Frankie Beverly and Jimmy Gilmer RIP

Music deaths are coming through thick and fast at the moment with two more being brought to my attention today. Frankie Beverly, who has died aged 77, was a big name in the soul and funk world and his band Maze had a huge following. Born in Philadelphia he joined a doowop group before forming a band called the Butlers (later Frankie Beverly and the Butlers), who recorded several singles from 1963 onwards, including 'If That's What You Want' in 1967, which bcame a Northern Soul favourite. The band caught the attention of Kenny Gamble and changed their name to Raw Soul, and subsequently to Maze when they met up with Marvin Gaye's sister in law. They became well known on the London funk scene in the early eighties and had a minor hit with 'Joy and Pain'. I saw them at the New Orleans Jazzfest last year but, good though they were musically, I wasn't over impressed. I wrote: 'I waited for quite a while for Maze featuring Frankie Beverly along with a big crowd which was 99 per cent African American but was a bit disappointed when they did come on. Frankie's vocals were muffled and he barely acknowledged the audience facing the band instead. But the crowd seemed happy enough and were singing along.'

Another death, at the age of 83, is that of Jimmy Gilmer, who had a big h1t in 1963 with 'Sugar Shack' along with the Fireballs, a group which was formed in the late fifties and recorded at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico. Their early hits included 'Torquay', 'Bulldog' and 'Quite A Party'. Jimmy wasn't an original member but, with his name added to that of the Fireballs, he followed up 'Sugar Shack' with 'Daisy Petal Pickin', which was a hit, and other singles including 'Ain't Gonna Tell Nobody' and 'Look At Me'. Th Fireballs backed several other artists during the sixties, recording with Norman Petty, but were probably best known for adding backing tracks to early home demo recordings by Buddy Holly which became hits. in 1967 the Fireballs had a further hit with 'Bottle of Wine. Jimmy was still a member of the group but didn't feature in the band's name. The group disbanded in 1969.

Johnny Thunder RIP

Just heard of the death, at the age of 92, of R and B and soul singer Johnny Thunder (not to be confused with Johnny Thunders). Under his real name of Gil Hamilton he recorded the original version of 'Tell Her' in 1962 (better known as 'Tell Him' by the Exciters) which was written and produced by Bert Berns. The following year he linked up with Teddy Vann, changing his name to Johnny Thunder, and recorded a version of the children's song 'Loop De Loop' for the Diamond label which was a big hit in the US. It was covered, rather pathetically, by Frankie Vaughan in the UK. Other Johnny Thunder records, released on Stateside in the UK, included 'Jailer Bring Me Water', 'More More More Love Love Love' and 'My Prayer' but none of them were major hits. He recorded a duet with Ruby Winters ('Make Love To Me') and had some success on Calla with 'I'm Alive', written by Tommy James, which received high praise from Bob Dylan and which enjoyed a new lease of life when it was used in a Samsung mobile phone ad.

