Emanuel Laskey had always maintained a close relationship with the Gaye family.

He had dated Anna Gordy in the early days, before she married Marvin, and had stayed with Marvin, with his brother Charles, in 1975.

Anna invited him to stay with her in 1978 in California, where he recorded several tracks at Robert Gordy’s Stone Diamond Productions facility in concert with Mel Bolton and Marvin himself.

Although previously unreleased, two of the tracks have recently been re mastered and made available commercially through Hayley Records in the UK. ‘(Put your name) In the hall of fame’ b/w ‘A different kind of different’ exhibit all the usual Laskey trademarks – impassioned, soulful vocals, poignant lyrics and clever arrangements.

These songs would prove to be his last recordings. An industrial accident, sustained on his return to Detroit, restricted his mobility and curtailed any possibility of strenuous activity.

This didn’t prevent him helping to found The Original Historical Musical Society of Detroit, with Frankie Garcia, in 1993. The organization was dedicated to aiding and assisting the many Detroit artists with royalty dues, performance opportunities, recording possibilities and unreleased material release.

In 1995 he produced a video intended to resurrect his career, and discussions took place to arrange some ‘live’ performances in England, although, for health reasons, these never materialized.

A book detailing his fascinating career was also discussed.

music: (Put Your Name) In The Hall Of Fame - Emanuel Laskey (Hayley 0013a)

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