| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Alex Forhermusic
Wishing And Hoping
172 Posts |
 Posted - 21/07/2009 : 01:42:03
|
BBC 2 showed a programme tonight covering the 1965 UK tour of Motown's principal stars, from Plymouth to Glasgow and various stops in between. They pointed out, during vintage clips, and fake 'old' footage, that the venues were half-filled, at best, and disappointing, even if the stars were welcomed in most places. Then, attention was given to the now famous READY STEADY GO! Motown Special on British TV - an hour of bliss - which Dusty had the will and desire to present (and therefore promote). By the time it was shown, the tour had finished - had the show been broadcast during the tour houses would've sold out. All the Detroit bands scored hits after that special night. Dusty got a measure of credit for that.
I hold her in such high esteem not only for her music but for the views and actions she held in the 60s, concerning racial integration, when the concept had little popular support - and for how she used her power to get Black Artists a breakthrough that benefitted all of us.
Alex
|
|
|
Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
7268 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2009 : 08:03:11
|
quote:
Originally posted by Janie
[quote]Originally posted by Alex Forhermusic
By the time it was shown, the tour had finished - had the show been broadcast during the tour houses would've sold out. All the Detroit bands scored hits after that special night. Dusty got a measure of credit for that.
I hold her in such high esteem not only for her music but for the views and actions she held in the 60s, concerning racial integration, when the concept had little popular support - and for how she used her power to get Black Artists a breakthrough that benefitted all of us.
Alex
An interesting perspective on the timing of the broadcast Alex, and no doubt 100% correct.
Entirely agree with what you've said here about Dusty  .
Great to 'see' you here on the DSN again Alex - missed you, have we  . Hope all is well with you and yours.
Janie  x55 |
 |
|
|
Earthbound Gypsy
Sweet Inspiration
USA
2743 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2009 : 16:30:54
|
As far as I can tell Dusty received quite a bit of credit for bringing Motown to the UK. However, IMO it's a little known fact on this side of the Atlantic. Of course unless you are a Dusty fan.
Marty |
|
|
|
Brian
Sweet Inspiration
United Kingdom
2515 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2009 : 17:14:29
|
Although I agree Dusty really helped to bring Motown to the ears of the British public, it would have made it eventually...IT WAS SO GOOD!
Brian |
|
|
|
Kyles Beguiles
Brand New Me
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2009 : 03:50:18
|
| I have even greater respect for Dusty after learning how she was a pioneer way beyond her brilliant musicianship :) |
|
|
|
reputation
Sweet Inspiration
United Kingdom
3066 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2009 : 16:19:47
|
quote:
Originally posted by Brian
Although I agree Dusty really helped to bring Motown to the ears of the British public, it would have made it eventually...IT WAS SO GOOD!
Brian
Not sure if I wholly agree with you Brian, it's just a pity someone hadn't done the same for Dusty in the States. OK she had a lot of fame there but not nearly as much as she should have!
Add to that the fact the Motown acts played to half empty houses prior to Dusty bringing them to the fore, so with that in mind she deserves a lot of credit for that. |
|
|
|
Earthbound Gypsy
Sweet Inspiration
USA
2743 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2009 : 19:59:10
|
Although Dusty made friends with lots of the Motown Acts while performing at the Brooklyn Fox, there always was a lot of resentment by American performers back in the 60's. In the time period known as "The British Invasion", hardly any American acts made the music charts. However, Motown obviously held their own during this period of musical history, some of the resentment was still there. Even Elvis had to make a come back in the 70's!
Living in the area and attending two of the concerts, I've heard lots of rumors over the years of what went on at the Brooklyn Fox, while Dusty was performing there. Some of the Motown acts thought Dusty was a bit "nuts" when she threw dishes down the stairs.
Ronnie Spector didn't like Dusty and they shared a dressing room. Ronnie made a comment that there isn't enough room for both of their beehive wigs. I have heard that the dressing rooms were very small, old and crowded.
Oh another one I heard is that Dusty with Murray the K's help broke up a physical fight between Ronnie Spector and and Phil Spector, her husband at the time. The police were called and told Phil Spector to leave the permisses.
I don't know if any of this is true, I'll just go with the expression, where is is smoke, there is fire!
The one good thing we know for sure is that Martha Reeves and Dusty became great friends.
Marty |
|
|
|
Sweetbaby
Something Special
Canada
1997 Posts |
Posted - 24/07/2009 : 02:36:38
|
 I'd agree that it was inevitable that the UK would fall for the Motown sound - the rabid Northern Soul cult demonstrates that no one was more responsive to 60s Pop/Soul than the Brits! Still it speaks to Dusty's generosity of spirit that she'd champion a musical style that theoretically could have eclipsed her own success.
I've read Ronnie Spector's statement re she & Dusty bumping beehives in theater dressing rooms - I didn't think it indicated any ill feeling on Ronnie's part.
From what I recall of what Martha Reeves wrote in her bio the Motown acts Dusty worked with in the US found Dusty very withdrawn which Martha attributes to homesickness. Unfortunately one of their responses was to get her to drink heavily which had never been an issue for her before. |
|
|
|
kajunbaby23
Something Special
USA
1551 Posts |
Posted - 24/09/2009 : 00:25:29
|
Sweetbaby, I have to admit that your little smilie face makes me laugh! Too cute!
Anyway, I think that The Great Lady should get all the credit for the Motown sound coming to the UK, but I could be wrong too. I feel that our girl brought it there completely. Don't crucify me now, but I think Dusty deserves all the credit for bringing the mainstream attention to the Motown sound in the UK.
"Scars Are Tattoos With Better Stories" |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Credit To Dusty For UK Motown Breakthrough
