Welcome to the Greater Michigan Musicians Almanac. Technically speaking it is actually a listing, but the word ‘almanac’ has a certain ‘ring’ to it for me. The purpose of this endeavor is to give honorable mention to MANY artists who contributed to MUSIC throughout different regions in the state of Michigan. The focus of this document has expanded from my original geographic boundaries because I already know that over time it will include artists from the Upper and Lower Michigan peninsulas. It doesn’t matter where the artists are originally from. Any time spent in the various Michigan regions is worthy of inclusion.
What that means is this: I view this listing as a living document in motion over the years as more names are added gradually. The viewer will notice that descriptions of genres such as jazz, blues, rock, gospel, etc. are not present. The reason for this is to treat the music in a non-polarized, wholistic manner of commonalities—not differences. The music industry has done much damage in that regard.
You will also notice that alphabetizing the name of musicians from A to Z is used. However, within each listing of a person’s last name I have chosen not to adhere to a strict alphabetical rule. For example, for the artists with last names ending in “A”, Jack Ashford’s name is listed first, but Jimmy Allen’s name is listed under Jack’s which is not in a “true” order. However, with countless numbers of names to be listed over the years I opted to take a less time-consuming approach.
For vocal groups I have attempted to identify all group members pertaining to each group. The one exception is The Temptations (LOTS of members over the years), so I’ll list the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd versions which involved one member change each. All are alphabetized but not listed according to genre. The same thing applies to bands or instrumental groups. There have been some groups who feature singing as a minor addition to their mostly instrumental presentations. My suggestion is for ALL viewers to look at each entry on each page. The reason is to become familiar with roughly 98 percent of the names mentioned that never receive honorable mention in anyone’s media. Rather than look for the names you KNOW, view all of the names you DON’T KNOW, too.
Singular vocalists are also alphabetized without genre references. Many years ago comedians used to provide “audience warm up” sets before the headlining music performers would take the stage. This was an era before comedy clubs existed and the comedians and musicians were practical extensions of each other in which some comedians also sang.
The ‘support’ category is for those who were promoters, booking agencies, venue owners, wholesale & retail music businesses. They were all dependent on the promotion men who traveled the U.S. placing the recordings in “friendly” regions which had performance venues and retail outlets, the music agencies who booked artists, and the jukebox men who placed phonograph recordings on jukeboxes in venues city-wide in an era when radio airplay was considered an elite playground for a limited number of artists.
Special thanks to pianist Charles Greene for contributing the names of many musicians to this project— many that I was not familiar with. Other very helpful references were issues of the Michigan Musician, an excellent publication that existed during the latter half of the 1970’s, ‘Grit Noise and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock ‘N’ Roll’ by David A. Garson, ‘Before Motown’ by Lars Bjorn with Jim Gallert, ‘Groovesville USA: The Detroit Soul & R&B Index by Keith Rylatt, “Detroit Country Music” by Craig Maki with Keith Cady, and numerous internet sources.
