This blog is designed to be a place where ordinary people who also happen to be bloggers can post about issues that are important to them, and be heard by wider audiences. If you write for your own blog or for a group blog, you are more than welcome to crosspost those essays here, but we ask that you use that opportunity to tell your readers “this entry is crossposted at the Independent Bloggers’ Alliance. You are also encouraged to post links to stories written by other contributors here. The fact is, the more we get in the practice of linking to each other, the better it is for all of us.
As far as ideology, I expect that we will be something of a mix of moderate to liberal viewpoints, not necessarily loyal to a particular party. Nobody is their best self all the time, but I expect us to make a genuine effort to treat each other with respect, even when we disagree.
If you'd like to become a contributor, drop me a note at ohiorenee(at)gmail.com.
Baritone, 70, recorded for Motown and Atlantic Records; services Monday in Detroit BY BRIAN McCOLLUM • FREE PRESS POP MUSIC WRITER
For nearly five decades, Pervis Jackson's rich, low voice was the glue in the Spinners' sound, an unmistakable feature on pop, R&B and eventually oldies radio. Advertisement
Friends and fellow Motown Records musicians are mourning the loss of the Detroit singer, who died "quietly and peacefully" early Monday at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, said Claudreen Jackson, his wife of 40 years. He had been diagnosed late last week with brain and liver cancer, just a month after starting to feel ill and bowing out of several Spinners dates. He was 70.
"I don't know how many people get to live their lives the way they want," said Claudreen Jackson, "but he was one of them."
His last onstage appearance was July 19, when the Spinners performed in La Habra, Calif. The group has been a fixture on the casino and festival circuit for years, typically on the road more than 200 days annually.
Surviving him in the group are fellow original members Henry Fambrough and Bobbie Smith. Founding member Billy Henderson died in February 2007.
It's the second loss this year in the Spinners' extended family: Longtime manager Buddy Allen died at his New York home in March. His son, Steve Allen, worked as the group's road manager for several years.
"Pervis was the classiest, nicest, most perfect gentleman," Steve Allen said. "He never let the fame and the glory years go to his head."
Known to friends and associates as "Mr. 12:45" -- a nod to his trademark lyric in the hit "They Just Can't Stop It (Games People Play)" -- Jackson was heralded as a consummate professional, making time to mingle with fans and serving as the group's de facto spokesman.
"He always said: 'When the people come to see you, they've done their part. It's up to you to keep them,' " said Claudreen Jackson.
One of the greatest R&B groups ever. Thank you, gentlemen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment