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Post by iratherlikeme on Sept 27, 2004 1:49:52 GMT -5
Since my last post in this thread, I never got around to Their Eyes like I said I would, but I did read some others. Drive Me Crazy - Eric Jerome Dickey. I couldn't put it down. I don't know why I loved it, but I did. It was a lot of fun. Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown; simply put, it's an amazing book. That also goes for his Angels and Demons. Wow. ![]() Can You Keep A Secret? - Sophie Kinsella. Such a cute read. I'd definitely read it again. Ain't She Sweet: Luv U 4-Ever - Susan Elizabeth Philips. It's a romance novel but deeper than just that aspect; I loved this one. Funny as all get-out (depending on your sense of humor). Push - Sapphire. It's like Color Purple (which I may have also read since I last posted here, but I'm not sure). It's a very raw, very honest work of fiction. Told through the eyes of a girl who saw and experienced some truly painful stuff. Great book, although hard to read at times. The girl was learning to read and write and sometimes the text was part of her "journal." Nanny Diaries - some former nannies; I liked it even though it made me mad at some parts. I didn't like how the parents were treating their children. Like accessories.  Maniac Magee - some guy; it's a young adult/juvenile book, but believe me when I tell you it's the best book ever written.  I also read a couple of Christian fiction novels. Return and An Ocean Apart by Karen Kingsley(?). Oh, and I lost my job at the library. I worked their for 27 days and they canned me. Life is not my friend.  |
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Post by keres on Sept 27, 2004 12:13:37 GMT -5
It ain`t mine either...but I think it could be even worse, so i`m taking it as it is.  |
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Post by 2Sweet on Sept 27, 2004 23:26:09 GMT -5
I'm currently reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I've had this book for at least a year (I think)but I'm just getting into it. Also, The Believer's Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Thomas B. White.
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Post by keres on Sept 28, 2004 13:28:44 GMT -5
I'm currently reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I've had this book for at least a year (I think)but I'm just getting into it. Also, The Believer's Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Thomas B. White. Could you tell what are these books about?  |
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Post by iratherlikeme on Sept 28, 2004 20:59:57 GMT -5
Argghhh! If I hear about this book one more time...! :laughing
No, seriously, everyone I know is reading this book. Sojme churches are even making the book the subject of their Bible Study classes, one chapter a week.
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Post by Coey on Jan 1, 2005 23:01:57 GMT -5
Ive been trying to get thru this book that was given to me a few weeks ago.. *Love in the Time of Cholera* by Gabriel Garcia Marquez....seems pretty good right now. but I have to admit. Im not spending much time reading it.. only late at night...... about a man who has loved this woman for 50 years.. and he finally does something about it.....
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Post by Debbie on Jan 2, 2005 10:29:22 GMT -5
For Xmas - I got the book "Motown - The View From The Bottom" by Jack Ashford.
I finished it a few days ago - it was a good read.
I was shocked to read about an incident between Jack - Melvin Franklin and Norman Whitfield.
If you would like for me to post it up - let me know.
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Post by Aba21 on Jan 2, 2005 11:56:21 GMT -5
Bill Clinton............My Life
London Bridges................James Paterson
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Post by tabby on Jan 2, 2005 12:00:53 GMT -5
For Xmas - I got the book "Motown - The View From The Bottom" by Jack Ashford. I finished it a few days ago - it was a good read. I was shocked to read about an incident between Jack - Melvin Franklin and Norman Whitfield. If you would like for me to post it up - let me know. Oh yes, please, Debbie do post it! |
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Post by brunneng on Jan 2, 2005 16:00:00 GMT -5
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Post by Debbie on Jan 3, 2005 11:35:18 GMT -5
Oh yes, please, Debbie do post it! Thanks Anna. I will give a little bit of back-ground information first: The chapter in the book I am going to quote from is called "Norman Whitfield And I" - and first explains that when Motown moved to Los Angeles - Norman Whitfield followed. He did not like the way he was being treated so he kissed Motown good-bye and launched his own company and named it Whitfield Records. Jack was in Los Angeles also - and Norman asked Jack to come work for him - and Jack did - Jack was in charge of productions. Now I will pick up the incident: One day while walking the Hollywood streets (discussing business) we found ourselves on King Road. Norman says "Hey Jack - Blue lives in this building - let's see if he is home". Melvin buzzed them up to his apartment. Melvin's gladness at seeing us again was most touching. His euphoric behavior signaled that our visit had really made his day. We shook hands - embraced and Melvin insisted "Come on in and take a seat in the living room. It wasn't difficult to overlook as well as the other items of furniture that decorated the small loft-type apartment. Back in the day, Melvin had lived in a mansion, but hard times had altered his lifestyle and a small apartment suited his budget better. It was 1980 - The Temptations were in between record deals and were not working steady at all. Tears in Melvin's eyes gathered silently as he expressed how family and friends hang around when there is plenty of money, but quickly become distant when your pockets are empty. He said it was difficult to be accused of not providing properly for his family. He walked to the window and said "I feel like jumping out of this window and ending it all". Norman was visibly shaken and showed concern by saying "Trouble don't last always, and things are going to get better". Jack sat there trying to think of something to say that would lift Melvin's spirits - because he had the feeling Melvin couldn't continue in this frame of mind, especially with Xmas approaching. No money, plus Xmas right around the corner seemed to be the formula for encouraging deep depression and self destruction. Jack thought of Paul Williams, who took his own life when the group was hot and on the charts. With every fiber in Jack, he wanted to be of some assistance. Jack says "I got an idea Norman, why don't you produce an album on the Temps? You once had them as the hottest R&B group in the world, I really think that it could work". Just hearing those words obliterated the negative thoughts Melvin had moments earlier. He was ecstatic. He