Yours truly, Dr. Prof. Leonard King, has remained connected to my hometown Detroit MI even when I lived in another city and state for 10 years. Some bonds are just not broken. For more information about me view my autobiography at www.visgerroadplayground.com.
Lastly, as I mentioned earlier this is a living document which will be consistently expanded over time. There are many among you who are aware of more artists worthy of inclusion. Contact me at leonard@leonardkingdrums.com Give the full names and the instruments played for each artist. For groups list the group name and individual names within each group.
Leonard Clyde King Jr.
Copyright © 2021-2022
CHUCK ADAMS--GUITAR
PARK "PEPPER" ADAMS-SAXOPHONE
DWIGHT ADAMS--TRUMPET
BENJAMIN ADKINS—BASS
GERALDINE "GERI" ALLEN
JIMMY ALLEN—BASS
JIMMY ALLEN—DRUMS
RICHARD "PISTOL" ALLEN--DRUMS
JOHN "JOHNNY" ALLEN—PIANO/ARRANGER
AUDREY ALLISON--PERCUSSION
ROBERT "BOB" ALLISON—VIBRAPHONE
DAVID ALVAREZ—DRUMS
JACK ASHFORD—PERCUSSION & VIBRAPHONE
TIMOTHY TICORAY ALLISON—TRUMPET
WILLIAM ALBERTS--PIANO
BOB BABBITT (birth name Robert Andrew Kreinar) - BASS
BEN BABER—ORGAN
DENNIS BALENGER—DRUMS
CHARLES BANNISTER—DRUMS
KEN BANNON JR.—PATRON
ROBERT BARNES—SAXOPHONE
LOUIS BARNETT—TENOR SAXOPHONE
JOHN BARRON—BASS
RICHARD BEAMON—DRUMS
GEORGE BEDARD—GUITAR/VOCALS
KASAN BELGRAVE—SAXOPHONE
MARCUS BELGRAVE—TRUMPET
NORMA JEAN BELL—SAXOPHONE
ALLEN BEUTLER—SAXOPHONE
FARUK Z. BEY—SAXOPHONE
DOMINIC BIERENGA—SAXOPHONE
RAYSE BIGGS—TRUMPET
TRAVIS BIGGS—VIOLIN
STEPHEN BOEGEHELD—DRUMS
STANLEY "CHIEF" BOOKER—PIANO
VINCENT BOWENS—SAXOPHONE
THOMAS "BEANS" BOWLES—SAXOPHONE/FLUTE
DONOVAN BOXEY—SAXOPHONE
FELTON BRADLEY—BASS
DAVID BRANDON—DRUMS
MILLER BRISKER—SAXOPHONE
RONALD BROOKS—BASS
ALEX BROOKS—DRUMS
ROY BROOKS—DRUMS/CARPENTERS SAW/PIANO/MARIMBA
CALVIN BROOKS—GUITAR
ANDRE BROOKS—PIANO
NATHAN BROWN—BASS
NATHAN BROWN—BASS
JAMES BROWN—DRUMS
LORENZO "SPOONS" BROWN—PERCUSSION
FREDDIE BUTLER—GUITAR/VOCALS
HINDAL BUTTS—DRUMS
DR. DONALDSON BYRD—TRUMPET/EDUCATOR
BILL CAIRO—DRUMS
GORDON CAMP—TRUMPET
JEFF CANADY—DRUMS
CHARLES CARRINGTON—BASS
LOWELL CAUFFIEL—GUITAR
VAN CEPHUS—KEYBOARDS
RODERICK "PEANUT" CHANDLER—BASS
GARY CHANDLER—TRUMPET
GARY CHRISTA—PIANO
JOHNNY CLAPTON—SAXOPHONE
GERALD CLEAVER--DRUMS
JOHN CLEAVER—DRUMS
STANLEY CLEVELAND—TRUMPET
BOBBY CLIFF—DRUMS
CHRISTIAN CODISH—ORGAN/PIANO
GREGORY COLES—BASS
ALEX COLISTA—SAXOPHONE
LOUIS "MR. BO" COLLINS—GUITAR/VOCALS
GREGORY COOK—BASS
SAMUEL COPPERMAN—BASS
MAX COSTER—BASS
DAVE "ROCK BOTTOM" COX - BASS, DRUM SET
KENNETH L. COX II - PIANO
JAMES "HERISHIMO" COX—PIANO/ORGAN
HUBERT CRAWFORD—BASS
ROBERT "BOB" CUSAR—TROMBONE/DRUMS
DARREN DaCOSTA—BASS
KEVIN DaCOSTA—PIANO
IKE DANEY—DRUMS
GEORGE DAVIDSON—DRUMS
DON DeANDRE—PIANO
JOSEF DEAS—BASS
JASON DIDIA—SAXOPHONE
MARCUS DOUGLAS—DRUMS
JOHN DOUGLAS—TRUMPET
WILLIAM "BILL" DOWDY--DRUMS
JACK DRYDEN—BASS
ALBERT DUNCAN—TROMBONE/PIANO
DARRYL DUNCAN—TRUMPET
JOSEPH DUNLAP—TRUMPET/BASS
PAUL EMORY--TRUMPET
RONALD ENGLISH--GUITAR
NORMAN ENGLISH—GUITAR
WILLIAM ERSKINE—DRUMS
DEON ESTES—BASS
CHARLES EUBANKS—PIANO
JOHN "SHOWTIME" EVANS
WILLIAM "PILL" EVANS—PIANO
SAM FERRANTE—CONGA
ANTHONY FICHERA—GUITAR
THOMAS "BUBS" FIDDLER—BASS
JOSEPH "AMP" FIDDLER—KEYBOARD/VOCAL
REGINALD "SHOO-BE-DOO" FIELDS—BASS
BUDDY FOLKS—HARMONICA/GUITAR/VOCAL
CURTIS FORD—ORGAN
ROBERT "BOB" FOSTER—BASS
T.J. FOWLER—PIANO
PAUL FRANKLIN
JOEL FRYER—DRUMS
MICHAEL GABRIEL—GUITAR
JASON GADDIS—DRUMS
FRANK GARCIA JR.—BASS
JUAN GARTRELL—GUITAR
MARK GEDDES—BASS
RANDY GELESPIE—DRUMS
GERARD GIBBS—ORGAN/PIANO
