Post by Diamond Girl on Jul 10, 2005 23:13:42 GMT -5
The Contours still want to know: 'Do you love me?'
August 29, 1985
BY GARY LICHTMAN
Free Press Special Writer
The Contours, who rocketed to the top of the charts in the early 1960s by asking the musical question, "Do You Love Me?," are trying to find their way back.
They hope to take a step up the ladder on Sept. 8 as one of the featured acts at the "World's Largest Class Reunion," a benefit being staged at the Troy Hilton for HAVEN, Oakland County's domestic violence shelter and sexual assault counseling center.
"Kathy Krajewiski (HAVEN's publicist) approached us about performing and after hearing about the cause, we couldn't turn her down," said Joe Billingslea Jr., the Contours' lead singer.
THE CONTOURS were one of the first acts signed by Motown record boss Berry Gordy Jr.
"Do You Love Me?," which established the group's trademark wild vocals, socking backbeat and fancy dance steps, remains the fastest rising Motown record to hit No. 1 on the pop-rock charts.
The Contours went through some personnel over the years, recorded other party singles (notably "First I Look at the Purse"), and ended up playing second fiddle to Motown's other vocal groups.
Said Billingslea: "All the (Motown) money was behind the Four Tops and The Temptations.
"We knew we could make it but we weren't pushed like the others. It was very aggravating, but we were told that music was a business like any other business," he recalled.
"We were given an opportunity at Motown and enjoyed some success but the company was getting so large that they just didn't give the proper attention to many of the groups ...including us," Billingslea said.
WHILE THE CONTOURS have remained a working act since 1959, all the group members now work day jobs while waiting for their second big break.
"Our lead vocalist, Martin 'Beanie' Upshire, and Charles Davis are painting contractors, C. Autry Hatcher works at the Ford Rouge plant, Sylvester Potts works for Cadillac," said Billingslea, who is a state corrections officer in addition to being a Contour.
Working closely with Jack Ryan's Solid Gold Talent, the group is approaching record labels in search of a contract and planning a fall tour of the Midwest with many current and former Motown artists.
At the HAVEN benefit, the Contours will be joined by Freddie "Boom Boom" Cannon, the Laredos, Gamut, Hound Dog Elvis, the Del Vikings, Bonnie and the Working Girls and Jeff and the Atlantics.
"All I ever wanted to do was sing and make people happy," Billingslea said. "I just know we're going to make it big again. Our vocals are just as strong and our steps are deadly as ever."
August 29, 1985
BY GARY LICHTMAN
Free Press Special Writer
The Contours, who rocketed to the top of the charts in the early 1960s by asking the musical question, "Do You Love Me?," are trying to find their way back.
They hope to take a step up the ladder on Sept. 8 as one of the featured acts at the "World's Largest Class Reunion," a benefit being staged at the Troy Hilton for HAVEN, Oakland County's domestic violence shelter and sexual assault counseling center.
"Kathy Krajewiski (HAVEN's publicist) approached us about performing and after hearing about the cause, we couldn't turn her down," said Joe Billingslea Jr., the Contours' lead singer.
THE CONTOURS were one of the first acts signed by Motown record boss Berry Gordy Jr.
"Do You Love Me?," which established the group's trademark wild vocals, socking backbeat and fancy dance steps, remains the fastest rising Motown record to hit No. 1 on the pop-rock charts.
The Contours went through some personnel over the years, recorded other party singles (notably "First I Look at the Purse"), and ended up playing second fiddle to Motown's other vocal groups.
Said Billingslea: "All the (Motown) money was behind the Four Tops and The Temptations.
"We knew we could make it but we weren't pushed like the others. It was very aggravating, but we were told that music was a business like any other business," he recalled.
"We were given an opportunity at Motown and enjoyed some success but the company was getting so large that they just didn't give the proper attention to many of the groups ...including us," Billingslea said.
WHILE THE CONTOURS have remained a working act since 1959, all the group members now work day jobs while waiting for their second big break.
"Our lead vocalist, Martin 'Beanie' Upshire, and Charles Davis are painting contractors, C. Autry Hatcher works at the Ford Rouge plant, Sylvester Potts works for Cadillac," said Billingslea, who is a state corrections officer in addition to being a Contour.
Working closely with Jack Ryan's Solid Gold Talent, the group is approaching record labels in search of a contract and planning a fall tour of the Midwest with many current and former Motown artists.
At the HAVEN benefit, the Contours will be joined by Freddie "Boom Boom" Cannon, the Laredos, Gamut, Hound Dog Elvis, the Del Vikings, Bonnie and the Working Girls and Jeff and the Atlantics.
"All I ever wanted to do was sing and make people happy," Billingslea said. "I just know we're going to make it big again. Our vocals are just as strong and our steps are deadly as ever."
