Archive for January, 2007

The last couple of years have not been good ones for fans of Doo Wop music. We’ve lost some of its founding fathers in recent years. Today, we lost another with the passing of Thornton James “Pookie” Hudson of the Spaniels. Pookie and the group were the first artist to be recorded and released on the then new Vee-Jay label back in 1953 with “Baby It’s You”. Their classic “Goodnite Sweetheart, Goodnite” followed a few months later. The group formed in Gary, Indiana in 1952. Other Spaniels classic include, “You Gave Me Peace Of Mind”, “People Will Say We’re In Love”, “You Painted Pictures”, “Everybody’s Laughing” and their up-tempo rendition of “Stormy Weather”.

I had a great honor of interviewing Pookie for two hours on July 14, 2006 at the XM studios in Washington, DC. Pookie lived just north of DC. He was a tall man and had an incredible presence. He had been sick with cancer for a long time, but when I met him, he had beaten the horrible disease. He looked strong and was determined to keep on singing and performing. A few months ago, the cancer came back and attacked his liver. We never heard from Pookie again. I know I speak for all the Night Prowlers when I say that Pookie Hudson will be greatly missed, but his music, memory and legend will live on, as long as there’s a Night Prowl Show.

Goodnite, Pookie, Goodnite!

-MTC

This week HARLEM takes a look at the birth of a true legend. James Brown’s career began in March of 1956 with the release of his first 45, “Please, Please, Please” b/w “Why Do You Do Me” (Federal 12256) and he never looked back. Matt The Cat is going to spin both the A and B sides of every JB single that Federal released in 1956 with the full story behind the story. These records are truly the building blocks of soul music. Please join us as we honor the late, great James Brown with a look at how he began his fantastic career.

Harlem Airs on the 50s on 5:
Monday 1/15 at 1pm EST
Tuesday 1/16 at 9pm PST – Midnight EST
Friday 1/19 at 6pm EST
Sunday 1/21 at 11am EST

“Clyde McPhatter’s high tenor takes off like a guided missile. It soars higher and higher until it hits its target…dead center and explodes…blowin’ you mind”
-Matt The Cat

CLYDE McPHATTER

Clyde McPhatter should be remembered as one of the most influential of the early ’50s R&B; singers. His sweet, angelic tenor was first put to gospel singing, but in 1950, it turned to secular music when Clyde joined Billy Ward & The Dominoes. After scoring numerous hits with The Dominoes, McPhatter left to form his OWN group, The Drifters. Depression, alcoholism and the changing sound of R&B; would eventually ruin his career and his life, but this week HARLEM remembers one of the true great, CLYDE McPHATTER.

HARLEM airs on the 50s on 5:
Monday 1/8 @ 1pm over NYC
Tuesday 1/9 @ 9pm PST – midnight EST
Friday 2/12 @ 6pm EST
Sunday 2/14 @ 11am over Boston