ANDREW GIBSON—DRUMS
ROBERT GILLESPIE—GUITAR
KENNETH GILMORE—DRUMS
KEITH GLASS—DRUMS
JERRY GLASSELL—GUITAR
JAMES GLASS—GUITAR
DEDRICK GLOVER—BASS
JOHN GLOVER-GUITAR
EDWARD GOOCH—TROMBONE
ANDY GOODRICH—SAXOPHONE
RICHARD GOULD—DRUMS
VASSAL GRADINGTON III a/k/a DJ—KEYBOARDS
CHARLES GREENE—KEYBOARDS
GEORGE GREEN—GUITAR
KENNETH GREEN--PIANO
MELVIN GRIFFIN—SAXOPHONE/KEYBOARDS
MIGUEL GUTIERREZ—DRUMS
THOMAS HALE—SAXOPHONE
VICTOR HALL—PIANO
JEFF HALL—SAXOPHONE
DAVE HAMILTON—GUITAR/VIBRAPHONE
MICHAEL HAMILTON—PIANO
LAMONT HAMILTON—SAXOPHONE
WILLIE HAMPTON—GUITAR
DONALD "HANK" HANKINS—SAXOPHONE
ALEX HARDING—SAXOPHONE
ALFORD HARRELL A/K/A CHICAGO PETE—BASS/VOCAL
MONZOLA "COOKEY" HARRELL—FLUTE/SAXOPHONE
THEODORE HARRIS JR.—PIANO/SAXOPHONE
WENDELL HARRISON—SAXOPHONE
BARRIS HARRIS—PIANO
EUGENE "GENE" HARRIS—PIANO
TRENT HARRIS—SAXOPHONE
BUTTER HAWKINS—DRUMS
ANDRE HAWKINS—DRUMS
ANDRE HAWKINS—DRUMS
MICHAEL HENDERSON—BASS/VOCAL
LEON HENDERSON—SAXOPHONE
PIERRE HENDRIX—TRUMPET
"WILLIAM PAYTON HENSLEY A/K/A WASHBOARD WILLIE—DRUMS/HARMONICA/PERCUSSION "
CHARLES "LITTLE CHARLIE" HERNDON—GUITAR
RODERICK HICKS—BASS
RANDALL HICKS—DRUMS
WILLIAM "BILL" HIGGINS—DRUMS
ADELPHIA HILL—TRUMPET
MARVIN "DOC" HOLIDAY—SAXOPHONE
BRIAN HOLLAND—DRUMS
ROBERT "BOB" HOPKINS—TRUMPET
WILLIAM "BILLY" HORNER—TRUMPET
CARL D. HORN—TROMBONE
BARBARA HUBY—PERCUSSION
JAMES HUGHES—SAXOPHONE
TERRY "THUNDER" HUGHLEY—DRUMS/VOCAL
MARCUS HUNTER—DRUMS
STEVE HUNTER—TROMBONE
ROBERT HURST—BASS
FREDERICK HUTSON—BASS
PAMELA WISE HARRISON—PIANO
TAKASHI IIO—BASS
MANLEY JACKSON—DRUMS
ALVIN JACKSON—BASS
ALI JACKSON SR.—BASS/PIANO/VOCAL
ALI JACKSON JR.—DRUMS/PIANO
RONALD JOHNSON—DRUMS
FLIP JACKSON—SAXOPHONE
MARQUIS JOHNSON—DRUMS
RONALD JACKSON—DRUMS
RONALD JACKSON—TRUMPET
BENJAMIN JONES JR.—BASS
MELVIN “SKULL” JACKSON—BASS
WILLIAM “BILLY” JOHNSON—TRUMPET
MCKINLEY JACKSON—TROMBONE/ARRANGER/VOCALS
MICHAEL JOHNSON—GUITAR
ANDREW JONES—DRUMS
CORNELIOUS “JUJU” JOHNSON—SAXOPHONE
MILTON JACKSON—VIBRAPHONE
URIEL JONES—DRUMS
RALPH “BUZZY” JONES—SAXOPHONE
FELTON JONES—TRUMPET
IBRAHIM JONES—BASS
RICHARD JACOBI—GUITAR
LORI JACOBS—GUITAR/VOCALS
JOHN “BOBO” JENKINS—GUITAR/VOCALS
TED JACKSON JR.—PIANO
DICKY JOHNSON—ORGAN
LEONARD C. KING JR.—DRUMS/VOCAL
GREGORY KING—SAXOPHONE
ATIBA KING—TRUMPET
KENNETH KELLETT—BASS
ALEX KALLAO—PIANO
PHILLIP KELLY—PIANO
KRIS KURZAWA—GUITAR
MARK KING—BASS
KEITH KAMINSKI—SAXOPHONE
RONALD KISCHUK—TROMBONE
CRAIG KOWALSKY—BASS
MIKE KULL—PIANO
PHILLIP LASLEY—SAXOPHONE
NIMROD LUMPKIN—ORGAN
ROBERT LOWE—GUITAR
JAMES “LOU” LEWIS—TROMBONE
LOPEZ LEON—BASS
ANTHONY LANGFORD—DRUMS
LEONARD LUCAS—BASS
LARRY LEE—BASS
WENDELL LUCAS—BASS
RICHARD LAWSON—DRUMS
JEROME LEDUFF-CONGA DRUMS/PERCUSSION
GWENDOLYN “MUFFY” LASTER—VIOLIN
JEROME LASTER--BASS
CLIFFORD MACK—DRUMS
VANCE MATLOCK—BASS
CHARLES MILES—CONGA DRUMS/SAXOPHONE
MARTINEZ MONTGOMERY—SAXOPHONE
CHARLES “DAGWOOD” MOORE—BASS/TUBA
DARRYL MOORE—BASS
DEZIE MCCULLERS—TRUMPET/SAXOPHONE
WILLIAM McCOY—PIANO
POSEY McKUEN—DRUMS
REGINALD MCBRIDE—BASS
DONALD MAYBERRY—BASS
BYRON MILLER—BASS
RICHARD MARGITZA—SAXOPHONE
ROSS MARGITZA—PIANO
ART MARDIGIAN—DRUMS
FRITZ MOORE—SAXOPHONE
ROBERT “BOB” MITCHELL—GUITAR
GLYNIS MARTIN—BASS
CLARENCE McCLOUD—ORGAN
DIEGO MELENDEZ—BONGO DRUMS/VOCALS
HAROLD McKINNEY—PIANO/VOCALS
RAYMOND McKINNEY—BASS/CELLO
CARLOS McKINNEY—PIANO
MAHINDI MASAI—PERCUSSION
CHARLES MOORE—TRUMPET
CHARLES VICTOR MOORE—TRUMPET
ROBERT McCORKLE—PIANO
JEROME “JERRY” McKENZIE—DRUMS
MICHAEL “MIKE” MARSHALL-BASS
MARVIN MARSHALL—GUITAR
DANIEL MEINECKE—PIANO/ORGAN
STEVEN MORSE—PERCUSSION
RUSSELL MILLER—SAXOPHONE/FLUTE
JIMMY MURIAH—GUITAR
JACK McKUTCHEON—DRUMS
PETE MOCK—TROMBONE
JOHN MASON—BASS
