Thanks for the input, Neggytive! I am Shelly and Bob and Linda from the original Shades were my parents! Bob passed away 4 years ago. Linda is now retired, remarried and living in Northern Michigan and still keeps in touch with Ernie and Nick (the original lead singer and singing in the new Shades version in the video above). My aunt ran into the "new" Shades at some sort of outdoor concert and was told that Nick has left this version and moved on to other projects as well...as of last summer
ShellyBean1966 - Thanks for the info and I am so very happy that your Mom is alive and doing well! By the way, I picked up from oldies.com the Shades of Blue compilation cd and it sounds great! My next favorite tune after Oh How Happy is Happiness which should have been just as big of a hit as Oh How Happy! Anyway, take care of yourself and God Bless!
It must be very nice to be many years older than when you first recorded this record and yet still nail the vocals including all the high parts. Superbly done.
The pride of Livonia, MI, as were the Reflections of "Just Like Romeo and Juliet" fame. There weren't many Detroit-area groups making it big on the west side, but Livonia had two of the best even though it was pretty rustic back then.
I am the first-call substitute sax player for the back-up band that does them, the Contours, The Marvolettes, etc.and I did a gig with the Shades of Blue near Youngstown, OH. When they walked on stage for their sound check I too said: "Holy shit, you're white! I guess they were the first white group to be signed to Motown. They were great to work with. .
It is remarkable how a sweet ballad like this could have become such a big hit in 1966 when much of the music was rougher edged. I have heard this song played on an easy listening type of radio station recently in Inverness, FL.
@Kroozer, growing up, I too always thought a Black group sang this song, but never the less, I sat here listening and with the biggest smile on my face, totally enjoying and swaying with the music. Thank you for placing this recording here.
I have the lp on my wall. Heard this song on WNYH,1440 babylon NY. Thank you very much. Much better than watching a record spin on youtube.4 days before my b-day too.
OMG they got old like me LOL at least they can still sing,,,,,, the original group had a girl so these guys weren't in tact during this oldies tour but man Thanx for posting this I enjoyed it BIGTIME
Just wanted to say thank you for the very enjoyable performence you gave in Spring Hill Florida ( Sept.2012 ) I hope you will come to the Chic. area sometime soon Work on that would you Scotty ?? Thanks !!
Only the lead singer Nick Marinelli is from the originall Shades of Blue Bob Kerns has since passed away Linda Allen has since retired from show business.
Yes, the tempo ain't right, but the vocals are quite good (marred only by the bad tempo!). And so what if these guys are white? White people can't sing? Maybe if they had a white drummer it would've been played in the familiar tempo of which we are all accustomed. Touché!
Wow, aged like fine wine - better than ever.
Thanks for the input, Neggytive! I am Shelly and Bob and Linda from the original Shades were my parents! Bob passed away 4 years ago. Linda is now retired, remarried and living in Northern Michigan and still keeps in touch with Ernie and Nick (the original lead singer and singing in the new Shades version in the video above). My aunt ran into the "new" Shades at some sort of outdoor concert and was told that Nick has left this version and moved on to other projects as well...as of last summer
ShellyBean1966 - Thanks for the info and I am so very happy that your Mom is alive and doing well! By the way, I picked up from oldies.com the Shades of Blue compilation cd and it sounds great! My next favorite tune after Oh How Happy is Happiness which should have been just as big of a hit as Oh How Happy! Anyway, take care of yourself and God Bless!
It must be very nice to be many years older than when you first recorded this record and yet still nail the vocals including all the high parts.
Superbly done.
Tbird Tim Indeed
The pride of Livonia, MI, as were the Reflections of "Just Like Romeo and Juliet" fame. There weren't many Detroit-area groups making it big on the west side, but Livonia had two of the best even though it was pretty rustic back then.
I am the first-call substitute sax player for the back-up band that does them, the Contours, The Marvolettes, etc.and I did a gig with the Shades of Blue near Youngstown, OH. When they walked on stage for their sound check I too said: "Holy shit, you're white!
