The Showstoppers

The Showstoppers
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genres R&B, Soul
Years active 1967 - 1972
Labels Showtime, Guyden, Heritage, MGM, Beacon.
Past members
"Alex" Burke
"Laddie" Burke
Earl Smith
Timmy Smith

The Showstoppers (alternatively The Show Stoppers[1]) was a four-piece African American vocal soul group formed in Philadelphia about 1967.[1] They are best remembered for their 1967 hit, "Ain't Nothin' But a Houseparty",[1] which was the debut release on three record labels: Showtime Records, Heritage Records, and Beacon Records.[2]

Contents

History

The Showstoppers was formed about 1967 by brothers, Elec Edward "Alex" Burke (born 16 February 1948 in Philadelphia)[3] and Vladimir H. "Laddie" Burke (born 31 July 1949 in Philadelphia),[4] who were the two oldest of the five younger brothers of Atlantic Record's star Solomon Burke, who joined with fellow Germantown High School students, brothers Earl Smith (born 1949 in Massachusetts) and Timmy Smith (born 1950 in Massachusetts).[1][5] The Burke brothers had been in show business since at least 1957 as part of a four-member group with two of their two younger brothers.[6]

"Ain't Nothin' But a House Party" (1967)

After rehearsing under the guidance of Solomon Burke,[1] they modeled themselves initially on The Vibrations.[7] After signing to local Philadelphia label Showtime Records, The Showstoppers had a couple of local hit singles in Philadelphia.[7] Their 1967 hit "Ain't Nothin' But a Houseparty" b/w "What Can a Man Do?" (STR 101),[8] sold well in Pittsburgh, and New York City,[9] and sold about 40,000 copies in Philadelphia,[10] and reached #118 on the Billboard charts on May 27, 1967.[11][12] The session musicians on the song included Carl Chambers, who was later drummer with Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Joe Thomas, who went on to become the guitarist with The Impressions.

By early 1968 Antiguan-born American businessman Milton Samuel,[13][14][15] the head of Beacon Records, a small independent record label started in January 1968 in the Afro-Caribbean London suburb of Willesden,[16] who was later Antigua & Barbuda's Ambassador to the UK and the founder of the Bank of Antigua,[17][18] purchased the UK leasing rights for "Ain't Nothing But a House Party" for only £30.[15] On February 16, 1968, "Ain't Nothing But a House Party" became the first release on Beacon Records,[19][20][21] (giving it its only hit).[1] In March 1968 Samuel and Mike Berry of Apple Records had negotiated a deal for "Ain't Nothing But a House Party" to be released through a newly-created Milton Apple Music,[22] but the inability to locate one of The Beatles to approve the deal forced Samuel to make alternate arrangements.[23][24] Initially distributed through the British Independent Record Distributors Network,[16][25] "Ain't Nothing But a House Party" caught on with DJs in the UK, and spent 16 weeks in the charts, debuting at #57 on March 2, 1968,[26] before entering the Top 40 at #38 on March 23, 1968.[27] By the end of March, Samuel organized a British visit for the Showstoppers.[28] The Showstoppers made the first of their three appearances on the British television program Top of the Pops on April 18, 1968. According to one British source, "Ain't Nothing But a House Party" "was played to death and back to life at the Twisted Wheel and Blue Note Club in Manchester",[29] and peaked at #11 on May 4, 1968 in the UK Singles Chart.[30] Later in May 1968 "Ain't Nothin' But a House Party" was released in Germany on Ariola Records and France on Barclay Records, and later released by Beacon in Scandinavia, the Benelux countries, Austria, Italy, Japan and New Zealand.[2]

Jerry J. Ross (born May 1, 1933 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania),[31][32] the head of newly created Heritage Records, heard about "Ain't Nothin' But a House Party" from Hal Charm, his national promotions director,[31] and decided to buy the master recordings of "Ain't Nothin' But a House Party" by late April 1968, and also signed the Showstoppers to his label, became their manager, and organized MGM to distribute its re-release in the USA.[33] Despite rights being acquired for national release by MGM, it failed to become a national hit,[1] spending 5 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #87 on June 22, 1968.[12][34] It was ranked #20 on the Soul Brothers Top 20 on August 15, 1968.[35]

"Ain't Nothin' But a House Party" was a discothèque hit (#33) in 1971.[36]

Regarded as a Northern soul classic, the song has been covered by The Tremeloes (1968);[37] The Paper Dolls; Cliff Richard on his album Cliff: Live at the Talk of the Town (1970);[38] The J. Geils Band, who had a #2 AOR U.S. hit with it in 1973; and Phil Fearon, who recorded a house music version produced by Stock Aitken Waterman in 1986 that reached #60 in the UK charts.[39][40][41] "Ain't Nothing But a House Party" was covered in 1988 by British "supergroup" The Corporation.