BILL MENDENHALL—DRUMS
JORDAN McCREE—BASS
FLOYD MORELAND—SAXOPHONE
ALBERTO NACIF--PERCUSSION
VIVIAN NASH—DRUMS
STEVE NARDELLA—GUITAR/HARMONICA/VOCALS
ANTHONY “TONY” NEWTON—BASS
LAWRENCE “LARRY” NOZERO—SAXOPHONE/FLUTE
JAMES “JIMMY” NASH—TRUMPET
EDWARD NELSON—DRUMS
OLIVER NEVELS - GUITAR
GLENN OLIVER—BASS
NORMAN O’GARA—TROMBONE
OSCAR OSBORN—ORGAN
WILBERT PEAGLER—PIANO
LENORE PAXTON—PIANO
JOHN “T-BONE’’ PAXTON—TROMBONE/VOCALS
DARRYL PIERCE—DRUMS
SEAN PEARLMUTTER—DRUMS
WARREN PHINIZEE—BASS
EDWARD PICKENS—BASS
TERRY JEAN POLLARD—PIANO
JERRY PAUL—PERCUSSION
PATRICK PROUTY--BASS
DICK POULTON—GUITAR
FRANK PARKER ORCHESTRA
KENNY PINSON—SAXOPHONE
BILL PAPINEAU—TRUMPET
GARY QWEK--SAXOPHONE
RUDOLPH “RUDY” ROBINSON—ORGAN/PIANO
RICK ROUSE—GUITAR
JESSE REEVES—BASS
RIP REYNOLDS—ORGAN/TROMBONE
REGINALD “REGGIE” ROBERTS—ORGAN
KARRIEM RIGGINS—DRUMS
STEVE RICHKO—DRUMS
RYAN ROSE—DRUMS
RUDOLPH “RUDY’ RUTHERFORD—SAXOPHONE/CLARINET
LEON “GRITS” RICE—DRUMS
KENNETH “SPIDER” RICE—DRUMS
MARLENE RICE—VIOLIN
DUANE “DU-ROB” ROBINSON—BASS
THOMAS SMITH—KEYBOARDS
PETER “MADCAT” RUTH—HARMONICA/GUITAR/VOCALS
CLAY CLARENCE ROBINSON—KEYBOARDS/TRUMPET
RICK ROE—PIANO
RODNEY REDDICK--SAXOPHONE
BOB RUSTON—TRUMPET
RAY ROBERSON—PIANO
RONALD “RONNIE” SANDLIN—ORGAN/KEYBOARDS
JOSHUA SEABROOKS—ORGAN
R.J. SPANGLER—PERCUSSION
JESSE STARKS—BASS
ERNEST “ERNIE” SWAN—PIANO
LARRY SMITH—SAXOPHONE
ALMA SMITH—PIANO/VIBRAPHONE
GARY SCHUNK—PIANO
JEROME SPEARMAN—DRUMS
JAMES SIMONSON—BASS
DARRYL SMITH—BASS
BUBBA SCALES—BASS
VINCENT SHANDOR—PIANO
RONALD “SKEETER” SHANDOR—GUITAR
CHRISTOPHER SLEPSKY—DRUMS
FREEMAN SPELLS—BASS
TOM STARR—DRUMS
PHILLIP SIADI—GUITAR
JUAN SERRANO—GUITAR
MARK SPEIGHTS—GUITAR
CHRISTOPHER SMITH—TROMBONE
ANTHONY STANCO—TRUMPET
KENNETH SCOTT--DRUMS
DENNY SMITH—DRUMS
LENNY SMITH—SAXOPHONE
JIM SEAY--BASS
BOB STROUP—TROMBONE
JOSEPH “JOE” THURMAN—SAXOPHONE
GREGORY TOLSTON—DRUMS
WILLIAM “BILLY” TURNER—DRUMS
JEFFREY “JEFF” TRUDELL—DRUMS
JOHN “JOHNNY” TRUDELL—TRUMPET
THEODORE “TED” THOMAS—DRUMS
RAYMOND TRAMMELL—DRUMS
ANTHONY TOLSON—BASS
ROBERT TYE—GUITAR
GEORGE TROIA—TROMBONE
DAVE TAYLOR—DRUMS
DONALD TOWNES—TRUMPET
WILLIAM TOWNLEY--TROMBONE
REUBEN UPCHURCH--DRUMS
LAWRENCE “LARRY” VEEDER—GUITAR
JESSE VIRDEN—TRUMPET/PIANO
SKEETO VALDEZ--DRUMS
NOEL VALENTINE
WAYNE WARDLOW—GUITAR
RICHARD WHITE—SAXOPHONE
ROBERT “CRICKET” WELCH—DRUMS
ROBERT WRIGHT—ORGAN/PIANO
KICKER WOMACK—ORGAN
TRENITA WOMACK—CONGA DRUMS/VOCALS
WILLIAM WOOTEN—KEYBOARDS
HENRY “HANK” WARREN—DRUMS
RAYNEL WINEGLASS—TROMBONE
VIRGIL “FLASH BEAVER” WEST—TERPSICORIAN/HOOFER
ANDRE WRIGHT-DRUMS
ERIC WILHELM—DRUMS
NATHANIEL “NATE” WINN—DRUMS
KEITH “BUBBY” WEBB—DRUMS
W.T. WILLIAMS—DRUMS
ROBERT “BOB” WHITE—DRUMS
ALEX WHITE—DRUMS
BRANDON WILLIAMS—DRUMS
JAMES “JIM” WHITE—SAXOPHONE
DONALD WHITE—TROMBONE
GREGORY “VIBRATIONS” WILLIAMS—DRUMS/HUBCAP
DONALD WASHINGTON—SAXOPHONE
FAYE WASHINGTON—SAXOPHONE/VOCALS
KEVIN WASHINGTON—DRUMS/PIANO
DONALD WALDEN—SAXOPHONE
WILLIE D. WARREN—GUITAR/VOCALS
VINCENT YORK—SAXOPHONE/CLARINET
BEVERLY YANCY—BASS
JAMES YOUNGBLOOD—DRUMS
In the compiling of ensembles from duos to orchestras there’s a built-in dilemma for some in attempting to recall ALL of the members who were once associated with these groups. For example, if there are any surviving members of the Don Pablo Orchestra they are age 100 or more. In this case the primary purpose is to give this orchestra honorable mention with all of the other names contained in this listing. Hopefully individual members names can be included later to those entries only listing an ensemble strictly instrumental groups AND “self-contained” groups who play musical instruments and sing.
