*To borrow from showbiz entrepreneur Manya Nogg’s ebook titled “age is only a quantity and mine is unlisted,” Motown legend Cornelius Grant had no qualms about asserting his eightieth birthday which was simply celebrated with an eclectic mixture of household, previous schoolmates, Motown cohorts, and enterprise companions.
The personal occasion of about 50 invited company was held on the Metropolis Membership in downtown Los Angeles on April 27.
Grant who was bandleader for Motown’s Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, and finally The Temptations – alongside along with his spouse Poppy and daughters – welcomed company that included Claudette Robinson (former member of The Miracles, and former spouse of Smokey Robinson), musician extraordinaire Antonio “Tony” Newton, singer Brenda Holloway, music historian Andy Harland, and different Motown associates.
Different invitees – Janie Bradford, Mickey Stevenson, Otis Williams, and Lee “The Voice” Bailey – had been unable to attend resulting from scheduling conflicts, however provided well-wishes, nonetheless.
Classmates from Detroit’s Mumford Excessive College included Joel Gilman, Rick Gold, Sharon Gorman, and Joyce Crenshaw who offered Grant with an exquisite pictorial album stuffed with previous classmates and mates.
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Grant – a co-writer on a number of Motown songs – is greatest recognized for his guitar intro to The Temptations’ hit “(I Know) I’m Shedding You.” He mentioned he was training fifths on his guitar when producer Norman Whitfield occurred to listen to him and mentioned he may do one thing with that. Whitfield recruited songwriter/lyricist Eddie Holland, and customary it for singer David Ruffin who nailed it! That track has been lined by Uncommon Earth, Rod Stewart, and plenty of others! One other tune by The Temptations, “You’re My All the things,” additionally options Grant on the intro.
It wasn’t meant to be a typical “enjoyable and frolic” occasion, however relatively a roundtable setting the place all of us eagerly shared our experiences with Grant and different memorable matters. As Grant acknowledged everybody seated on the desk, he paused when he acquired to Ruth Adkins-Robinson (an business staple as a author and producer) to specific a deep emotional appreciation for his or her affiliation all through the years at Hollywood Reporter, and plenty of different endeavors. I used to be lucky sufficient to be seated between her, and famed photographer Ian Foxx who captured the affair on digicam. There was additionally a looped video collage of Grant all through the years with most of the individuals he labored with.
Leisure was offered by the fabulous acapella trio “Sizzle” who had the viewers clapping, snapping, singing, and rocking to songs from doo wop, to Motown, and in between. It was enjoyable! The service at Metropolis Membership was first-class.
On the finish, Anita Punjabi who’s Poppy’s niece, said “I liked the discussions that got here up; I discovered a lot tonight!”
Larry Buford is a contributing author. Creator of “Issues Are Gettin’ Outta Hand” and “Ebook To The Future” (Amazon). He’s additionally a former Motown songwriter. Electronic mail: [email protected]
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