"Eeny Meeny" (1968)

All of The Showstoppers subsequent singles were produced by Indian-British producer Biddu and recorded by Beacon Records in England.[42] The Showstoppers' follow-up single, "Eeny Meeny" b/w "How Easy the Heart Forgets" (Heritage HE 802), was released in September 1968 in the USA, but it failed to chart there.[43] On November 7, 1968 The Showstoppers appeared on Beat! Beat! Beat!, a West German television show,[44] where they lip synched "Ain't Nothin' But a House Party" and their new release, "Eeny Meeny".[45] After Milton Samuel negotiated a deal in October 1968 to distribute Beacon Records recordings through EMI,[25] on November 13, 1968 "Eeny Meeny",[36] (MGM 1436), entered the UK charts, where it spent the next 7 weeks, peaking at #33.[46]

Later releases (1968-1972)

The Showstoppers released several more singles, including "Shake Your Mini" (1968);[47] and 1969's "Just A Little Bit Of Lovin'" b/w "School Prom" (Beacon BEA 130),[48] however none achieved chart success.

Chart success in the UK and Europe "created demand not only for the record but for live appearances as well".[49] As the Showstoppers had disbanded, Jerry Ross sent a different group on an entire tour of the UK and Europe as The Show Stoppers,[50] which was a group later known as The Persuaders, who would later score with "Thin Line Between Love and Hate".[49] Eventually the authentic Showstoppers traveled to Europe and were well-received.[49]

On January 17, 1971 The Showstoppers performed at the Twisted Wheel Club in Manchester, England. The Showstoppers made their third and final appearance on Top of the Pops on February 28, 1971, singing the disco version of "Aint' Nothing But a House Party".[51][52]

After their own tour of Europe, and in the absence of any other hit records, The Showstoppers disbanded finally about 1972.[7]

Group members

Discography

Singles (45 rpm)

