West Michigan Mid-Sixties News

Great to finally see this. I have a fair amount of info to add if anyone is interested. Some label scans too.

One thing I'd like to clear up is that the People's Choice that recorded on Palmer and Grand Land is a completely different group than the Philly (phil-la-of-soul) group.

-Aaron

I have a question about a soul group that cut for Way Out Records in Cleveland in the late 60's. This group, the Sensations (no connection to the group who had earlier cut in Philly) had 7 or 8 45's released on Way Out but cut many more tracks and they were definitely not from Cleveland. Their studio engineer (& producer) was Lou Ragland & he seems to remember the group coming from Battle Creek. Can anyone confirm this ??

BTW some of the Sensations releases on Way Out were as follows :-
Please Baby Please, I Woun't Be Hurt, Demanding Man (a big NS play), Find Myself Another Girl, I Guess Thats Life & Two Can Make It.
In the early 70's one of their Way Out releases was leased to Delite who issued the cut under a different group name (I seem to recall this being the Realistics).

Seems strange to me that there is no mention for Al Green or the Hot Line Music Journal label on this site or page !!

Interesting query J-

I can confirm that the De-Lite release was by the Realistics, but don't know of the Sensations origins. You might try getting in touch with Jackey Beavers who had a hand in many BC recordings. He'd probably be able to tell you one way or the other. He's working for a church down south (atlanta?) these days, but i hear he's accessible.

There's a fair few West Michigan soul atists/groups that aren't mentioned herein. The benificent Kev Brown will sort it all out when he finds the time, I'm sure.

Lou Ragland on Way Out.

J. Smith seems to know about Lou Ragland. I'm looking to buy a copy of his 45 "Never Let Me Go" on Way Out. I believe this record was re-issued by Ragland himself. Does anyone know where I can get a copy?

Frank,
contact Lou via his e-mail address..
[email protected]
He will help you to get hold of the cut you want

Great Smitty. Thank you!

Anyone with 45's or pics of The People's Chice fom GR in the 60s-70s email me please at [email protected] or [email protected]

To J. Smith:My name is Stacie Simmons and my father Rodney Simmons was one of the writers and members of The Sensations. Johnny Washington was lead singer. The group itself was not orignially from Battle Creek, my father lived lived and later married to Donna Simmons. The group was formed out of Albion, Michigan where my father and Johnny were both born. The original members were Johnny Washington lead singer and writer, my father Rodney C. Simmons writer, singer and played piano and Esi Guzman all of Albion. If you would like to listen to one of there songs you can go to flaashy.com and type in please baby please-The Sensations... I've been trying to get a hold of there music myself. My father is deceased and I talk to who I call uncle Johnny from time to time. You may email me at [email protected].

i want to get the record tittled i guess that's life, by the sensations and four walls and a window by bobby wade; both the sensations and bobby wade were on way out records. i read the information above and will email stacie simmons and lou ragland. if any one has more information please email me. i loved both records when i was 14 years old i'm 55 now

This is Stacie Simmons the daughter of Rodney Simmons who was singer and writer of The Sensations I wanted to post my new email for those who are trying to reach me. It's [email protected]...