ARMENIAN JAZZ SEXTET
Eddie Arvanigian Aram Monougian Arthur Melkonian Berge & Tom Minisian Cory Tosoian
AUSTIN-MORO BIG BAND
Emil Moro Lanny Austin Chuck Feger George Benson Jose Mallare Leo Harrison Al Winters Eldrid Baird Bill Lane Maurice Davis Mike Skrynski Jr. David Bartlett Bob Mojica Gary Schunk Robert Troy Ron English Don Lewandowski Joe Chila Leslie David George Troia Jr.
AIR CONDO
Paul Kingery Paul Laginess Wayne Wayne Pancho Turner Max Kirk Jeff Cowden
MERLE ALVEY AND HIS DIXIELAND BAND
BRAINSTORM
Chuck Overton Renell Gonzalves William Wooten Belita Woods Trenita Womack Lamont Johnson Jeryl Bright Larry Sims
BLISS
Vince Ciavarelli Al Carmichael Drew Blair Rick Page Ron Course
BROWNSVILLE STATION
Cub Coda Michael Lutz Henry “H-Bomb” Weck Bruce “Beezer” Nazarian
BEARTRAP
Stuart Lyons Jeffry Cuny David Dunham Tristan Cappel Jason Didia
BLUES DISCIPLES
RJ Spangler Camille Price Kurt Begoun Johnny Evans Bob Conner Paul Carey Leonard King
BUZZTONES
Lamont Zodiac Brian White Ron Pangborn
CHARLES BOLES QUARTET
Charles Boles Ron English John Dana Renell Gonzalves
BLUES INSURGIENTS
RJ Spangler Johnnie Bassett Chris Codish Keith Kaminski
BLANCHE
CREATIVE PROFILE
Marcus Belgrave Samuel Sanders Harold McKinney Edward Pickens Jimmy Allen
CROWD PLEASERS
Del Payne Donald Payne Craig Moreland Earl Davis Al Carey Mike Roberts
CIRRUS
Angelo Lafata Tom Curcuru Bob Eastman Doug Brown
CASEY CLARK AND THE LAZY RANCH BOYS
CONTEMPORARY JAZZ QUINTET
Kenny Cox Charles Moore Leon Henderson Danny Spencer Ron Brooks Ron English Bud Spangler
DEVIATES
John Watts Rick Burlingame Artie Wolff Bob Mulrooney Lee Turner
DETROIT WALDHORN ENSEMBLE
DESTINY
Jim Schweds Bob Patterson Gary Galloway Jim Tucker Al Hayes
ENERGY
Ben Adkins Opelton Parker Gwen Laster Marlene
EUPHORIA
Jim Jones Greg Southwell Cindy Carmody Mark Watson Pat Burrows Dennis Harrison
RON ENGLISH QUARTET
Ron English Gary Schunk Don Mayberry Jerome Spearman Duke Billingsley George Davidson Keith Vreeland John Dana
EVERLIFE
Dwayne “Butch” Lomax Roderick Williams Larry Johnson Lloyd Collier Rob Reed Charles Green Atiba King Lee Sanders Joan Lemons
FABULOUS COUNTS
Mose Davis Demetrius Cates Leroy Emmanuel Raoul Mangrum Andrew Gibson James White
FUN COMPANY
Andrew Jones Don Hatcher Billy Hatcher Rudy Robinson
FISHSTICKS
Mike Belitsos Jim Damberg Greg Koss Jim Banner David Stoll Larry Lamb
CHARLES GREEN TRIO
Charles Green Don Mayberry Robert Welch
GARFIELD BLUES BAND
Garfield Angove Paul Carey Leonard Moon John Fraga Will Leonard Leonard King
HOME
Jerry Brown Mike Roush Larry Cook Bill McKinney
JAMES HUGHES/JIMMY SMITH QUINTET
James Hughes Jimmy Smith Phil Kelly Takashi Iio Nate Winn
IMPACT
Pete Wenger Walt Szymanski Gary Haverkate Mike Bacile George Goldsmith
McKINLEY JACKSON AND THE POLITICIANS
McKinley Jackson Roderick “Peanut” Chandler Melvin Griffin Clay Robinson Zachary Slater Charlie Heardon Stanley Cleveland
LEONARD KING AND THE SOUL MESSENGERS
Leonard King Jr. Gregory King Atiba King Charles Eubanks George Rountree Adelphia Hill Darryl Moore Frank Garcia Jr. Jimmy Nash William Wooten Ralph Todd Timothy Allison Warren Phinizee
DR. PROF. LEONARD KING ORCHESTRA
Dr. Prof. Leonard King John Douglas Donovan Boxey Gary Kwek Ryan Freitas Jimmy Smith Steve Hunter John Raleeh Matt Martinez Davey Lazar Dominic Bierenga Keith Kaminski Gregory King Christopher Tabacynzski Johnny Evans Jason Didia Mark Kieme Nathan Zaporski Rick Steiger Chris Codish Zen Zadravec Gerard Gibbs Ron English James Simonson Craig Kowalsky Sam Copperman Jerry LeDuff Diego Melendez Miguel Gutierrez Mahindi Masai
TONY LEE BAND
LIGHTNIN’
Al Jacquez Jeff Jones Mark Gougeon Tim McCoy Dave Morgan
LIFE
Gene Dunlap Jr. John Lawson Carl Small Mark Geddes Gory Maslowski
BILLY LEE AND THE RIVIERAS/MITCH RYDER AND THE DETROIT WHEELS
William Levise Jr. Johnny “Bee” Badanjek Jim McCarty Earl Elliott Joe Kubert
ROBERT LOWE GROUP
Robert Lowe Robert Barnes Robert Wright Robert Welch Victor Hall Byron Miller
MARTINI
Marty Montgomery Tom Smith Marsha Johnson Darryl Robinson Tony Fichera Leonard King Jr.
