Mike Perini

Motown 'Funk Brothers' get star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Mike Perini — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:10:24 +0000

Detroit musicians who had to wait decades for recognition are getting some high-profile attention lately.

The long-awaited discovery of Detroit musician Rodriguez was highlighted last month, when the documentary about him, “Searching for Sugar Man," won an Oscar.

This month, the once nearly forgotten session musicians for Motown Records will get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

As it turns out, two of those Funk Brothers played a role in Rodriguez' 1970 debut album, "Cold Fact."

Funk Brothers guitarist Dennis Coffey co-produced "Cold Fact," played guitar on it, and wrote the liner notes for it; the late Funk Brother Bob Babbitt played bass on the album.

But as the Detroit News notes, many of those Motown musicians have not lived to see this new accolade:

Locations and times for Betty Ford condolence books

Mike Perini — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:22:37 +0000

People who wish to express their sympathy to the Ford family can sign a condolence book at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids:

Tonight (Wednesday) from 7pm-11pm and tomorrow from 7am-10am.

There is also a condolence book at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, on North Campus in Ann Arbor. The lobby will be open for the following hours, for people who wish to sign the book:

Today (Wednesday) 10am-6pm
Thursday and Friday 10am-6pm each day.

Del Shannon's "Runaway" tops charts 50 years ago this week

Mike Perini — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:45:52 +0000

Fifty years ago this week, "Runaway" by Del Shannon was the Number One song in the U.S.

It was the first rock 'n' roll song by a West Michigan-born artist to hit the top.

He was born in Grand Rapids, and grew up in nearby Coopersville.

Aside from his own hits, Del Shannon wrote Peter & Gordon's hit "I Go To Pieces", and he produced a 1964 recording by a young Michigan musician named Bob Seger, among other achievements.

Bonnie Raitt recorded her own version of "Runaway' in the 1970s.

Tragically, Del Shannon took his own life in 1990. He was inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

Earlier this year, ahead of the 50th anniversary of the song's recording, John Sinkevics of The Grand Rapids Press wrote about Shannon and his no. 1 song:

Few could have guessed at the time that this pop single would propel the Coopersville native — born in Grand Rapids as Charles Westover — to national super-stardom or that it eventually would be regarded as a milestone in rock history.

Here is a link to Del Shannon on a show called "The Golden Age of Rock And Roll". The song recording is from 1961, but the TV show is from 1965... as evidenced by the groovy dancers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TLLcvWeiKw