Title (A Side/B Side) (Label Number) Year

Compilations

LPs

Compact Discs

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Biography by Andrew Hamiltion". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p192360/biography. Retrieved 20 April 2009. 
  2. ^ a b Nigel Hunter, "London", Billboard (May 11, 1968):50.
  3. ^ Ancestry.com. U.S. Public Records Index, Vol. 1.
  4. ^ Ancestry.com. U.S. Public Records Index, Vol. 2.
  5. ^ "The Showstoppers", http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/The%20Showstoppers.html
  6. ^ Ruth Rolen, "Singer Solomon Burke Lives the Lyrics; Pastors at 13", The Washington Afro-American (August 17, 1957):18.
  7. ^ a b c Frank W. Hoffmann, Rhythm and Blues, Rap, and Hip-Hop, Vol. 6 (Infobase Publishing, 2006):239.
  8. ^ "SHOW STOPPERS-What Can A Man", http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270688706574&nma=true&rt=nc&si=Q%252B%252F0cn8ha88Q%252Bw4AGqwFdlnUcus%253D
  9. ^ "Ain't Nothin' But a Smash!", Billboard (27 May 1967):53.
  10. ^ Andrew Hamilton, "The Show Stoppers", AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists, ", http://www.answers.com/topic/the-show-stoppers
  11. ^ Billboard (27 May 1967):20.
  12. ^ a b "Overnight Sensation - The 60s: 1966-67", http://www.whitewolfzone.co.uk/overnight60s4.htm
  13. ^ One source suggests Samuel was born in Jamaica. See Doug Flett, "UFO", http://www.dougflett.com/miscellany_doug_flett_song_writer.html
  14. ^ "'Party' Bows Beacon", Billboard (17 February 1968):41.
  15. ^ a b Paul Martin, "VARIOUS ARTISTS: Let's Copp A Groove: Lost UK Soul 1968-1972 (RPM; CD)", Shindig Magazine, http://www.shindig-magazine.com/oldreviews/reviews/2003-09-2.htm
  16. ^ a b "London", Billboard (16 December 1967):50.
  17. ^ Grenville Radio Ltd
  18. ^ Blues & Soul, Issues 576-588 (1990),
  19. ^ Show Stoppers
  20. ^ "'Paty' Bows Beacon", Billboard (17 February 1968):41.
  21. ^ 45cat - The Show Stoppers - Ain't Nothing But A House Party / What Can A Man Do - Beacon - 3 100
  22. ^ Nigel Hunter, London", Billboard (23 March 1968):47.
  23. ^ Bill Harry, "Speaking Words of Wisdom: How Mike Berry Introduced Paul McCartney to the World of Music Publishing", Mersey Beat, http://www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/wordsofwisdom2.shtml
  24. ^ "Beacon Records (2)", http://www.discogs.com/label/Beacon+Records+(2)
  25. ^ a b Graeme Andrews, "London", Billboard (5 Oct 1968):57.
  26. ^ "Showstoppers", http://www.chartwatch.co.uk/TopTen/acts/ACT04152.htm
  27. ^ Billboard (23 March 1968):50.
  28. ^ Nigel Hunter, "London" Billboard (30 March 1968):56.
  29. ^ "The Show Stoppers", http://www.soulbot.com/The-Show-Stoppers.htm
  30. ^ Billboard (4 May 1968):53.
  31. ^ a b Jason H. Thornton, "Jerry Ross: A Philly Musical Architect", 'There's That Beat, Vol. 8. (June 2008), from http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=141093995920406
  32. ^ "Jerry Ross", http://www.discogs.com/artist/Jerry+Ross
  33. ^ "'Houseparty' Disk Goes to Heritage", Billboard (27 April 1968):12.
  34. ^ "Billboard Hot 100", Billboard (22 June 1968):68; "The Show Stoppers", (April 29, 2010), http://www.somanyrecordssolittletime.com/?cat=238
  35. ^ "Soul Brothers Top 20", Jet (15 August 1968):65.
  36. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 497. ISBN 978-1-904994-10-7. 
  37. ^ Melinda Bilyeu, Hector Cook, and Andrew Môn Hughes, The Bee Gees: Tales of the Brothers Gibb, 2nd ed. (Omnibus Press, 2004):200.
  38. ^ "Cliff Live at the Talk of the Town", http://new.music.yahoo.com/cliff-richard/albums/cliff-live-at-the-talk-of-the-town-remastered--42149278
  39. ^ "Record Shorts", Echoes (8 November 1986):4.
  40. ^ Brian Chin, "Dance Trax", Billboard (8 November 1986):29.
  41. ^ "Phil Fearon & Galaxy – Dancin’ Tight: The Best of (1992)", (July 8, 2010), http://soulfunkjazz.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/
  42. ^ "Let's Copp A Groove: - Lost UK Soul", https://www.freakemporium.com/cgibin/list_label.cgi?label=RPM
  43. ^ a b 45cat - The Show Stoppers - Eeny Meeny / How Easy Your Heart Forgets Me - MGM - MGM 1436
  44. ^ "Show Overview", http://www.tv.com/beat%21-beat%21-beat%21/show/31175/summary.html?tag=page_nav;main
