On June 27th, in 2009, we lost a Philly Soul musician, all-female vocal group pioneer, singer, 60s/70s recording artist, psychologist, choir member, voice coach and co-founding member of the Three Degrees-Fayette (Regina) Pinkey (c & r). She’s most known for singing Three Degrees hits like-Take Good Care of Yourself and When Will I See You Again. The Philadelphia native started singing in church. In her early teens, she got into secular music, singing with friends at her high school. Talent scout/manager-Richard Barrett saw Pinkey as a standout and recruited her for his vocal trio-The Three Degrees (1963). She was only 15 when she joined the group. They gained a local following, and signed to Swan Records (1964). They released their first single in 1965-Gee Baby (I’m Sorry). It peaked at #80 on the US pop chart and #14 in Canada.
They released 10 other singles during the 60s, with 2 of them charting. They signed to Roulette Records in 1970, and released their debut LP-Maybe. It sold well, producing a top 10 R&B hit-Maybe (peaked at #4). This led to them having a cameo appearance in the 1971 film-The French Connection. Roulette folded in 1973 and Barrett signed Three Degrees to Philadelphia International Records. They worked with famed production team-(Kenny) Gamble & (Leon) Huff. They had their biggest success during the 70s. However, Fayette was forced out of the group by Barrett in 1976. She traveled to the UK and recorded a solo LP-One Degree in 1979. It took her two short weeks to complete, and the album was well received by the public. In the 80s, she enrolled in Temple University, earning a Bachelor’s in psychology, and Master’s in human services from Lincoln University (1984). She was 61 when she passed.
| | |
On June 27th, in 1935, seminal Jamaican music producer, pioneering reggae/ska bassist, member of the Jamaican National Football Team (soccer), featured artist in the first 007 James Bond movie-Dr No, songwriter, founder of the concert/showcase business-Byron Lee’s Spectacular Show tour and founding member of the Dragonaires-Byron Lee (Byron Aloysius St. Elmo Lee, c & r) was born in Christiana, Jamaica. Lee had a major influence in the sound of Jamaican music during the late 50s up to the early 80s. He’s first the musician to incorporate the electric bass guitar in island music (early 50s). He was self-taught, and was accustomed to playing double bass. However, the instrument was heavy and it was much easier to carry the electric bass instead.
Many music historians feel that Lee did this out a need to change the sound, while others disagree. The fact remains that it did have a lasting effect on the formation of ska, reggae and dub. He formed the Dragonaires with childhood friend Carly Brady in 1950. They got their name from their college football team. They were mostly a jam band/local act for the first few years. In 1956, they embarked on a professional career. The Dragonaires were synonymous with ska during the late 50s. In the early 60s, they appeared in Dr. No (1962) and Lee branched out as a producer for the Maytals. He also started his mobile showcase-Byron Lee’s Spectacular Show tour. After becoming Atlantic Records’ primary distributor in Jamaica, Lee started working out of the Dynamic Sounds studio. This is one of the birthplaces of reggae and dub. He was 73 when he passed.
| | |
On June 27th, in 1933, seminal soul musician, prolific songwriter, producer, singer, multi-label recording artist, former member of the Five Scalders and the Falcons-Mack Rice (Bonny Rice) aka Sir Mack Rice was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He’s most known for penning two soul music classics-Mustang Sally (also the original performer in 1965) and Respect Yourself (co-written with Luther Ingram in 1971). Most people associate the first song with Wilson Pickett. However, Rice’s version is also very good. The other song-Respect Yourself was performed by the Staple Singers with Mavis Staples on lead vocals. He got his start singing with vocal groups in Detroit during his teens. He joined the Five Scalders in 1956 (22 at the time), and became a member of the Falcons in 1957.
He stayed with them for 6 years, working with Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett and Joe Stubbs (Four Tops). He left the Falcons in 1963 and signed to Lu Pine Records as a solo artist. In 1964, he released his first single,-My Baby b/w Baby I’m Coming Home. He left Lu Pine and signed with Blue Rock releasing his self-penned soul hit-Mustang Sally b/w Daddy’s Home to Stay. He released one more single on Blue Rock in 1966 before signing with Mercury Records (same year) and releasing his 4th single-You Can’t Lose b/w It’s All Right. In 1967, he signed to Stax and remained a solo artist, songwriter and producer for the label for 15 years (1967-1982). He also worked for other labels like Summit and Capitol Records. In 1977, he released his debut LP-I Made Music (SRI Records). He was 82 when he passed.
| | |
HONORABLE MENTION: On June 27th, in 1958 seminal alternative rock musician, singer, violinist, graphic artist, pianist, songwriter, guitarist and accordion player-Lisa (Ruth) Germano was born in Mishawaka, Indiana. She got her professional start playing violin for John Mellencamp in the 80s. In 1991, she released her solo debut-On the Way Down from the Moon Palace (Major Bill Records, 1991). Her third LP-Geek the Girl is considered her best. It was a pioneering album that showcased the budding alternative rock sound. She released 13 LPs between 1991 and 2012. She also worked with David Bowie in the early 2000s. She’s 61 today.
On June 27th, in 1966, pioneering 60s psychedelic rock band-Mothers of Invention released their debut LP-Freak Out! (Verve Records). It’s widely considered to be the first ‘concept’ album. It features Frank Zappa at the helm with special appearances by Les McCann, Paul Butterfield, Carol Kaye and Motorhead Sherwood. It’s an extremely satirical LP with song titles like-Who Are the Brain Police?, Return of the Son of Monster Magnet, You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here, Hungry Freaks-Daddy, Help-I’m a Rock and Wowie Zowie. It' the first time listeners learn about Zappa’s reoccurring character-Suzy Creamcheese. It’s a definite buy, standing as a historical landmark for recorded music.
On June 27th, in 2006, we lost a singer, pop vocalist and multi-label recording artist-Eileen Barton. The Brooklyn native is most known for her hit single-If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake (National Records, 1950). Although I’ve never heard any of her music, I became interested when I saw the song title. Mos Def aka Yasin Bey is another Brooklyn native that used Barton’s song title in his rhyme on Mr. N-word on the Black on Both Sides LP (Rawkus Records, 1999). He says: If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve baked a cake/just got some shoe polish, and painted my face/say the want you successful, but that ain’t the case…’ S.O. to Barton & Mos.
On June 27th, in 2014, we lost a seminal Soul musician, guitarist, producer, songwriter, film scorer, vocalist, gospel innovator, co-founding member of the Valentinos, collaborator with Sam Cooke, second husband of Sam Cooke’s ex-wife, and multi-label recording artist-Bobby Womack (Robert Dwayne Womack). TOV covered the artist’s birthday on the March 4th post, please refer to it for more information. Bobby enjoyed a successful career for over 50 years (late 60s-2014). He worked with everyone from the Rolling Stones to Ray Charles. He had a unique voice that was soulful, smooth, strong and raspy. He was 70 when he passed.
For more information on any musician or event reviewed in posts, or for additional information on The Wandering Eyes Blog overall, use the search bar and search the artist or event using keywords. It’s like a Google search for the site. A wide variety of information, covering several topics exists on this site going back to 2013 when it was created. PEACE