JIMMY McKEE AND THE UPSETTERS
Jimmy McKee Preacher Rowe Monty Jefferson Johnny Clapton Gordon Camp Carl Graves
BRENT MAJORS QUINTET
Brent Majors John Hammer Sheila Landis Mark Soverensky Mike West
MILLIONAIRES
Bob Conner Doug Deming Pete Kahn Mark Berger Davey “Bones” Ron English John Slitti Dave Marcaccio Dr. Prof. Leonard King
MICHIGAN OPERA THEATER
MOVING MIND ORCHESTRA
Dominic Bierenga Donovan Boxey John Douglas John Raleeh Andy Wade Rocco Popielarski Zen Zadravec Tom Bartlemay Henry Blackson-Pakela Allen Dennard Jason Didia
WHITEY MORGAN AND THE 78’S
Whitey Morgan (Eric Allen) Brett Robinson Joey Spina Alex Lyon Eric Savage Tony Martinez
NORTHWOODS IMPROVISERS
Mike Johnston Nick Ashton Mike Gilmore Faruk Z. Bey Skeeter Shelton Mike Cary Donovan Boxey Dominic Bierenga
ORANGE LAKE DRIVE
Cliff Gracey Andy Combs Ross Pooley Bob Cote Kenny Burch
PIONEER JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Christopher Pitts Sam Sanders Steve Wood Dan McAlister Mike Blanchard Ed Pickens Scott Peterson
DON PABLO ORCHESTRA (Pablo Mireles)
PRISMATIC BAND
RIOT
Wade Washington Cornelious “Juju” Johnson Haroun El-Nil Michael Weeks James Brock Hrant Hratchian Charles Hawkins Rosalyn Reid (Roz Ryan) Leslie Seridge Coleen Beaton
RUDY ROBINSON AND THE HUNGRY FIVE featuring TOBI LARK
ROCKETS
Jim McCarty Johnny “Bee” Badanjek Wayne Robbins John Fraga Dave Gilbert
SOUL EXPLOSION BAND
DAN SCHAFER GROUP
Dan Schafer Michael Murphy Phil Turkington Bill Vigelius
SILK
Shaun Murphy Al Pino Nolan Mendenhall Daryl Bybka Ray Goodman
SACK FULL OF DREAMS
Rocky Tatarelli Jim Banner Dennis Wezalis (Leonard Moon) Ron Pangborn Shahida Nurullah
SALT CREEK
Dan Tripp Bernie Nelson Kathy Ford Chris Amos Billy Clark Mike Busch Dave Giegrich
SAGA
Art Rottenburg Scott Pritchard Bob Cicotte Roger Race
SALEM WITCHCRAFT
Arlen Vieceli Morris O’Shaunessy Jim Duffy Dave Hall
SUGARFOOT
George Friend James Simonson Chris Codish Terry “Thunder” Hughley
STRAIGHT AHEAD
Eileen M. Orr (Alina Morr) Marian Heyden Gayelynn McKinney Kymberli Wright
LENNY SCHICK QUARTET
Lenny Schick Larry Meloche Don Varella Lou Lacey
II-V-I ORCHESTRA
MIKE TAYLOR AND MORE
Mike Taylor Steve Cowart Dan Rafferty Robert McFarlane Perry Palmer
TANTRUM
Mike Sneed James Barry John Heason Steve Dalton
TWISTIN’ TARANTULAS
“Pistol” Pete Midtgard Nick “Macho” Marocco Carl Bradychok
URBATIONS
David Swain Dan Mulholland Andy Boller Peter Klavier Martin Gross Johnny Evans Ian Vatet
JIMMY WILKINS ORCHESTRA
LYMAN WOODARD TRIO
Lyman Woodard Dennis Coffey Ron English Melvin Davis Leonard King Jr.
LYMAN WOODARD ORGANIZATION
Lyman Woodard Ron English Leonard King Jr. Norma Bell George Davidson Renell Gonzalves Kenny Garrett Ron Jackson Allan Barnes Robert Lowe Regina Carter Royce Lytle Trenita Womack Diego Melendez Marlene Rice Sabrina Lamarr Larry Smith Jeribu Shahid Rick Rouse
ALEX ZONJIC TRIO/ALEXANDER ZONJIC AND FRIENDS
Members for some of the vocal groups posted here are currently unknown. As more information becomes available their names will be included. Also, since this is a “living document” other groups will also be added at different intervals. The definition of “vocal group” means singers who don’t play musical instruments as opposed to a “self-contained group” which does both.
