Drums). With growing popularity, the band split from Jeep Holland and began to open in and around Detroit for several national and international artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Traffic, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin and The Mamas & the Papas among others. 

Soon after the success of their first record the band began to work on a second album. Milestones was released in March 1969. From this album they released the single "Up All Night" / "Turn Into Love" (Capitol) in 1969. Discography Singles •"I'm So Glad"/ "Who Is That Girl" (as "The Scot Richard Case", 1967, A-Square) •"Get The Picture" (as "The Old Exciting Scot Richard Case")/ "I Need You" (by "The Early Rationals") (1967, A-Square) •"Black Sheep" / "Morning Mood" (1968, Capitol Records) •"Up All Night" / "Turn Into Love" (1969, Capitol Records) •"Never Before Now" / "My Fortune's Coming True" (1970, Capitol Records) •"Born To Love" / "Badaz Shuffle" (1971, Big Casino Records) •"Out In The Night" / "Gypsy Eyes" (1972, Rare Earth Records) Albums •SRC (1968, Capitol Records) •Milestones (1969, Capitol Records) •Traveler's Tale (1970, Capitol Records)

TONIGHT IN TAYLOR MOTOR CITY MUSIC LEGENDS SHOW

Finally! Today is the day. I have spent weeks cataloging Scott Morgan's cache of memorabilia. All from the time when rock was really innovative and exciting. Last night Drummer Al King and I went over to Scott's for one last expedition to uncover more rare collectibles.

I wanted Al King to go with me as he is so meticulous and organized. He dug into the large bins in Scott's walk in closet. Buried in the very bottom bin was a ton of rare posters and Grande Ballroom handbill/cards. All from 1967-1971. Al found a ton of Sonic's Rendezous Band promotional items. Posters, candid onstage photos, professional promo photos, tee shirts and more...

We have lots of original flyes from many bands including SRB and the MC5!

FRANK SINATRA AND DEAN MARTIN: COOLNESS NEVER ENDS

FRANK SINATRA

He provided the soundtrack for several generations of Americans trying to navigate the rocky shoals of romance and grapple with love and heartbreak. And he became one of 20th-century pop culture’s quintessential men of contradictions: the bullying tough guy whose singing could radiate a remarkable tenderness and vulnerability; the ring-a-ding-ding Vegas sophisticate with an existential outlook on life; the jaunty urbanite who could deliver a torch song like no one else.

Fans could recognize his voice from two or three perfectly phrased syllables, and they knew him instantly from his style: the rakishly tilted hat, the coat slung over one shoulder, the Camels and Jack Daniel’s.

Dean Martin Discography

This is the Dean Martin Fan Center page and it is really good. I miss Dean and Frank. I read Dean's Daughter's book and I loved the back stories of Dean's life.

 The Rat Pack:

The 1960s version of the Rat Pack included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and for a brief stint, Norman Fell. Marilyn Monroe, Angie Dickinson, Juliet Prowse, and Shirley MacLaine were often referred to as the "Rat Pack Mascots", a title which reportedly made these ladies feel like "one of the boys".

FRANK SINATRA

The post-Bogart version of the group (Bogart died in 1957) was reportedly never called that name by any of its members — they called it the Summit or the Clan. "The Rat Pack" was a term used by journalists and outsiders, although it remains the lasting name for the group.

Often, when one of the members was scheduled to give a performance, the rest of the Pack would show up for an impromptu show, causing much excitement among audiences, resulting in return visits.

They sold out almost all of their appearances, and people would come pouring into Las Vegas, sometimes sleeping in cars and hotel lobbies when they could not find rooms, just to be part of the Rat Pack entertainment experience.

The marquees of the hotels at which they were performing as individuals would read, for example, "DEAN MARTIN - MAYBE FRANK - MAYBE SAMMY" as seen on a Sands Hotel sign.

Peter Lawford was a brother-in-law of President John F. Kennedy (dubbed "Brother-in-Lawford" by Sinatra), and the group played a role in campaigning for him and the Democrats, appearing at the July 11, 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

Lawford had asked Sinatra if he would have Kennedy as a guest at his Palm Springs house in March 1963, and Sinatra went to great lengths (including the construction of a helipad) to accommodate the President.

 Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr.

When Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy advised his brother to sever his ties to Sinatra because of the entertainer's association with Mafia figures such as Sam Giancana, the stay was cancelled.

