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Detroit’s Theron Hill
Spotlight Performance
After reviewing the 5 W’s of the city’s show whirl (who’s in
town, what sort of set, when appearing, where performing,
and why go see it?), many would-be nightclub patrons bypass
the drudgery of seeking entertainment and settle for viewing
most of their favourite performers on a 21 inch screen.
Although Detroit does not present the most extensive
range of activity, it does offer a considerable amount of
good talent; the rising young potential, those content with
making the grade at home, the gifted who somehow have missed
the breaks, and those who were once great and have since
faltered. They’re all here, basking in a local spotlight.
This is the first of a series
by Rita Griffin.
If you happen to catch singer Theron Hill backstage before
show time, deep in thought, head bowed, with just the
slightest bit of lip movement apparent, he’s not going over
the lines of a new tune – he’s uttering a prayer.
Theron Hill
“This has long been a part of me,” he disclosed. “Before
each act I’ve always prayed to perform as a gentleman to the
best of my ability.”
Such a policy is not to be taken lightly for Theron (T-Man)
has often been referred to as “the gentleman of song.” And
because he has never been exposed as to formal training,
with the exception of the Miller High School glee club, he
considers his talent to be a gift.
Being gifted is only the first step to success, however, if
one is minus a manager or booking agent. Yet, if it takes a
good singer to sell himself to the public, Hill has managed
to do this to club owners and patrons of the finest niteries
in the Motor City.
A native Detroiter, T-Man’s entrance to show business began
at amateur shows at the old Paradise Theater. It was
there he met and later teamed up with the vocal group, the
Royal Joker, when graduating from high school.
The group toured the country together for numerous concert
appearances and nightclub engagements while, at the same
time, experiencing several hit recordings.
Then on impulse in 1958, after performing as lead vocalist
for the group for some years, Hill departed from the Royal
Jokers.
“The break was not due to controversy,” Theron asserted,
“The fellows were a close knit group and we had a great deal
of fun, but I decided it was time to settle down.”
cont. column 2
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Exotic dancers were a regular feature in Sixties Detroit.
Above is a great photograph of one of them, Miyoshi Starr.
from column 1
His venture as a lone artist was short lived, while
replacing one of the Four Tops while a vocal member was in
the service. It was during the two year stint with the Tops
that T-Man discovered what was to be his niche in the
entertainment profession. In addition, the style of the late
Jesse Belvin, proved to be ample inspiration.
“The Tops are a smooth and polished group and Jesse had
remarkable breath control, perfect phrasing and beautiful
diction. My first show as a single, which was performed in
’62 at the 20 Grand, contained the entire album of
Belvin’s ‘Mr Easy’.”
In addition to engagements at the 20 Grand, where he
is currently appearing with featured artist Maxine Brown,
and comic Sandman Howard, Hill has performed at the now
defunct Flame Show Bar and the Alamo Supper Club.
That he is his own manager, booking agent, voice coach and
arranger, hinders the singer at times, but it never
discourages him.
“I’ve been approached by agents, record firms, and the like,
many times” he said, “but I’m looking for someone interested
in bettering two careers…. theirs and mine.”
Until then, Hill practices alone with the aid of a tape
recorder, listens for new material (he’d like to eventually
try a musical production), keeps an up to date professional
wardrobe, and listens out for the telephone.
Downbeat Cites Wes Montgomery At Drome Bar
Wes Montgomery, poll winning guitarist, will be presented
with a plaque by a representative of Downbeat magazine at
the Drome Bar, Dexter at Leslie, Wednesday night
between 10 and 11.
Montgomery recognised as one of the world’s greatest
guitarists, has been appearing at the popular Dexter Avenue
night spot and has been held over until December 8.
Curvaceous exotic dancer
Miyoshi will headline the big live show when Marracci Temple
Drum and Bugle Corps presents their eighth annual
anniversary dance Saturday December 14th at Prince Hall,
3500 McDougall.
McCrary Flower Shop, 316 Visger; Marion (Doc) Cheatham WA
8-7989; Jerome Hoffman Tele: 4-3166; or the Shrine Mosque,
3101 McDougall. Everyone who likes a good time is invited to
attend.
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You Should’a Been There
By Jim Cleaver
You should’a been at the 20 Grand Thanksgiving nite.
It was one of those rare things which will only happen once
in a lifetime.
The Dells, a group of singers from Chicago, were here for
one night only and what a show they put on. Working out of
the Hi-Lo bag, the harmony they have is fantastic and one is
inclined to wonder why they have not made the big time
before now.
As a chaser, they used the voice of the lovely Liz Lands,
and the combination is just “out of sight”. Sandman Howard,
Toni Leslie and Theron (T-Man) Hill finished out the bill on
an already terrific show.
All too little is said about the supporting acts on a show.
The public is inclined to see the entire show and talk about
the main attraction and never once give a thought about the
acts that helped bring on the main performer. This is
definitely unfair to the other acts on the bill.
Sandman Howard and Toni Leslie did a tremendous job behind
the illustrious Johnny Hartman and prior to now, not a word
has been mentioned.
Some of the blame could be attributed to this column, but we
are not willing to accept all the blame, and will not do so.
Fosters Other Room
is the scene for a rather unusual show on the weekend now.
The meditation Singers have been appearing there and drawing
a large crowd. This is unusual in the sense that while some
people wouldn’t set their foot inside a church to hear a
gospel group, they’d pay a cover charge to see them in a
night club.
But the big thing about this is that the group is good and
seems to be sincere. This column talked with Laura Rundless,
one of the singers with the group and we came away with the
impression that there is no foolishness in the group so far
as religion is goes.
We are looking forward to the festivities we know will be
going on at Carroll Evans Sugar Hill Bar. It’s always
swinging during the holiday season.
The “Night People” are beginning to get over the death of
the President, and the clubs are starting to swing again and
really You Should’a Been There.Dillard
Fans Jam Frolic Bar
Norman Dillard is going strong at the Frolic Show Bar
and fans are packing the house every night. Just a few
nights ago, a couple of young ladies wanted a souvenir to
show they had seen and heard the organist Norman Dillard.
To satisfy their wants they went outside and pulled down the
signs from the front of the club…..almost fighting over the
torn parts.
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