A Woman Like Me Page 21
“Ball of Confusion,” 101
Ballard, Hank, 106
Bar-Kays, 95
Barksdale, Chuck, 61
Barnes, Ortheia, 129
Basie, Count, 86, 153–54, 223
Beatles, 135, 185, 233
Beauty, and race, 10
“Before I Even Knew Your Name (I Needed You),” 168
“Before the Money Came,” 225–27
“Behind Closed Doors,” 132, 135
Bell, Al, 162
Bell, Thom, 137–38
Benjamin, Benny, 50
Benton, Brook, 68, 202
Berklee College of Music, 165
Berlin, Irving, 97
“Big Girls Don’t Cry,” 30
Big Maybelle, 26, 56, 141
Big Wheel (record label), 85
Billington, Scott, 211
Black Bottom (Detroit entertainment district), 20–27. See also Motown Records
Black Panthers, 93
“Blackbird,” 233
Bland, Bobby “Blue,” 15, 97, 135, 136–37, 215
Blue Express (record label), 208–11
Blues Estafette, 205
Blues Foundation (Memphis), 215
Blues & Soul (magazine), 187
Bolic Sounds (studio), 119–20
Bon Jovi, Jon, 231
Book-Cadillac Hotel (Detroit), 175, 176, 177
Booker T and the MG’s, 30
Bradford, Janie, 233
Bradford, Sister (schoolteacher), 12
Bridges, Alicia, 156, 157
Broadnax, Morris, 82, 85, 138
“Broken Hearted Melody,” 68
Brown, James, 63–64, 92
Brown, Johnny, 182
Brown, Maxine, 32
Brown, Ruth, 25, 27
Bubbling Brown Sugar (stage show), 147–48, 149–54, 155, 156, 160, 161, 162, 163–64, 182
Buckingham, Steve, 156, 157–58, 166–67, 168, 177–78, 222
Buie, Buddy, 156–57
Burke, Solomon, 27, 43, 125–28, 129, 219
Bush, George H. W., 197
Butler, Jerry, 32
“Bye Bye Baby,” 24
Café Carlyle (New York), 234–35
Calla Records, 59, 73, 77, 106, 137
Calloway, Cab, 150, 151–54, 163–64
Cameron, G. C., 137, 234
“Candy,” 56
Capitols, 97
Card, Mary, 182, 183–84
Carter, Clarence, 105
Chandler, Gene, 133–35, 217
“Change Is Gonna Come, A,” 231
Change Is Gonna Come Sessions (LaVette), 231
Channing, Carol, 151
Charles, Ray, 27, 43, 87–88, 126, 136, 185
Child of the Seventies (LaVette), 110–14, 205–6
Chit Chat Lounge (Detroit), 80
“Choices,” 229
“Christmas Song, The,” 198
Christy, June, 88, 135
Clinton, Bill, 197
Clinton, George, 100–101
“Cloud Nine,” 101
Coasters, 13, 27
Coats, Randall James (BLV’s grandson), 184, 235
“Cold Sweat,” 92
Cole, Nat King, 30, 87
Coles, Charles “Honi,” 150–52
Columbia Records, 68, 109, 131–32
“Come and Get These Memories,” 43
Como, Perry, 58
Contours, 30, 188, 198
Cooder, Ry, 218, 219
Cooke, Sam, 202, 231
“Cool Jerk,” 97
Cooley, Mike, 223
Copacabana, 150
Cosby, Clarence, 43
Cosby, Hank, 43, 82, 92
Cotton Club, 151
Cray, Robert, 208, 210, 213
Creason, Sammy, 104
Criterion Studios, 104
Cryner, Bobbie, 220
Curtis, King, 76, 94
Daltrey, Roger, 230
Dameron, Tadd, 96
“Dance with Me, Henry,” 13
“Danger, Heartbreak Dead Ahead,” 189
Darin, Bobby, 15, 58
David (New York drug dealer), 141–43
Davis, Bette, 235
Davis, Clive, 168
Davis, Don, 37
de Mille, Agnes, 151
Dees, Sam, 168
Dells, 60, 61
Desmond, Johnny, 2
Detroit riots (1967), 93
Diamonettes, 24
Dickinson, Jim, 103, 104
Diddley, Bo, 15
Dixie Flyers, 104
Dixie Hummingbirds, 6
Dixon, Luther, 58–59, 76
“Do You Love Me,” 30
“Do Your Duty,” 106
Dr. John (Mac Rebennack), 121–22
“Doin’ the Best That I Can,” 155–56, 157
Domino, Fats, 15
“Don’t Go to Strangers,” 21
“Don’t Knock My Love,” 110
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” 233
“Don’t Make Me Over,” 53
Dorff, Steve, 168
Drayton, Leslie, 119
Drifters, 14, 27, 43, 53
Drive-By Truckers, 223–27