began prancing and declaring "This could work Norman, we can do it again, this could work Man". Norman slowly replied "Well yeah, it could work, but I couldn't afford to put you guys on my label. See by the time I gave y'all advances and manufactured the records, I would be damn near broke. Jack obstructed Norman's next words by saying "Why don't I set up an appointment with Berry Gordy and sell him on the idea and let him run with the package?" That sounded good to all three of us and agreed to try it. "First", Melvin explained, "You have to try to get Dennis Edwards in here from Cleveland. He is working with a construction company operating a jack hammer". It was evident that the Temps were seriously out of the music loop and needed something or somebody to help them to recover. As we started to leave, Norman gave Melvin a fist full of hundred dollar bills. This made Melvin feel someone had appreciation and compassion for him. He was extremely grateful. Jack contacted Dennis - and Dennis declared "It''s been my fervent prayer for God to provide me with something so I could get back into the music business and quit this construction job". Dennis flew into LAX Airport and he was "hyped". Norman checked Dennis into a hotel and gave him the "star" treatment. Jack admired Norman for the nice gesture because he really was not obligated to do that. Melvin and Dennis were informed of the date of the meeting with Berry. On the day of the appointment Jack & Norman drove over to the "Mowest" office. On the way Jack casually says to Norman "I hope Melvin isn't late because I want Berry to know that we are serious". Norman agreed and expressed how happy he was to have another shot at producing the Temps. Norman and Jack arrive at the Mowest office where they were escorted to a conference room and were seated at this long conference table that sat 12 people. They were offered beverages while they waited. They were too anxious to even take a sip of water. The clock was getting closer to their appointment time and Melvin had not arrived. Jack remembered that Melvin had made the comment that he wanted a $50,000 advance for each member of the group upon signing. Jack figured that that a man with that kind of expectation of money would likely be on time. Without warning, one of the walls of the conference room opened and it revealed Berry and he walked over to us. They exchanged small talk for a moment. The conversation broke away and Berry says "I know that you guys are here to meet with me about the Temps, but Melvin was here yesterday, and we were able to cut a nice deal". Jack says "Oh yeah?" Norman was disappointed. Berry tried to assure him that he had a better deal for him to produce some other act in the company. Norman's reply was, "I'll get back with you in a couple of days". Out of courtesy they all shook hands and Jack and Norman made their way out. Jack knew Norman well enough to know that "I'll get back to you in a couple of days" meant "Go to Hell". Jack and Norman drove back to their office in total disbelief that Melvin had back-doored them and never bothered to call. Plus, he allowed them to go to Berry's office and be humiliated. How un-grateful! What kind of sh** is that? Melvin did the same thing that Berry did when he moved the company from Detroit to Los Angeles. Melvin never called and he never acknowledged that Norman and I were responsible for pulling the Temptations n*ts out of the fire. I should have been very angry, but I felt good about the fact that through our efforts we were actually the ones that were responsible for raising the Temps from the dead, so life could be pumped into them again. No one would touch them when their careers fell upon hard times. Just remember you know the true story of the Temptations rebirth into the music industry. To this day, they have never said thanks, not ever. (Jack) |
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Post by mcribs on Jan 3, 2005 12:40:08 GMT -5
This is the first even remotely negative thing that I have heard about Melvin.  |
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Post by kalisa2 on Jan 3, 2005 14:50:43 GMT -5
This is the first even remotely negative thing that I have heard about Melvin. Never fear, McR...I'm sure "the devil (Otis) made him do it" :laughing |
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Post by Aba21 on Jan 3, 2005 15:59:28 GMT -5
That is a very interesting story. However in 1980, in order for any deal to be consumated, Otis had to be there somewhere. Melvin may well have told Otis and they called Berry behind Norman's back, but I have a hard time believing that Melvin could or would have done it alone. One of Berry's first questions would have been, Where's Otis? I am not demeaning Melvin in any way by this comment but, IMO, Otis was at that time, the official leader of the group and would have had to have some say in any decision........that being said, Norman said he has never heard a thank you from anybody or anything since the thing happened....meaning to me he does not know the details of said meeting............so it is possible that somewhere down the line Otis was involved.
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Post by kalisa2 on Jan 3, 2005 16:43:10 GMT -5
That is a very interesting story. However in 1980, in order for any deal to be consumated, Otis had to be there somewhere. Melvin may well have told Otis and they called Berry behind Norman's back, but I have a hard time believing that Melvin could or would have done it alone. One of Berry's first questions would have been, Where's Otis? I am not demeaning Melvin in any way by this comment but, IMO, Otis was at that time, the official leader of the group and would have had to have some say in any decision........that being said, Norman said he has never heard a thank you from anybody or anything since the thing happened....meaning to me he does not know the details of said meeting............so it is possible that somewhere down the line Otis was involved. No doubt in my mind that Otis was involved. Just as there is no doubt in my mind that Melvin was involved in some of the things Otis is given total blame for. I find it interesting about Melvin yelling to get Dennis back. We know from the interview with the group in response to "Sinking of the Good Ship Temptations" that Otis didn't miss Dennis and probably wouldn't have called him back on his own, from his comments. I think what we don't do is give Melvin credit for as much power as he probably wielded within the Organization at those times. I've said it before, I'll say it again...it was a two-man leadership by then... by allowing things to happen, whether he instigated them or not, Melvin was giving at the very least tacit agreement to the decisions acted upon. If he 'turned over' most of his leadership rights to Otis, it was because he agreed with most of the decisions Otis made. And obviously fought him for the things he (Melvin) wanted to happen. |
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