'Prime'-time for The Spinners!

Beyond Rock Hall fame, harmonic 'happiness'

I used to be constantly amazed at what folks call ‘coincidence,’ ‘happenstance’ or how ‘destiny’ unfolds. With each passing day, I see that how events occur in my life that have rhyme and reason (rather than the “No Rhyme, No Reason” title track of the 3CD by the inestimably brilliant music man George Duke, released last year on my SoulMusic Records UK reissue label!).

Take my recent history with the iconic vocal group, The Spinners, inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame on Friday, November 3, 2023. I can proudly say that I co-wrote “I’m In My Prime” with award-winning music man Preston Glass, which is the first track on the group’s August 2021 album, “‘Round The Block And Back Again” which Preston produced.

In addition, almost two years after I put in a request to release the amazing first eight studio albums on Atlantic Records produced by musical master, the late Thom Bell on my UK reissue label SoulMusic Records, the luxurious 7CD box set, “Ain’t No Price On Happiness” (issued in September) is the fastest and best-selling project we’ve had to date! Talk about being in a ‘spin’!

As I recall, my first memories of The Spinners (named ‘The Detroit Spinners’ in the UK ro distinguish them from a popular British folk group with the same name) likely began when I worked at Contempo, the tiny-but-thriving record shop on Hanway Street in London’s West End around 1970, 1971. Climbing the long-and-winding staircase to the headquarters of ‘Blues & Soul’ (the go-to international publication covering R&B, soul, funk, dance and related genres from 1966 on), enthusiastic record buyers would crowd into the little office, particularly on Saturdays where customers were eager for the latest import singles and albums fresh off the plane from America. At Contempo, we also had ‘Soul Packs,’ a collection of US imported singles, essentially cut-outs (or records out of print) from major labels such as Motown, Stax and Chess which were sold for the unbelievably low price of (10) for £1! More than once, a few Motown releases by The Spinners (most notably their 1965 US charted single, “I’ll Always Love You”) would end up in the masses of 45s (many now rare) that we would create as part of the Contempo Record Club!

The Spinners had experienced virtually no major consistent chart success after joining the Motown roster in 1963 until just before their tenure with the label was ending when the still-rousing “It’s A Shame,” produced and co-written by Stevie Wonder became a US and UK hit in 1970. Personally, I also loved the follow up, “We’ll Have It Made,” another Wonder production, which was supposedly the precursor for what might have been a full album by Stevie with the group. Before that could materialize, The Spinners had left Motown. Within a year, thanks to a conversation the group’s longtime Detroit friend, supernova Aretha Franklin had with Atlantic Records’ senior executives, the group signed to the label.

The rest is indeed music history as “Ain’t No Price On Happiness,” intentionally named by myself and the illustrious Joe Marchese of The Second Disc (who contributed stellar notes and co-produced our 2023 SoulMusic Records’ box set) is evidenced with hit-after-hit. On a for real personal note: as I was leaving a grocery store just a day or so before The Spinners got their ‘Rock & Roll’ props, what wafts through the loud speakers? ‘If ever you need me, if ever you want me.…’ The other customers might have wondered why I was smiling and singing along with the group’s first massive 1972 hit, “I’ll Be Around”! The vibe of ‘no coincidence’ continues to resonate!

After I became the US Editor for ‘Blues & Soul,’ I conducted interviews with The Spinners in the mid-’70s: check out my 1975 chat with Pervis Jackson, “Living And Laughing.”

Vividly, I remember having great conversations with the group’s esteemed manager Buddy Allen whose midtown Manhattan office was just blocks from where I lived. Buddy, his wife Connie and son Steve (who became The Spinners’ road manager for a while) were absolutely key to the group’s ascendance as global hitmakers. Of course, master producer Thom Bell with his incredible skills as a conductor, arranger and songwriter made sure The Spinners were a priority.

The group went through some personnel changes, with Philippe Wynne (whose distinctive voice was at the heart-and-soul of so many of The Spinners’ classic ‘70s ballads such “Love Don’t Love Nobody” and “Sadie”) leaving and replaced by John Edwards in 1977, continuing to score further hits in the early ‘80s.

Current members Jessie Peck, Ronnie Moss, Marvin Taylor and C.J. Jefferson are keeping The Spinners’ brand alive (after the remaining original member Henry Fambrough retired from performing in April 2023 at the age of 80): renowned film maker and documentarian Odu Adamu conducted a two-part video interview with Jessie and Ronnie for SoulMusic.com just a month before the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction. Check it the videos at Soul Talkin’ at SoulMusic.com

An excellent musical tribute to The Spinners by New Edition, with some nifty choreography and tight harmonies was unquestionably a major highpoint of the night which sadly did not include an onstage presentation of the group’s induction; on a strictly personal note, I could say (with no apology for ‘speaking song title’), it’s a shame.

Then again personally, I’m not a major fan of the R&R Hall of Fame, particularly given the process of selection for inductees. I’m just waiting for a smart broadcaster (hint) to see the value of The SoulMusic Hall Of Fame, curated through polls by popular vote at my SoulMusic.com website since 2012! Any offers?

Anytime any of the great R&B and soul music pioneers are receipts of recognition is cause for celebration for those of us for whom the genre has been and continues to be the real tapestry for our lives.

Speaking song title as I often do (and with no apologies) I say, there truly ain’t no price on happiness and yes, best to get your props and respect while you’re in your prime!

© 2023, David Nathan/Blue Butterfly Entertainment Ltd. (UK), all rights reserved