Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Northern Soul's Top 45 rpm Singer Frank Wilson Dies

Frank Wilson, who was from Houston, Texas, passed away on September 27th from prostate cancer.   His single "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" is one of the holy grails of 45 rpm record collecting.   A genuine copy (signed by Wilson) sold in 2009 for over $40,000!  It accurately reflects the dedication of Northern soul collectors, as demand for 60s soul rarities have sent prices spiralling skywards in recent years. Here's a condensed version of the story:

Shortly after he was hired at Motown, Wilson wrote and recorded the track with himself as the artist.  Approximately 250 demo 45s of the song were pressed and scheduled for release on December 23, 1965. However, the promos were done without Berry Gordy’s blessing.  Not going through proper channels was certainly frowned upon at Motown and Gordy, known for his tough management style, allegedly didn’t appreciate Wilson recording the track without his OK, so the demos were destroyed.  At least two, and maybe as many as five, copies survived, one of which fetched £25,742 in May 2009. One is believed to be owned by Berry Gordy himself. Due to its scarcity it remains one of the most collectable discs especially by followers of Northern soul.

Frank Wilson wrote or co-wrote a long list of hits, including "Love Child," "I'm Living in Shame," "Up the Ladder to the Roof," and "Stone Love" (Supremes); "All I Need" (Temptations); "Still Water Love" and "It's the Way Nature Planned It" (Four Tops); "Boogie Down," "Keep on Truckin'," and "Darling Come Back Home" (Eddie Kendricks); "You Made Me So Very Happy" (Brenda Holloway, Blood, Sweat & Tears); "Chained" (Marvin Gaye); and "Whole Lot of Shakin' in My Heart" (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles).

Wilson left Motown in 1976 and worked with the likes of Freda Payne, Lenny Williams and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. before becoming a born again Christian and entering the ministry. He also became an author including the books The Master Degree-Majoring in Your Marriage and Unmasking the Lone Ranger. In 2006, he returned to producing, working with John Legend on Each Day Gets Better.

Here are the Top 3 most valuable records:

1.  John Lennon & Yoko Ono - Double Fantasy (Geffen US Album, 1980) Autographed by Lennon five hours before Mark David Chapman assassinated him. $525,000.

2.  The Quarrymen - "That'll Be the Day"/"In Spite Of All The Danger" (UK 78 RPM, Acetate in plain sleeve, 1958) Only one copy made. $180,000

3.  The Beatles - Yesterday and Today (Capitol, US Album in 'butcher' sleeve, 1966) $38,500, though more typically prices range from $150-$7500

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Dave Sitek Launches New Record Label

Renowned producer and member of TV on the Radio Dave Sitek today announced the launch of Federal Prism - a new record label where Sitek will personally record, mix, produce, and release a series of limited edition 12-inch vinyl picture discs with a uniquely curator-driven perspective. The vinyl will be limited to 500 numbered copies each with a jacket personally hand silkscreened by Sitek.

More on the story HERE

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cool album cover!

Dragonsclaw Reveal Album Cover Art

Australian metal outfit Dragonsclaw recently revealed the album cover art for the band's upcoming release called 'Judgement Day.'  Originally it was an EP release, but the now full-length album is expected to be released in early 2013.













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LED ZEPPELIN To Attend London Screening Of 'Celebration Day' 

LED ZEPPELIN members John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant will be at London, England's Hammersmith Apollo on October 12 for a special premiere screening of "Celebration Day". 

Read more at Blabbermouth






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Art Garfunkel A No Show For 2 Swedish Concerts

Swedish concert organizers stated that Art Garfunkel failed to show up at two scheduled events and instead flew home to the United States.  Organizer Niels Estrup told the Sydsvenskan paper on Sunday that the iconic 1960s pop singer failed to appear at Night of the Proms, a fusion of classical and pop music, in Goteborg on Friday and Malmo on Saturday.

seems he may have angered the swiss......

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album cover art of the day, this out of new zealand

VILLAINY announce album – with cover art by Storm Thorgerson




















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hundreds of billions of CDs have been sold, but as we all know, it doesn't do the music justice, but our beloved vinyl does!


Rock on! The compact disc turns 30








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Dio Disciples Lock Down US Tour in Support of New Dio Hits Package

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The Starting Line To Release Super Rare LP On Vinyl

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cool write up, people think that you can't find turntables, that's bull, you can get a great one for around $300

LPs are groovy again; here's what you need to know about buying a decent turntable.

How to buy a turntable

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Rory Gallagher's Re-Mastered Albums Released Today

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Slash to Perform New Single 'Standing in the Sun' on TBS's CONAN, 10/4

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Hear Mumford And Sons Cover Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen

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in the category of now i have seen everything.....

LEGO Record Player