ADELE ADDISON AND THE JUBILEE SINGERS
ADORABLES
Jackie & Betty Winston Diane & Pat Lewis
ANDANTES
Louvain Demps Jackie Hicks Marlene Barrow Ann Bogan
BRANDYE
Donna Davis Pamela Vincent Cynthia Douglas
JOHNNY BRISTOL & JACKEY BEAVERS (JOHNNY & JACKEY)
BARONS
Tyrone Douglas Jesse Greer Roger Craton
CLARK SISTERS
Albertina Clark Denise Clark Dorinda Clark Jackie Clark Karen Clark
C.J. & COMPANY
Cornelius Brown Jr. Joni Tolbert Connie & Curtis Durden Charles Clark
CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD
General Johnson Danny Woods Harrison Kennedy Eddie Custis
CHICO & BUDDY
Thelmer “Chico” Jones William “Buddy” Farrow
COMMISSIONED
Fred Hammond Jr., Keith Staten Marvin Sapp Mitchell Jones Karl Reid Michael Williams Michael Brooks
DRAMATICS
Ron Banks Willie Ford Larry Reed Rob Davis Lawrence Dempsey William Howard Lenny Mayes Craig Jones Steve Barnett
DEVOTIONS
Regina Wood Rosemary Green Bobbie Hemmitt
DISTANTS
Richard Street Paul Williams Melvin Franklin a/k/a David English Eddie Kendricks Kell Osbourne
DETROIT EMERALDS
Abrim Tillman Cleophus Tillman Ivory Tillman Raymond Tillman
DEBONAIRES
Elsie Baker Dorothy Garland Joyce Vincent Diane Hogan
DAWN
Telma Hopkins Joyce Vincent Wilson
ELGINS
Norbert McClean Robert Lee Fleming John Virgil Sandra Mallett
EMBRACEABLES
Wyline Ivey Gladys Scott Evelyn Green Pearl Jones
ENCHANTMENT
FABULOUS PEPS
Joe Harris Tom Hester a/k/a Tom Storm Ronnie Abner
FIVE PEARLS
Howard Guyton Max Wood Rosko King Don Revels
GAYLORDS/GAYLORD & HOLIDAY
Ronald Fredianelli Bonaldo “Burt” Bonaldi Don Rea Bill Christ
AL HUDSON AND THE SOUL PARTNERS
EDWARD HAMILTON AND THE ARABIANS
Edward Hamilton Clarence McClean George Goodman Charles Laird Robert Tutt
HALO GOSPEL SINGERS FEATURING J.J. BARNES
WILL HAYNES AND THE OZARK VALLEY BOYS
HOLIDAYS
Eddie Anderson Maurice Tony Gray Willie Jackson Robert Johnson
HONEY CONE
Edna Wright Shellie Clark Carolyn Willis
HUNGRY FIVE
Rudy Robinson Roderick “Peanut” Chandler Sam Wicher Andrew Smith Johnny Clapton Gordon Camp
HUNT’S DETERMINATION
Bernard Brown Charles Horne Johnny Brown Danny Redeemar Edward Haygood Cornelius Jordan Joseph Washington
IMPERIALS (Detroit group)
Milton Harris Robert Adams Lee Goodwin Ben Knigh
JOHNSON’S SPIRITUAL SINGERS
JONES GIRLS
Shirley Jones Brenda Jones Valerie Jone
LARRY KNIGHT AND THE UPSETTER
LARADOS
Ron Morris Tommy Hust Bob Broadrick Bernie Turnbull Don Davenport
LAMP SISTERS
LEMON INSPIRATIONAL SINGERS
LOLLIPOPS
MAGICTONES
Calvin “Doc” Stephenson Tyrone Barkley Tyrone Douglas Paul Willis
MASQUERADERS
Robert Wrightsil Charles Moore Lee Jones Harold Thomas David Sanders
MEDITATIONS
Ernestine Rundless Delloreese Patricia Early Maria Waters Lillian Mitchell
MORNING ECHOES
Willie Ayers Willie Yearby Jerry Woods James Ligon Johnny Davis
ORIGINALS
Walter Gaines C.P. Spencer Tyrone Hunter Freddie Gorman
PARAGONS
Dee Edwards Albert Edwards Freddy Martin Tommy Martin
PEPPERMINTS
Roger Lee Cayton Duke Browner Jesse Greer Tyrone Douglas
PRECISIONS
Arthur Ashford Mike Morgan Dennis Gilmore Billy Prince
PROFESSIONALS
ROYAL HOLIDAYS
Vernon Williams Bobby Jones Robert Gibson Damon Rockland Norman Worthy
RONNIE & ROBYN
Bobby Arquette Robyn Casey
REFLECTIONS
Tony Micale John Dean Phil Castrodale Dan Bennie Ray Steinberg
RIDGEWAY SISTERS
Gloria Ridgeway Esther Ridgeway Gracie Ridgeway
NOLAN STRONG AND THE DIABLOS
Nolan Strong Juan Gutierrez Willie Hunter Quentin Eubanks Bob “Chico” Edwards
SPINNERS
Billy Henderson Bobby Smith Henry Fambrough Pervis Jackson George Dixon
SHADES OF BLUE
Nick Maranelli Bob Kerr Ernie Dernai Linda Steinberg
TAURUS & LEO (MELVIN DUKES & EDDIE WOODS)
TEEGARDEN & VAN WINKLE
(Dave Teegarden David Van Winkle Skip Snape
THOMPSON COMMUNITY SINGERS
THRILLERS
Joe Murphy Charles Wright Lawrence Payton John Dorsey Roquel “Billy” Davis
TOKAYS
Thelmer Jones Billy Allen Herbert Brown Gene Gates William Farrow Richard Herdon
TORNADOS
Stanley Mitchell Ben Knight William Weatherspoon Alonzo Tucker Charles Sutton
UNDISPUTED TRUTH
Joe Harris Brenda Joyce Evans Billie Rae Calvin
UTOPIAS
David Lesley Julie Leslie Joan Hughes
VELVELETTES
