Duane Thomas, Master recording unheard for 45 years.
It was 1974. Golden World. Motown Studio B. Orson Lewis and Michael Grace. And me.
1974: Backstory
A young lead guitar player, fresh outta Johnny and The Hurricanes, I recorded a solo EP of originals at Golden World/ Motown Studio B on Davison.
It was where Marvin Gaye recorded vocals/overdubs for “Whats goin’ On?” in 1971, and the Reflections had recorded “Just like Romeo and Juliet”.
I guess I was a Dennis Coffey (Motown Sessions Guitarist, Wah-wah “Scorpio”) wanna-be. White kid with wah-wah, from Johnny and The Hurricanes. I even dyed my hair like him.
Motown producer Ralph Terrana and I left Johnny and The Hurricanes, I was playing slide with The Famous Coachman Bo-Bo Jenkins at the Langston Hughes Theatre, recorded my originals.
They were a nice variety of styles, leads, arranging.
Engineers Orson Lewis and Michael Grace were beyond helpful thru the recording, overdubs and mastering. I just didnt know WHO they were.
And, I didnt, dont, still know how this all went down. Who paid for my sessions, musicians, recording time, overdub time, and final mix-down?
(I was very lucky, just didnt know it.)
I headed to Capricorn Records, and then to Criteria in Miami. I settled in Coral Gables.
I just completely blew Motown off.
(Oh GOD, what did I do?)
Later, I find that Sound Suite Studios at Hitsville, months later in 1975, was started by Orson and Michael. In the space of 6 months, they went from recording me Gladys Knight, the Romantics, Bob Seger, Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others at Sound Suite.
What was I thinking to not hustle that tape?
Dale Martin, longtime Associate producer and fellow guitarist, asked about them recently,
Why was the 16 track and Master 15 IPS sitting there for 45 years all this time? They were there in ‘86 when we got a house back then...(and they were there in ‘76 too). I have no clue why I didn’t get them sooner.
This week I hope to try and copy them.
Questionable of course, is any musical relevance after 45 years.
I hope I don’t owe Motown any money!