Drugs: and “high life,” 142; in high school, 20; and recording sessions, 104, 120, 121, 122; and success in business, 134, 135; undermining of performers by, 56–57, 189, 196
D-Town (record label), 95–96
“Duke of Earl,” 134
Dunbar, Ron, 132
Dunham, Katherine, 176
Dushon, Jean, 149
Early, Marrie, 33–36, 42, 69–70, 92, 132–33, 173–74, 200–202
Earth, Wind & Fire, 132
Ed Sullivan Show, The, 60
Edwards, Dennis, 101, 188
Edwards, Esther Gordy, 99, 115
Edwards, George, 99
Ellington, Adolph, 131
Ellington, Duke, 153, 154
Epic Records, 132, 135
Ernesta, Mother (schoolteacher), 11–13, 16
Ertegun, Ahmet, 53, 97–98, 109, 110, 112, 122–23, 147
Evans, Dale, 31
Fabulous Playboys, 37
Fair, Yvonne, 63, 64
Falcons, 37
FAME (label/studios), 104, 224–27
Fears, Clifford, 176–77
“Fingertips,” 43
Fitzgerald, Ella, 86, 88
Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, 6
Five Dollars, 41
“5” Royales, 40
Flame (Detroit club), 20
Floyd, Eddie, 37
“For Your Love,” 120
Ford, Dee Dee, 55, 56, 59–60, 70
“Fortune Teller,” 111
Four Seasons, 30
Four Tops, 49, 150, 188
Foxx, Charlie, 58
Foxx, Inez, 58
Foxx, Redd, 32, 65, 202
Franklin, Aretha, 44, 45–46, 57, 67–69, 82, 91–92, 103–4, 106, 109, 131, 138, 191, 227, 230, 232
Franklin, Reverend C. L. (Aretha’s father), 45, 99
Franklin, Carolyn, 68
Franklin, Cecil, 68
Franklin, Erma, 57, 68
Freeland, David, 235
Freeman, Charlie, 103, 104
Fun Company, The, 146
Funkadelic, 101
Funk Brothers, 50, 95
“Funky Broadway,” 92
Fuqua, Harvey, 40, 121
Gamble, Kenneth, 109–10, 131, 138, 162
“Games People Play,” 106
Gardner, Don, 55, 60, 70, 74, 76, 147, 237
Gardner, Eric, 233
Garland, Judy, 88
Gaye, Marvin, 1, 30, 36–37, 40, 43, 60–61, 64, 65, 73, 81, 85, 92, 97, 99–100, 109, 116, 120–21, 176, 196, 232
Gaynor, Gloria, 155
Geller, Arnie, 156–57
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (stage show), 151
Gentry, Bobbie, 105
“Georgia on My Mind,” 87, 136
Gershwin, George, 232
“Get Away,” 97
“Ghetto Child,” 137
Gillespie, Dizzy, 97
“Giving Up,” 161
Gladys Knight & the Pips, 92
“God Bless the Child,” 150
Goddard, John, 214
Godin, David, 187
“Good Rockin’ Daddy,” 13
Gordy, Anna, 40, 81, 99–100
Gordy, Berry, 21, 26, 40, 49, 60, 81, 82, 83–84, 96, 115, 116, 131, 150, 167, 170, 182, 186–87, 188, 233, 234
Gordy, Esther. See Edwards, Esther Gordy
Gordy, Gwen, 40, 99
Gordy, Loucye, 99
Gordy, Ray, 83–84
Gospel Truth, The (stage show), 181–84
“Got to Give It Up,” 176
Grammy Awards, 138, 176, 208, 219, 221–22, 227
Grand Ole Opry, 7
Grass, Randall, 203–4, 207–8
Graystone Ballroom, 21, 22, 23, 24, 135, 194
Green, Al, 129, 137
“Green Onions,” 30
Greenberg, Florence, 58, 59
Greenberg, Jerry, 112, 123
Griffin, Herman, 49, 50, 51
Groupie/singers, 63–65, 66
Hall, Rick, 104, 227
Hammond, John, 91
Hampton, Lionel, 86, 87
Hankerson, Barry, 176
Hanks, Mike, 95–96, 97
“Happiness Will Only Cost You One Thin Dime,” 59
Harlem Renaissance, 149
“Harper Valley P.T.A.,” 103
Harrison, George, 233
Haskins, Betty (BLV’s half-sister), 6
Haskins, Betty Jo. See LaVette, Bettye
Haskins, Frank James (BLV’s father), 200; and alcohol, 5, 8–9, 10, 29–30; business of, 5–6, 7; courtship of, 6; death of, 5, 14–15, 19, 47; domestic life of, 7–8, 9, 29–30