Zoot Money RIP

Sorry to hear of the death, at the age of 82, of singer and keyboardist Zoot Money. Zoot - real name George Bruno Money - was one of the few British R and B artists of the sixties who really got the feel and mood of the music. His first band, his Big Roll Band, first appeared at Bournemouth's Downstairs Club in 1961 and quickly established themselves as a leading R and B band, playing regularly at the Flamingo in London. Their debut single was 'The Uncle Willie' and other early 45s included 'Good', 'Please Stay', 'Something Is Worrying Me', 'Let's Run For Cover' and, their biggest hit 'Good Time Operator'. Zoot joined Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated in 1966 and his Big Roll Band adopted a psychedelic approach, becoming Dantalian's Chariot and having some success with 'Madman Running Through the Fields'. In 1968 Zoot moved to the US and joined with Eric Burdon's New Animals and recorded a solo LP called 'Welcome To My Head'. He continued to have a successful career as a composer and keyboard contributor to albums by Alan Price and Humble Pie. In recent years he toured quite extensively and I was lucky enough to see him on several occasions. He appeared in a Tales From The Woods show in 2017 (pictured above) and I wrote at the time: 'The next set, by Zoot Money, playing his Hammond organ, brought back memories of smoky sixties nights at the Flamingo and was a joy. Zoot demonstrated his love of Ray Charles with 'Hide Nor Hair' and 'It Should've Been Me', and did a great version of Sam and Dave's 'You Don't Know Like I Know'. Alex (Bland) and Dave (Priseman)'s horn breaks were a match for the Memphis originals on that one. Zoot had a light hearted moan about others making it big back in the day on the back of three minute 45s. His band's biggest hit 'Big Time Operator' showed that on his day he was more than a match for some of the other sixties heroes. He rocked through Robert Parker's 'Barefootin', and brought a jazzy feel to Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Rock and Roller', giving John Spencely a chance to show off a different side to his always first class guitar work. Finally, Zoot sang 'If Age Brings Wisdom', a jazzy number with a wistful lyric: 'When will I find it?' was the essence. This was a highly enjoyable set and Zoot remains a master of the Hammond, well supported by Claire (Hamlin)'s piano work.' I last saw Zoot in 2021 (photo below) when he stood in for Georgie Fame as a guest artist with the Manfreds. On that occasion he was again in good form and sang and played 'It Never Rains But It Pours', 'Big Time Operator', Sam Cooke's 'Bring It On Home To Me' and 'It Should Have Been Me'. RIP Zoot - one of the very best UK artists of the sixties and one who enjoyed rather less success than he should have.

Another death is that of Sergio Mendez, a Brazilian musician who brought the bossa nova to a worldwide audience with his band Brasil '66. Among his best known recordings were 'Mas Que Nada', 'The Look of Love' and 'Fool On The Hill'. Also bass guitar and tuba player Herbie Flowers, who played on records by numerous artists including Elton John, David Bowie and Lou Reed and who was a member of Blue Mink, T Rex and Sky. His most lasting legacy was the bass intro to Lou Reed's 'Walk On The Wild Side'.

James Darren and Pat Lewis RIP

Two more deaths to report sadly. James Darren, who has died aged 88, had a long career as an actor and a singer. Born in Philadelphia, he appeared in several movies for Columbia in the late fifties before really making his name in 'Gidget' in 1959 with Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson. He put himself forward to sing the title track of the film and this led to him recording a series of successful records for Colpix in the early sixties. These included a vocal version of 'Because They're Young' (made as a video jukebox film), the million selling 'Goodbye Cruel World', 'Her Royal Majesty', 'Conscience', 'Mary's Little Lamb', 'Hail To the Conquering Hero' and 'Pin a Medal On Joey'. His movie career included roles in 'The Gene Krupa Story', 'All The Young Men' (with Alan Ladd and Sidney Poitier), 'The Guns Of Navarone' and Gidget follow ups such as 'Gidget Goes Hawaiian' and 'Gidget Goes To Rome'. When his Columbia movie contract expired he recorded for Warner Brothers, having a minor hit with 'All', and went on to have a lengthy career in TV series such as 'T J Hooker' and 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'.

Another death which has had a big impact on the Northern Soul community is that of Pat Lewis at the age of 76. In the early sixties, living in Detroit, she formed a group called the Adorables with her sister Dianne plus friends Betty and Jackie Winston, who sang background vocals for the Golden World label. She recorded 'Can't Shake It Loose' as a solo artist in 1966 and sang with the Andantes at Motown. She signed for Solid Hit Bound Records and recorded 'Look At What I Almost Missed', 'Warning' and 'No One To Love' among others. In the late eighties she joined Ian Levine's stable of soul singers recording up to 50 tracks as a solo artist or a member of the Andantes. She continued to record with Levine after the label closed and visited the UK on several occasions. Sadly I didn't see any of those, but had the opportunity of seeing Pat perform when I went to Detroit A-Go Go in 2019. She sang 'Can't Shake It Loose' at a pre festival event at the St Regis Hotel and also took part in the main festival (pictured above) where she sang the song again and 'I'll Wait'. She was recognised for her role in supporting Phil Dick to put the shows on, receiving a 'Spirit of Detroit' award (pictured below). The Vinyl Word raises a glass to them both.