Celebrating 60 years as a soulful scribe!
Back In Stride Again (with a nod to Maze and Frankie Beverly, RIP)
Phew…. It's hard to believe that it’s been almost a year since I wrote a new post on Substack! The ‘back’ story isn’t worth delving into in detail, other than to say that an error with my subscriber list (over 300 at the time) resulted in its’ disappearance!
Since this month represents my 60th anniversary as a working scribe in the world of R&B and soul music, I figured what better time to reignite my presence on Substack. I time my 60 years from when I received the letter from Pearl, the secretary of the husband-manager of Nina Simone informing me that I had been given approval to start the first ‘Appreciation Society’ (or fan club) in Britain for Miss Simone in April 1965. Imagine how thrilled I was!
I was about to join the select group of ardent lovers of American R&B (and related genres) who had started British fan clubs for the likes of Dionne Warwick, The Shirelles, James Brown and Otis Redding along with the Tamla Motown Appreciation Society!
Still attending grammar school as a 17-year old, I was beyond excited. Nina's music had already become the focal point of my world outside of school, even though she was virtually unknown outside the US.
A follow up letter with signed photos, information about Miss Simone and the news that she would be visiting Britain and Europe for the first time in June and before I knew it, I had written the first newsletter for the newly-formed official "Nina Simone Appreciation Society"!
On some level, it was my 'destiny' so to speak: that one day in April 2025 marked the start of an incredible journey sixty years on during which I have written literally millions of words!
I’m ever thankful and grateful to Nina for the spell she cast, 're'-connecting us and my magical life and career that has followed since! Who knew….
