Andre, Gino, Nathaniel and Nolan
A tribute to four R&B legends from Detroit who started recording in the 50's and 60's and continue to inspire generations of garage rockers.
Andre Williams, aka "Mr. Rhythm" aka "The Black Godfather" aka a man who "makes Little Richard look like Pat Boone," scored his first hit for the Fortune label in 1956 with "Bacon Fat." He still performs occasionally at the age of 77, and has recorded with bands like The Dirtbombs, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Cheater Slicks.
Gino Washington was a teen heartthrob in Detroit who played with a white band, The Atlantics, and was known for his dynamic stage presence. He had two local hits in 1963 and `64 ("Out of This World" and "Gino is a Coward"), and went on to host a TV variety show in Detroit. Gino is still around, and sometimes performs live.
Nathaniel Mayer had a 1962 hit song "Village of Love" on the Fortune label and recorded a slew of killer R&B tunes between then and 1966. He then returned to music in the early aughts, touring with groups like The Black Keys, and recording for Fat Possum. Mayer died in 2008 shortly after touring Europe.
Nolan Strong was the first break-out star for Fortune in the mid-50s, and his sweet soul vocals were considered an influence on later Motown artists, including Smokey Robinson, who cited Strong and his group The Diablos as one of his favorites. Strong died in 1977.
Andre Williams- Hey Country Girl
Nolan Strong- My Heart Will Always Belong to You
Gino Washington- Out of This World
Nathaniel Mayer- Lover Please
TALK (Over "Dead End" by The Executioners)
Andre Williams- Bacon Fat
Andre Williams- I'm Going Down to Tijuana
Nolan Strong & The Diablos- Try Me One More Time
Nolan Strong & The Diablos- Do You Remember What You Did?
Nathaniel Mayer & His Fabulous Twilights- My Little Darling
Nathaniel Mayer & His Fabulous Twilights- My Lonely Island
Gino Washington- Now You're Lonely
Gino Washington- Rat Race
Andre Williams and the Don Juans- Pulling Time
TALK (Over "Mr. Ghost Goes to Town" by John Buzon Trio)
Andre Williams- Pussy Stank
Andre Williams (feat. The Dirtbombs)- Whatcha Gonna Do?
Andre Williams- Agile, Mobile & Hostile
Nolan Strong & The Diablos- Mind Over Matter
Nathaniel Mayer & His Fabulous Twilights- Village of Love
Nathaniel Mayer & His Fabulous Twilights- Leave Me Alone
Gino Washington- Gino is a Coward
Gino Washington- Come Monkey with Me
TALK (Over "Dead End" By The Executioners)
Andre Williams- Humpin' Bumpin' & Thumpin'
Andre Williams- Sweet Little Pussycat
Nathaniel Mayer- I Don't Want No Bald Head Woman Telling Me What to Do
Nathaniel Mayer with the Fortune Braves- I Want Love and Affection (Not the House of Correction)
Gino Washington- Singing in the Rain
Gino Washington- Around the Town
Nolan Strong & the Diablos- The Wind
Gino Washington- Puppet on a String
TALK
Andre Williams & His New Group- Mean Jean
Andre Williams & His New Group- You Are My Sunshine
Andre Williams & The Don Juans- The Greasy Chicken
Andre Williams- You Got It and I Want It
Andre Williams- I Wanna Be Your Favorite Pair of Pajamas
Andre Williams- Bonin'
Bettye Lavette, Andre Williams & Nathaniel Mayer- Night Time is the Right Time