This Detroit group released quite a few singles between 1966-1972, but they all flopped miserably. Luckily, the climate of the music business was a polar opposite of what it is today and a non-hitmaking group was actually allowed more chances. Lucky for us, this resulted in gems like todays entry. In fact, that climate is responsible for most of the records featured here. Ahh, those were the days...
from 1969...
4 comments:
The P. Willis who co-wrote this song is my brother Paul. He also sang on Great Day, There's Nothing Better Than Love, Look Away & I don't know what else. My brother went to Detroit with a dream in the late 1960's. We never saw any of his performances because we lived in the St. Louis area. Do you know how I can get videos/news clippings of him with the group? He had surgery for a brain tumor in 1973, 2 wks after his 27th birthday & died in 1975 at the age of 29. My mom (82yrs) would love to see something. Thanks.
Hi MJ-
Wish I had some clips...The Magic Tones were a wonderful group and there music is much loved today. Very sad that Paul died so young, so tragically and that he didn't live to see how much soul afficionado's love the music. Best wishes to you and your family and thanks for sharing the story.
Paul's singing on "There's Nothing Better Than Love" gives me goosebumps.
MJ..i can vaguely remember your brother, but i do remember him. My father, Tyrone Barkley was a co-member of the Magic Tones, and i can remember how much the fellas missed your brother. Doc, my dad, and Big Ty always talked about what a great talent he was. Of course, they all went on to join the Undisputed Truth after his death. Unfortunately MJ, there is very little footage and for a long time, even their recordings were difficult to get ahold of. But Westbound has finally in the last few years released a lot of their material for download. Magic Tones records are considered highly collectible by old soul fans and they cost a fortune if you can find the original 45's. Anyway, please feel free to contact me at desertdetroiter@hotmail.com. My name is Anthony Barkley. It'd be great to talk to you sometime.
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