Haskins, Pearlina Johnson (BLV’s mother), 74, 93, 117, 146, 175, 184; admiration for McPhatter, 29–30, 31; and alcohol, 5, 6, 8–9, 10, 29–30, 198–99; and BLV’s first pregnancy, 15–16; and BLV’s musical career, 21, 37, 79, 112, 113, 129–30, 198; and BLV’s schooling, 11, 13; business of, 5–6, 7; care for Terrye Mathis, 16, 21, 37–38, 51, 159, 160; courtship of, 6; death of, 200; domestic life of, 7–8, 9, 29–30; health problems of, 199–200; relationship with BLV, 15, 159, 181, 200
Have a Heart (LaVette), 189–90
“Have You Tried Jesus,” 177
Hayes, Isaac, 120
HBO (Home Box Office), 231
“He Made a Woman Outta Me,” 105, 218
“Heart of Gold,” 109, 110
“Heat Wave,” 43
Heaven (London disco), 186
Helen (J’s main hooker), 75, 76
“Hello Stranger,” 97
“Hello Sunshine,” 106
Hendrix, Jimi, 101
Henley, Don, 224
Henry, Clarence “Frogman,” 30
Henry, Joe, 219–20, 221
Herman, Woody, 97
Heroes and Legends Banquet, 233–34
“Hitch Hike,” 36–37, 40
Hodge, Robert, 185–86, 190, 195–96, 197, 198, 206, 208, 210, 216–17, 235
Holiday, Billie, 80, 86, 88, 136
Holland, Brian, 81–82
Holland, Sharon, 81–82
Holland-Dozier-Holland (songwriters), 81, 83
Holliday, Jennifer, 183, 184
Holloway, Brenda, 188
Hollowell, Alton (Bart), 37, 49–50, 51–52
Hollywood Bowl, 233
Hood, David, 223, 225
Hood, Patterson, 223, 224–27
Huff, Leon, 109–10, 131, 138, 162
Hunter, Janis, 120, 121
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, 162, 163, 165, 171, 174
“I Can’t Get Next to You,” 101
“I Can’t Stop Loving You,” 87
“I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got,” 220–21, 234
“I Don’t Want to Suffer,” 46
“I Found You,” 63
“I Got a Woman,” 87
“I Got You (I Feel Good),” 63
“I Guess We Shouldn’t Talk About That Now,” 224
“I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” 92, 168
“I Love the Nightlife,” 156
“I Need Your Lovin’,” 55
“I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” 91, 106
“(I Wanna) Testify,” 100
“I Was Made to Love Her,” 82, 92, 189
“I Will Survive,” 155
“I Wish You Love,” 88
“If I Were Your Woman,” 168
“If You Could See Me Now,” 96–97
“I’m a Hog for You,” 13
“I’m Holding On,” 85
“I’m Just a Fool for You,” 77
“I’m Ready for Love,” 189
“(In My) Solitude,” 150
In the Right Place (Dr. John), 121–22
“Inner City Blues,” 116
Institute for Sexual Intercourse, 123–25
Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook (LaVette), 231–33
“Is That All There Is,” 154
“Isn’t It a Pity,” 233
“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” 61
“I’ve Got a Crush on You,” 85
I’ve Got My Own Hell to Raise (LaVette), 218–22
J (aka Mr. Wonderful; pimp), 1–3, 73–77
Jack (New York restaurant owner and drug dealer), 141–45
Jackson, Chuck, 32
Jackson, Deon, 97
Jackson, Jesse, 197
Jackson, Millie, 123
Jackson, Pervis, 228
Jackson, Walter, 46, 138
Jackson, Wayne, 104
Jacksons, 131
Jamerson, James, 50
James (BLV’s grandson). See Coats, Randall James
James, Etta, 13, 21, 26, 57–58, 105, 135, 191, 215
Jet (magazine), 34, 51, 55
“Jimmy Mack,” 92, 189
John, Elton, 224, 227, 233
John, Little Willie, 22, 32–33, 202
Johno (pimp), 22
Johnson, Marv, 188
Johnson, Pearlina. See Haskins, Pearlina Johnson
Jones, George, 229
Jones, Grace, 205
Jones, Jimmy, 131
Jones, Willie, 22–23, 26
“Joy,” 220
Joy, Jimmy, 44
“Just One Look,” 67
“Just Say So,” 220
Kappus, Mike, 213–14, 215, 218, 233
Karen (record label), 97–98
Kaulkin, Andrew, 218–19, 220, 221, 223–24, 227, 231, 233, 235
Kendricks, Eddie, 188, 196, 232
Kennedy Center Honors, 229–31
Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, 101
Khan, Chaka, 161