  45. ^ "Show 24: November 7, 1968", http://www.tv.com/beat!-beat!-beat!/vanity-fair--the-showstoppers--julie-felix--vic-dana--flirtations/episode/374230/summary.html
  46. ^ a b "The Showstoppers - Eeny Meeny", http://www.discoogle.com/wiki/Showstoppers,_The_-_Eeny_Meeny_(Uk,1968,Mgm_1436,SINGLE_7)
  47. ^ Larry Grogan, "The Show Stoppers - Shake Your Mini", (August 10, 2005)
  48. ^ a b 45cat - Showstoppers - Just A Little Bit Of Lovin' / School Prom. - Beacon - BEA 130
  49. ^ a b c Andrew Hamilton, "The Show Stoppers", AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists, http://www.answers.com/topic/the-show-stoppers
  50. ^ Frank Pozen, "Jango Song Of The Day-The Show Stoppers", http://frankp316.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html
  51. ^ "TOP OF THE POPS - THE SURVIVING EDITIONS 1966-1976", http://homepage.ntlworld.com/e.watkins/musictv/totp_full_shows.htm
  52. ^ www.missing-episodes.com - Top of the Pops 1968 Edition
  53. ^ Soulwalking.co.uk - accessed April 2009
  54. ^ "AIN T NOTHIN BUT A PARTY", http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=15070&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID
  55. ^ "Songwriter/Composer: FISHER CARLTON JAMES", http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&querytype=WriterID&keyid=113051&keyname=FISHER+CARLTON+JAMES&CAE=56828353&Affiliation=BMI
  56. ^ "Del Sharh", http://www.discogs.com/artist/Del+Sharh; http://www.faqs.org/copyright/end-up-crying-w-and-m-carl-fisher-aka-del-sharh-ricky/
  57. ^ "Joseph Thomas (2)", http://www.discogs.com/artist/Joseph+Thomas+(2)?anv=Thomas
  58. ^ "WHAT CAN A MAN DO (Legal Title)", BMI Work #1630799, http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=1630799&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID
  59. ^ "45 Discography for Guyden Records", http://www.globaldogproductions.info/g/guyden.html
  60. ^ a b "45 Discography for Heritage Records", http://www.globaldogproductions.info/h/heritage.html
  61. ^ "Ain't Nothin' But a House Party / What Can a Man Do?", http://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/the_show_stoppers/aint_nothin_but_a_house_party___what_can_a_man_do__f1/
  62. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Show-Stoppers-Aint-Nothin-But-A-House-Party/release/1107513
  63. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Show-Stoppers-Aint-Nothing-But-A-House-Party/release/1896095
  64. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Show-Stoppers-Aint-Nothing-But-A-House-Party-What-Can-A-Man-Do/release/2088937
  65. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Show-Stoppers-Aint-Nothin-But-A-House-Party/release/1956137
  66. ^ "Show Stoppers", http://www.musicstack.com/album/show_stoppers/ain
  67. ^ "EENY MEENY MINEY MO (Legal Title)", BMI Work #357981, http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&keyid=357981&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID
  68. ^ "HOW EASY YOUR HEART FORGETS ME (Legal Title)", BMI Work #592528, http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&keyid=592528&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID
  69. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Show-Stoppers-Eeny-Meeny/release/2050481
  70. ^ 45cat - The Show Stoppers - Eeny Meeny / How Easy Your Heart Forgets Me - MGM - 2006 038
  71. ^ "Showstoppers Eeny Meeny - Re-issue", http://www.musicstack.com/item/229682966
  72. ^ a b Show Stoppers Shake Your Mini UK 7" RECORD (485126)
  73. ^ "Show Stoppers – Shake Your Mini (Showtime)", http://www.funky16corners.lunarpages.net/f16zine/WEB/6_45s_3.htm
  74. ^ John Henry Fitch, Jr. (born March 5, 1944). Wrote "Shame" performed by Evelyn "Champagne" King, along with "I Don't Know if it's Right", and "Music Box", "Smooth Talk". Additionally he wrote "Supersweet" and "Captain Boogie" performed by Wardell Piper, and "Lovesick" for Carol Douglas. He has performed with The Butlers (featuring Frankie Beverly), The Showstoppers, John Fitch & Associates ("Romantic Attitude" and "Stoned Out of it"), and his rock group The Racers, a Philadelphia-based group". See www.myspace.com/jhfitch
