A bit of Detroit party history book. Why not start with some of your own. Forgive the editing and typos. Just a start... I wanted a sound company that would surpass the reputation of Duncan Sounds. Because in my isolated worldview that was the target to set your sights for. My plan was simple. Bring the light show from the discos of old into a portable package to rent out. Add this with ear pounding sound equipment and music spun by the finest combination of legends and new jocks. Everyone else would follow or be silenced. I had a short list. The two on the legend list were easy. Dale Willis and Ken Collier. I had met and worked with them both at an Avon McDaniel sponsored DJ battle in early 1980 at the Metro Renaissance Club. My thoughts of approaching Dale were dashed as he had retired the disc jockey business full time to open a successful videotape rental parlor. Willis Video. Ken Collier was an uncomplicated guy. His apartment on Greenfield was simple and was not what I had expected. There were so many crates of records it was as if he was using the vinyl and milk crates as the furniture. Ken was the sly elder statesman. He loved to talk about music and had a loud bellowing laugh. He loved to play records and introduce the crowd to new music. He despised dishonest promoters. Though intrigued by my initial idea, his thoughts were that he likes to be solo and that my plan was better suited catering to the up and coming youngsters. He told me to check out a young man out of Central High School. He was one to watch. His song selection was sometimes limited but his skills were quite sound. But he said, “I will give you a bit of unsolicited advice.” Get rid of that lame sound system you brought to the State Fair. And Peek-A-View (my current lighting name) sounds like a special at a downtown peep show. Loose the name. But with a smile he stated, “but always give me a call when the money is right.” “And next time bring some food and drink with you.” “Lighten up, Johnson, lose the pad and pencil, it’s business but it’s the party business and you are just too serious.” My wish list of new jocks was easier being that I currently was working and renting equipment weekly with all the best. Number one on my list. Darryl Shannon. Main attraction of the Ritz Sound Company with Darryl Harvey. Darryl was not only talented but this dude was charismatic and a true mini celebrity of his own on this growing social scene. I approached Darryl Shannon at Man Oh Man inside Northland mall. He was engaged in something he called working but looked more like entertaining the three giggling young ladies hovering around the clothing rack. He listened to my pitch with a look like I should hurry the pace so he could get back to the slaughter. My first volley was an appeal to his ego. “What would think of me making you the hottest DJ in the city?” He looked me in the eye, gave me a sly half grin and said, “I’m already da shit!” His cohort, Dwayne Dwayne L Gill, met this comment with immediate laughter and agreement. Who added, “You could use some new shoes and a outfit if you want to be da shit too.” They both laughed louder! Strike. I went straight for the pockets stating, “what about splitting 50/50 and I’ll make you loads of money starting with a even grand over the Christmas break.” He offered an instant handshake as the grin turned to a smile. “When do we start?” I had the first DJ for my new unnamed company. Second on the list. Delano Smith. I walked up the driveway to a backyard party still in its early stages. Delano Smith stood about five foot seven. He had curly hair, a boyish look and flashed a devilish smile. He sometimes played with Courtier Sounds with William William W. Tandy and Terry Adams and sometimes with Carl Martins Soundwave. I think Delano fancied himself as a student of the game sometimes seeking counsel and tutelage from Ken Collier himself. I had observed Delano on previous occasions and he was always polite and professional beyond his youth. I was told that it could be because of his reputed study of the martial arts. He concentrated and labored on every mix, sometimes making him oblivious to the young ladies that gathered, giggled and fancied his every movement. My offer of fame or fortune fell on deaf ears as he stated he knew exactly whom I was and it sounded interesting but he was already committed to both Courtier and Soundwave. And gave me a polite but final no with, “You don’t need me, you’ve already got Darryl Shannon.” I left with his signature tune, Funky Town blaring in my ear. I left thinking I should have brought cash! My third target was Terry Adams of Courtier Sounds. Terry was quiet and humble. He never bragged like other DJ’s preferring to let the crowd decide. Terry was smooth and always understood song selection. He listened to my spiel attentively and never one not to be well mannered, asked me a few questions. “We already work together all the time, right? You bring the speakers. You set up the lights? Terry stated, “I’m not looking for this to be some long term career, I’m going to school.” And without even looking up, chuckled, “thanks for thinking of me but who’s going to look out for Tandy.” I brainstormed on a name for months until arriving at exactly what I wanted down to the slogan and the font. The last touch was the iconic drawing by Hassan Nurullah who hit the look with his first sketch. We immediately went to print on Satin jackets, t-shirts and buttons. I thought to myself I had to come up with a name that would be unforgettable. A presence that would be undeniable. And a marketing onslaught that would be unstoppable. My plan had been to hit the ground running with the brand, the marketing and all three DJ’on point at the Christmas 1980 Charivari party. But I only had one. We set up a great light show that formed an X. We passed out #500 buttons and the sound system was booming. There was none of the most popular songs played or microphone talking the first half of the party. We waited as the room began to fill and anticipation of their favorite tunes grew. We only used the beacons that sat on the stage and left the rack dark. We played the sound volume at what would probably be about 75%. As midnight approached we stepped up the tempo and volume and brought the rack of overhead lights to life by blinking a few colored lights and ran the occasional helicopter. We were being stingy as the plan unfolded. At midnight on the dot, we turned out the lights, filled the room quickly with smoke and turned on the beacon lights and a loud siren purchased just that day before from an alarm company. We cut everything; sound and light, for just mere seconds and out of the darkness came a voice and the introduction. THIS IS DARRYL SHANNON. DIRECT DRIVE! WHY JUST DANCE WHEN YOU CAN BE DRIVEN! And than he dropped the claps from the Kano intro at full volume and we hit the room with pin strobes and rain lights and all sorts of other blinding lighting. The crowd went dead silent and than came the loud roar of approval. What followed was barrage of tunes that kept everyone glued to the dance floor and lighting that awed everyone who entered the room. The stage was set for Direct Drive that night and many names would follow… J Abraham Wells, Kevin Got Mixes Dysard, Ray Barry, Allan C Ester Jr, Al Heath, Mike Clark, Mike Brown, Theresa Hill, Jay Ralston and more.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 22:45:01 +0000