Kiley, Kevin, 206–7, 215–18, 220, 222, 224, 225, 229, 231, 232
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nbsp; King, B. B., 20
King, Ben E., 30, 31, 53
King, Martin Luther, Jr., 93
Kitt, Eartha, 234
Knight, Gladys, 137, 232
Knight Beat (Miami club), 32–34
Knowles, Beyoncé, 230
Kocian, Frank, 54–55, 59, 76, 84–85
Kramer and Kramer agency, 169, 170
Kristofferson, Kris, 104
Labelle, Patti, 139
“Lady Marmalade,” 139
“Last Dance,” 155
LaVette, Bettye: alcohol as influence on, 5–6, 8–9, 10; and Aretha Franklin, 67–69; attitude toward childhood, 11; attitude toward religion, 2, 93, 126–27, 176, 177, 182, 183, 236; attitude toward sexuality, 13–14, 19, 34–36, 42, 65, 66, 133, 134–35, 144–45, 236; birth of, 6–7; cancelled/delayed recordings of, 110–14, 156–58, 205; charted records of, 30, 60, 105; closeness with sister, 9–10, 159–61; cutting first record, 26–27; and death of father, 14–15, 19, 47; and death of sister, 160, 161, 180; in Detroit clubs, 23–24, 41, 44, 50, 89, 95, 97, 116, 117, 135, 145–47, 185–86, 200; and disco, 155–56, 161; and drugs, 20, 56–57, 65, 66, 67, 68, 122, 134, 135, 142, 145, 184, 196, 235–36; entrée into music business, 20–27; European release of Atlantic material of, 205–6; experience with prostitution, 1–3, 75–77; family life of, 5–10, 29–30, 129–30, 184, 198–200; fear of failure, 135–36; financial difficulties of, 50, 73, 119, 122–23, 214; first album of, 166–70, 175, 177, 188; first boyfriend, 14, 15; first pregnancy and marriage, 15–16, 19; as groupie/singer, 63–65; health problems of, 22; image-consciousness of, 57–58, 193; with independent labels, 187–90, 203–4, 205, 207–11, 218–22, 223–27, 231–33; “investors” in, 41, 185–86; Jim Lewis as mentor of, 79–80, 82–83, 85–90, 94, 150, 179–80, 237; at Kennedy Center, 229–31; learning tap dancing, 147–48, 149–50; leaving Atlantic Records, 53–54, 58, 61; lesbian experiences of, 65–67, 144; loss of virginity of, 13–14; management of career of, 37, 49–51, 54–55, 59, 96–97, 101–3, 114–15, 129, 132, 135, 145–46, 176–77, 190, 195–96, 198, 206, 213–14, 215, 217, 218, 229; marriage to Kiley, 218, 222, 232; marriage to Sadler, 162–65, 166, 171, 173–75, 178–79; mentoring of schoolgirls by, 193–95; move to Los Angeles, 118, 119; move to New York (1964), 51–53; music as vocation of, 17, 21–22, 37–38, 80, 236–37; in music videos, 227–28, 229, 231; musical education of, 85–90, 94, 136–37, 154, 180; in New York clubs, 55–56, 70, 73, 94, 155–56, 234–35; and Northern Soul revival, 187–91; partying with drug dealers, 141–45; political activities of, 196–97; and racism, 165–66; recording sessions of, 26–27, 37, 58–60, 97–98, 103–6, 109, 111–12, 119–20, 132, 155, 157, 168, 177, 189, 209–10, 219–21, 224–27; recording with Marvin Gaye, 121; relationship with Clarence Paul, 1–2, 39–44, 50, 69–70, 74, 82–83, 84–85, 94, 138, 175; relationship with mother, 15, 159, 181, 200; relationships with pimps, 22, 44–45, 67–69, 73–77; schooling of, 11–13, 16–17, 19–20; singing for advertising, 114–15; singing talent of, 12–13, 24; slumps in music career, 49–50, 73, 91, 92, 129–30, 135, 137–39, 181, 184–86, 198; taking stage name, 24; television appearances, 60, 197–98, 231; theatrical engagements, 147–48, 149–54, 161, 162–64, 176–77, 181–84; touring by, 30–34, 126–28, 138, 159–60, 190–91, 205, 215, 235; work at sex clinic, 123–25