E. Mark Windle 5 November 2021 As important career, family and other life events took over, the musical activities of their youth were becoming distant memories for some former Tempests members. A new generation of musicians were stepping in, taking black music into another era. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the love of R&B from anContinue reading “Reaching Different Shores: A Subculture Rediscovery.”
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East 4th Street Studio, and the Fabulous Plaids (The Tempests Story pt 13)
E. Mark Windle 18 October 2021 After The Tempests split and members went their separate ways, Van Coble was determined to continue in the industry. With an interest in sound engineering and electronics he toyed with the idea of setting up a recording studio. Before long, Van brought two other business partners into the fold:Continue reading “East 4th Street Studio, and the Fabulous Plaids (The Tempests Story pt 13)”
The Tempests (pt 12): Insight Talent and Surfside Records
E. Mark Windle. 13 Oct 2021 Mike and Roger Branch formed Insight Talent, a booking and promotional agency in 1974. However, Roger was being tempted by an opportunity to take up a position as Polydor promotional representative for North Carolina. Weighing up the pros and cons, rather than take a risk on a new companyContinue reading “The Tempests (pt 12): Insight Talent and Surfside Records”
The Tempests (part 5): Hit Attractions
E. Mark Windle 13 June 2021 Whether the decision to extend the horn section in The Tempests was a conscious one or just natural evolution, was unclear. Movement of personnel in and out of the band in the early days had been pretty fluid, though Jim Butt (on trumpet) and Rick White (tenor sax) hadContinue reading “The Tempests (part 5): Hit Attractions”
Hound Dog! Big Mama Thornton
E. Mark Windle. 25 August 2020 Among other genres, Elvis Presley was informed by the blues. Even as a young teenager, the songs he heard on Beale Street were a source of significant musical inspiration. And it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest that his interpretation of Arthur Crudup’s blues number “That’s All Right” helped kick-start theContinue reading “Hound Dog! Big Mama Thornton”