I guess they were the first white group to be signed to Motown.
They were great to work with. .
First white group on Motown were the Valadiers.
It is remarkable how a sweet ballad like this could have become such a big hit in 1966 when much of the music was rougher edged. I have heard this song played on an easy listening type of radio station recently in Inverness, FL.
Sing man. He sounds great! Loved this song when I was a kid.
Great 😃👍 Memories from 1966.
One of my all-time favorites! Nothing like it to lift my spirits!
Recently found out this was a White group but sounds sooo soulful. Loved this song in the '60's and still love it....
I just read somewhere that this was written by Edwin Starr so that might be why
Nick still got the goods as the lead singer and has a very soulful voice!
Even 40 plus years after, They still got it!
This was "our song"--my late husband and I in the 60s!
Still got it...After all these years together.....Shit hot....Classic.
@Kroozer, growing up, I too always thought a Black group sang this song, but never the less, I sat here listening and with the biggest smile on my face, totally enjoying and swaying with the music. Thank you for placing this recording here.
black song writer, edwin starr
Carlos (he's the tall one) is the newest member and we used to sing together in Detroit. Those were good days and, man, I miss him.
I have the lp on my wall. Heard this song on WNYH,1440 babylon NY. Thank you very much. Much better than watching a record spin on youtube.4 days before my b-day too.
Shades of Blue...Still a bad jam! All of you still sound great! Thanks.
David Buckwitz,Hazel Park,Michigan,USA.
OMG they got old like me LOL at least they can still sing,,,,,, the original group had a girl so these guys weren't in tact during this oldies tour but man Thanx for posting this I enjoyed it BIGTIME
CAMPIRE TALES ...brought me here ,awesome tune =)
The lead singer picked me up hitchhiking in Massachusetts in 1973.
Go Detroit! Well Livonia ! same difference. Go Shades of Blue.
Where is Linda Allen.? And is the Lityle guy to the left. . .Bob Kerns?
Always love this song.
Great harmonizing.
Linda is retired and remarried (Bob Kerrr was in the band and her husband) according to her daughter ShellyBean1966
These guys have it, had it, and always will! This is the SHIT!!!
Sounds great.
There a great group of guys on stage and off met them with my dear friend Little joe cook
Now that was impressive! They sound great. I was wondering what happened to the female member of the group.
fantastic TOOooN *****
J5 has nothing on them. This is that blue eyed soul. FTW!
@mrjoerocco YES that is indeed Nick Marinelli!
Blue eyes soul
Oh wow!
slow down i like it the original way great song
Just wanted to say thank you for the very enjoyable performence you gave in Spring Hill Florida ( Sept.2012 ) I hope you will come to the Chic. area sometime soon Work on that would you Scotty ?? Thanks !!
This chick is missing (from 1966) !
Only the lead singer Nick Marinelli is from the originall Shades of Blue Bob Kerns has since passed away Linda Allen has since retired from show business.
My friend flew out from Brooklyn to do a record show some years ago and Linda was there.
The y still sound very good.
Great song.
The original tempo is more appropriate.
When it is good, than it's good.
Don't speed it up.
her name is linda and until recently i worked with her in northern michigan
The song was penned by Edwin Starr for these Detroit natives.
hi,do you have "i'd be a millionaire" by s.o.blu please ,awsome group,still soundin good
What happened to his hair? Wheres the girl?
is this their only song? they seem not to exist otherwise.
not bad who would think is white boys singing soul music like this.
why are they rushing the temple??? Lay back boys, you still have the chomps!!!
Yes, the tempo ain't right, but the vocals are quite good (marred only by the bad tempo!). And so what if these guys are white? White people can't sing? Maybe if they had a white drummer it would've been played in the familiar tempo of which we are all accustomed. Touché!
@4threconmarine I thought the same thing
@MusikAndLuv Shitting hell! It does an'alll!
did you mean TEMPO?
i disliked it because they rushed the hell of it
hey white boys have souls aswell bro,see you in heaven.....
I thought they were a black group