Kennedy instead chose to stay at rival Bing Crosby's estate, which further infuriated Sinatra. Lawford was blamed for this, and Sinatra "never again had a good word for (him)" from that point onwards. Lawford's role in the upcoming 4 for Texas was written out, and his part in Robin and the Seven Hoods was given to Bing Crosby.

SCOTT MORGAN GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN!

Lot's of autographed merchandise! Original vinyl records LP's and 7 inch EP's too! This Saturday at Gibraltar Trade Center Taylor Michigan! Motor City Music Legends Show and Scott definitely qualifies and has never before sold his private collection of rock memorabilia! Wait till you see the stuff he has saved over the years.

Come out this Saturday at 6pm and meet Scott Morgan in person with Retro: Kimmer (me) and my artist daughter Lesley (Gullacass).

"Talking with some friends after dinner many years ago, Rob Tyner explained how it had been the ambition of every Motor City rock singer of his generation to come as close as possible to the spirit and passion of the R&B and soul stars who surrounded them. Then he looked across the table to Scott Morgan and laughed, "All except this guy," he said. "He just went out there and did it"." (Dave Marsh, 1988).

Scott Morgan at The Michigan State Fair

Scott Morgan was 16-years-old when his first band played to an audience of 13,000 fans, literally stopping the show as the screaming crowd rushed the stage. Growing up in Ann Arbor, a hip college town 40 miles from Detroit, he fronted the Rationals, an Ann Arbor blue eyed soul (green eyes in Scott's case) outfit managed by A-Square Records impresario Jeep Holland.

Their early singles featured assistance from local luminaries like Bob Seger and a blues drummer named Jim Osterberg . A couple of years later, Osterberg was wreaking mayhem all across the U.S.A. as Iggy Pop.

The Rationals' soulful cover of Otis Redding's "Respect" pre-dated Aretha Franklin's by a year, and was picked up for national distribution by Cameo-Parkway. A couple of years later, their single "Guitar Army" neatly encapsulated the explosive ethos of the Motor City and provided a title for MC5 mentor John Sinclair's book of street and prison writings.

Morgan teaming with MC5 guitarist Fred "Sonic" Smith, Stooges drummer Scott "Rock Action" Asheton, and Up bassist Gary Rasmussen in the legendary Detroit super group, Sonic's Rendezvous Band. Swimming against the mid-seventies tide of commercial music, the Rendezvous played their uncompromising rock in backwoods dives as well as hip venues like Detroit's Bookies and Ann Arbor's Second Chance.

Scott wrote and sang half of the band's material, including their set-opening energy jolt "Electrophonic Tonic." But that perfect balance of Morgan/Sonic proved impossible to sustain and by the time the band stopped performing, sometime in 1980, they had completed only one vinyl artifact -- a two-sided single of Smith's classic song "City Slang."

For years, tapes of jaw-dropping live shows passed from hand to hand, fan to fan, until Mack Aborn Rhythmic Arts released the live "Sweet Nothing" disc in 1999, a classic recording of the Rendezvous in full flight. (Also in that year, the Rendezvous remnants regrouped with Radio Birdman guitarist Deniz Tek standing in Sonic's spot for a show at the Magic Stick in Detroit. A recording of the set was released on Real O Mind as "Gettin' There is Half the Fun.")

 

THE BEATLES GO PSYCHEDELIC WITH RICHARD AVEDON

The Beatles PopArt.com

Master fashion and portrait photographer Richard Avedon created the portraits of the Beatles in 1967. The individual portraits were done in a style that reflected the psychedelic spirit of the time and immediately proclaimed works of genius.

In 1967 The Beatles company "Nems" contracted Richard Avedon to create the design and then gave the distribution rights to different outlets in different countries.

The Publications that would handle the distribution were: in the USA "LOOK" magazine where you could order your set with a pullout tab, and send away for your set to come in the mail for $1.50.In England it was the Daily Express Newspaper that handled distribution. In Europe it was "Stern" magazine that distributed the posters and they were sold at Newstands in special presentation boxes like the one pictured below. In has recently come to my attention that there was a Japanese printing as well.

Ringo Starr

George Harrison

All 4 printings were simultaneous in 1967 and there were 4 different printers, one from each country that printed the posters for their respective Publication. The Stern and Daily Express posters were similar in size measuring approx 19" x 27" while the Look version was slightly bigger at 22" x 31".

The only printing that will go up in value, is the 1st printing, anything else is not worth more than the decorative face value. Many people ask how many were printed and we have not yet discovered a figure, but one has to assume with the popularity of the Beatles at the height of their fame in 1967, and the add campaign with John Lennon on the cover of 'Look" magazine, they must have printed 10's of thousands. This is not as important as the question of, "how many have survived".