  75. ^ "John H. Fitch, Jr.", http://www.discogs.com/artist/John+H.+Fitch%2C+Jr.?anv=John+Fitch
  76. ^ "Showstoppers: Heartbreaker (shake Your Mini)", http://www.musicstack.com/item/212413590
  77. ^ "DO YOU NEED MY LOVE TO GET BETTER (Legal Title)", BMI Work #312264, http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=312264&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID
  78. ^ for sale on CDandLP.com
  79. ^ 45cat - Showstoppers - Don't Leave Me Standing In The Rain / Do You Need My Love - Beacon - BEA 110
  80. ^ "JUST A LITTLE BIT OF LOVIN (Legal Title)", BMI Work #782557, http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&keyid=782557&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID
  81. ^ "School Prom", http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=1299148&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID
  82. ^ "Showstoppers: Pick Up Your Smile ", http://www.musicstack.com/item/212413591
  83. ^ Credited to the SHOWSTOPPERS a fine soul / doo-wop recording. This is actually the FORTUNE TELLERS a 1961 Sheryl label #340. See http://www.cdandlp.com/item/2/0-220102-0-1-0/1040463294/showstoppers-school-prom..html
  84. ^ http://cgi.ebay.fr/NORTHERN-SOUL-FORTUNE-TELLERS-SCHOOL-PROM-SHERYL-/120659734929?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item1c17e17191
  85. ^ "Showstoppers: School Prom", http://www.musicstack.com/item/325212392
  86. ^ 45cat - Showstoppers - Reach In The Goody Bag / How Do You Feel - Beacon - BEA 177
  87. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Showstoppers-Reach-In-The-Goody-Bag/release/2316732
  88. ^ "The Showstoppers - Reach In The Goody Bag", http://www.discoogle.com/wiki/Showstoppers%2C_The_-_Reach_In_The_Goody_Bag_%28Uk%2C1971%2CBea_177%2CSINGLE_7%29
  89. ^ "Showstoppers* - Action Speaks Louder Than Words", http://www.discogs.com/Showstoppers-Action-Speaks-Louder-Than-Words/release/2348195
  90. ^ Problem Encountered
  91. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Showstoppers-Sherrys-Aint-Nothin-But-A-House-Party-Pop-Pop-Pop-Eye/release/2348168
  92. ^ Mike Callahan and David Edwards, "Jamie Album Discography", (July 30, 2003), http://www.bsnpubs.com/philadelphia/jamie/jamie.html
  93. ^ Mike Callahan, Dave Edwards, Randy Watts, and Patrice Eyries, "Lost Nite Album Discography", (May 2, 2008), http://www.bsnpubs.com/philadelphia/lostnite/lostnite.html
  94. ^ Mike Callahan, Patrice Eyries, and Dave Edwards, "Colossus Album Discography", (June 25, 2007), http://www.bsnpubs.com/mgm/colossus.html
  95. ^ "Out On The Floor Tonight", http://www.discogs.com/Various-Out-On-The-Floor-Tonight/release/1750920
  96. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Various-Casino-Classics-Chapter-Two/release/2563884
  97. ^ http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/various_artists_f2/tainted_love_by_gloria_jones_plus_10_northern_soul_classics/
  98. ^ Mike Callahan, David Edwards, and Patrice Eyries, "Rhino Album Discography, Part 1: RNLP 001/051 & 70000 Series", (August 17, 2005), http://www.bsnpubs.com/warner/rhino/01rhino000.html
  99. ^ http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/various_artists_f2/soul_shots__a_collection_of_sixties_soul_classics___volume_1/
  100. ^ a b Ain't Nothin But A House Party: '60S Soul CD Album
  101. ^ Beg, Scream & Shout!: The Big Ol' Box of '60s Soul [Box] - - Product Reviews and Prices - Shopping.com
  102. ^ Beg Scream & Shout: The Big Ol' Box of '60s Soul: Information from Answers.com
  103. ^ "Various - Northern Soul Fever, Volume One", http://www.discogs.com/Various-Northern-Soul-Fever-Volume-One/release/2504389
  104. ^ Mike Callahan and David Edwards, "Jamie/Guyden Compact Disc Discography", (July 30, 2003), http://www.bsnpubs.com/philadelphia/jamie/jamiecds.html
  105. ^ "Various - The Best Sixties Party", http://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Best-Sixties-Party/release/1722252
  106. ^ "Best Of The 60's Mod CD", http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6297195/a/Best+Of+The+60's+Mod.htm
  107. ^ Tigger, "Various Artists - Come On Soul! vol. 2" (January 21, 2008), http://www.inthemix.com.au/music/36026/Various_Artists_Come_On_Soul_vol_2

Further reading

External links