Mildred Gill Carolyn Gill Bertha Barbee Norma Barbee
VIOLINAIRES
VOLUMES
Ernest Newsome Elijah Davis Larry Wright Joe Travillion Edward Union Gerald Mathis
WINANS
Marvin Winans Carvin Winans Michael Winans Ronald Winans
WAYSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH COMBINED CHOIR
WATSON FAMILY OF DETROIT
WESTPOINT BAPTIST CHURCH SENIOR CHOIR & GOSPEL CHORUS
WONDERETTES
ZELLTONES
ZION HARMONAIRES
ALBERTA ADAMS
VANESSA BELL ARMSTRONG
PETE ANDERSON
CODY BLACK
OPHELIA BLACK
ORTHEIA BARNES
J.J. BARNES
BONNIE BRISKER
ROSE BATISTE
MICHE BRADEN
FRANKIE BALLARD
RANDY BARLOW
HANK BALLARD
HARRY BOWENS
CONDIDO
CARL CARLTON
LOUIS CURRY
LORRAINE CHANDLER (birth name Ermastine Lewis)
CAROLYN/CAROLINE CRAWFORD
AUSTIN CROMER
BETTY CARTER (birth name Lillie Mae Jones)
NIKKI CORVETTE (birth name Dominique Lorenz)
STEPHAN COCHRAN
MATTIE MOSS CLARK
ANITA COCHRAN (birth name Anita Renee Cockerham)
JIMMY DELPHS
BONITA DRAKE
LEROY DRUMM
DEE EDWARDS (birth name Doris Jean Harrell)
JO ANNE FLEMING
MIKKI FARROW
BARBARA FOX
JOSH GRACIN
AMOS GARRETT
KIMME HORN
KENNETH “PANCHO” HAGOOD
HARLAN HOWARD
TESSIE HILL
GLORIA IRVING
MIA JOHNSON
ROYCE JOVAN
SHEILA JORDAN
SANDRA JOHNSON
TAMIKO JONES (birth name Barbara Tamiko Ferguson)
KATHY KOSINS
JANA KRAMER
BILL KIRCHEN (birth name William Knight Kirchen)
TOBI LARK/TOBI LEGEND/BESSIE WATSON (birth name Bessie Gupton)
BETTYE LAVETTE
LAURA LEE (LAURA RUNDLESS)
PAT LEWIS
EMMANUEL LASKEY
ROBERT McCARTHER
JOHNNIE MAE MATTHEWS
BARBARA MERCER
JUANITA McCRAY
DORIS “DEE DEE” McNEIL
TEGAN MARIE
SHAHIDA NURULLAH
VELMA “CHUBBY” NEWSOME
GWEN OWENS
ONE STRING SAM
GENO PARKS (PURIFOY)
KRIS PETERSON
HARI PARIS
BUNNY PAUL
FREDA PAYNE
SCHERRIE PAYNE
JOHNNY POWERS (birth name John Pavlik)
DENNIS ROWLAND
SANDRA RICHARDSON/SANDRA FEVA
EDWARD “EDDIE’ ROBINSON
MACK RICE
LEE ROGERS (birth name Roger Lee Cayton)
GIP “SANDMAN” ROBERTS (birth Robert Gibson)
L.J. REYNOLDS
DELLA REESE (birth name Delloreese Patricia Early)
DAVIS “DAVID” RUFFIN
JIMMY RUFFIN
EDWIN STARR (birth name Charles Hatcher)
ANGE SMITH
KITTY STEVENSON
ROBERT ST. THOMAS
NAIME SHAMBORGUER
J.D. SOUTHER
NORMAN THRASHER
TERI THORTON (birth name Shirley Enid Avery)
HARVEY THOMPSON
UNCLE KRACKER (birth name Matthew Schafer)
MILDRED VANEY/MILLIE SCOTT
SPANKY WILSON (birth name Louella Wilson)
“SINGIN” SAMMY WARD
DANNY WOODS
URSULA WALKER
BARBARA WARE
MARY WELLS
KIM WESTON (birth name Agatha Nathalia Weston)
JUNE WEBB
JOY WILLIAMS
For many years continuing to the present day, the usual emphasis pertaining to music is placed on the artists who perform the music. However, there are many other people in professional capacities who have been instrumental in projecting and promoting music to the general public in ways and methods that the public may not be aware of. Record and concert promoters, jukebox proprietors, wholesale and retail record stores, television and radio programs, graphic artists, and others have contributed, in their own ways, to the visibility of music as it relates to public consumption.
LC KING jukebox business owner
TONY VANCE jukebox business owner
ARTHUR DREW jukebox business owner
DAVE CLARK national records promotion
“FRANTIC ERNIE DURHAM radio host/promotion
“JOLTIN” JOE HOWARD radio host/promotion
ED LOVE radio host/promotion
LINDA YOHN radio host/promotion
FRANK BROWN concert presentations/promotion
PETER MAUPIN concert presentations/promotion
JOE “ZIGGY” JOHNSON concert presentations/dance school proprietor
LACLAIRE KNOX concert presentations/dance school proprietor
QUINTON PERRY & RANDOLPH REDLEY concert presentations
CLARENCE EDDINS nightclub proprietor
CORNELIOUS WATT nightclub proprietor
MARTHA JEAN “THE QUEEN” STEINBERG radio host/promotion
BILL KABBUSH & MARTY EISNER 20 Grand Entertainment Complex proprietors
MORRIS WASSERMAN Flame Show Bar owner/proprietor
ED MCKENZIE radio & television host/promotion
ROBIN SEYMOUR radio & television host/promotion
LEE ALAN radio & television host/concert promotion
FAMOUS COACHMAN retail records proprietor
WHITE’S RECORD SHOP retail records proprietor
ROBERT CANADY/MONROE MUSIC retail records proprietor