 The author is a survivor from the early sixties when soul music first came to the attention of British fans, and he tells the story of how it came to be in this, his first music autobiography - “Really Sayin’ Something – Memoirs Of A Soul Survivor” published just recently by Bank House Books. It’s almost like reading through his diary, with his notes and observations about times, places and artists, with no stone left unturned. Easy to read and oh, so informative. You don’t need me to tell you that the book’s title of course has been borrowed from The Velvelettes’ timeless 1965 Motown hit “He Was Really Sayin’ Something”. So apt too using it here.
Now a presenter on the soul station Solar Radio and label manager of the well respected specialist re-issue label Shout! Records, Clive Richardson describes his recollections, including being an early member of the Tamla Motown Appreciation Society, run by the late Dave Godin, and organising a fan club for US soul singer Don Covay. He also writes about the time he was editing and publishing the soul fanzine “Shout” which lasted for several years, before contributing to the “Black Echoes” newspaper for ten years. From the printed word, Clive seamlessly moves to the music itself by attending R&B and soul concerts during the sixties and seventies, including the first Tamla Motown tour and the first Stax Records show over here, through to his involvement with pirate radio in the eighties, and being part of the launch roster of presenters on the first legal London soul radio station - Kiss 100FM in 1990.
The reader follows Clive’s passion for soul and R&B music from the moment it hit UK shores, as he covers its painfully slow emergence in the public arena. Everything is here and I have to say – with hand on heart – this is a terrific read which is hard to put down. Memories flood back with each line, but they’re mostly happy ones, because I was nearly there from the first footing. Clive just beat me! Over the years, I’ve learned a great deal from this man, who I’m proud to call my friend, and am thankful he’s now sharing his knowledge and personal pictures with everyone.
About the Writer
Sharon Davis ran the Four Tops fan club before spearheading Motown Ad Astra, catering for all the Motown acts, where she edited the in-house magazine TCB. Was publicist for Fantasy, Stax and Salsoul before joining Motown Records in London. Formed her own press/promotion company Eyes & Ears, worked for Blues & Soul magazine and website, and became a full time author and researcher. To date Sharon has written eleven books (her last A Girl Called Dusty published by Carlton Books) and she’s working on her next - Divas Of Motown. As a researcher, Sharon assisted Diana Ross with her autobiography Secrets Of A Sparrow, and is now in constant demand for her knowledge about Motown and its artists.
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