People put them up on the walls with scotch tape and many just got thrown away. Who would have thought they would become an important art statement and represented in "Pop Art" museum shows and "1960's" museum shows and "Rock and Roll" museum shows.


Richard Avedon (1923-2004), an American photographer is credited with raising fashion photography to an art form. He also became one of the most acclaimed portrait photographers of the 1900's. In 1967, he created the famous Beatles posters which were printed and sold in Germany.

 

 Paul McCartney

John Lennon

The set includes separate posters of each Beatle, with a bonus poster in black and white of the "Fab 4." The individual posters measure 19" x 27" and the group poster measures 41" x 15. All posters are linen backed and in excellent condition. This set is a MUST for Beatles lovers. Free shipping within the U.S.

Read More on RK:

The Fool: Psychedelic Design Collective
Fashion Photography 1960's London
Photographer Heather Harris Explains Psychedelic Technique
Pattie Boyd Rocked the 60's

SATURDAY NIGHT WITH THE SEATBELTS AND RUINERS!!!

Cool Poster by Guitarist Rick Mills!

Hey gang! Finally got all my photos edited and lucky for all of us Alex Upshur came out to video The Seatbelts and Ruiners last night! He has such talent and a fantastic camera... am so envious. Alex is working on a music video for The Seatbelts and was there shooting incidental shots. His website is GreenRayStudios.com

I begged him to make a video for my story and it is in processing right now! It is ready poor Alex worked on this all day! Thanks so much Alex!!! Your video is so high quality! I wish I liked editing video better than I do...

Fabulous Guitarist Rick Mills

Nina Friday Susie Forkin and Catherine Hunter

Well The Madhatter and I got a late start last night and arrived at Smalls in Hamtramck around 10:30 pm and the place was hoppin! So glad to see so many of my friends were there to see these 2 really great bands.

Greg Upshur

Well it was great fun seeing the Seatbelts and The Ruiners play again. I was there for the SB's reunion show in August. The pairing of the Seatbelts together with the Ruiners was a brilliant idea!

I was fairly certain that Alex Upshur would be there supporting his dad Greg Upshur lead singer for the SB's. It was great news for me that when I walked into the show room I saw a young camera guy. Had never met Alex in person so I just handed him my RK post card so he would know who I was without me having to scream over the band.

Photo: Gaetano Urso

Here is a gang of happy folks from last night! Right in the front are Alex Upshur and his girlfriend Sara. What a fun bunch of folks! Lots of the Upshur family were present Mom and kids, Stonee Moran (Skid's daughter), Skid Marx, Me, Carrie Marx and someone write in to tell me who I missed? We saw Guitarist Gary Adams as we were leaving! Got a brief moment to talk with him while I searched the club for my missing red glove :(.

Liz Ruiner!

Hey we want to talk with Liz! She magically appears then disappears too! Hey Liz I want to interview you! I did stand right by Liz and watched her play (so good!) and she reminds me of Suzi Quatro with her low slung bass guitar!

 Gaetano Urso Skid Marx and Tony Bojanic

Finally met guitarist Gaetano Urso and so charming and sweet! He so kindly took my camera and lined up a huge group shot! He nailed it in one take! Such a nice guy and great musician too!

RK, Rich and Michelle Houndsell 

Linda Lexy Nina Friday and Rick Ruiner

I came in and sat with Rick Ruiner and his friends from school. Really nice folks. What a total drag though is I lost one of my new Red leather gloves! So bummed... just got them too.

Didn't see the Hatter all night until after the show ended. I heard him introducing the bands. It was a very lovely room with everyone in fine spirit. Hamtramck is a nice town with great clubs to go see a show. Friendly and helpful. One of the Smalls' owners even helped look for my missing red gloves.

Also on hand were Ms Lexy and her favorite drummer Tino Gross of the Howling Diablos. We also got a new set of autographed drum sticks to add to our shelf of honor! Tony B gave me his sticks from the gig last night! I love them and Tony B does such a great job drumming for the Seatbelts.

It was so nice to see Wendy Starz and Susie Forkin of the Motor City Rah Rahs. They sparkle up every room they walk in. Such spirit and joy!

Read More on RK:
The Seatbelts Reunion ShowThe Mustang Chef Greg Upshur
The Ruiners: Rock Stock N Barrel
Ivan Kral's film screening of BLANK GENERATION