SPOTLIGHT ON THE 70s/Interview with Butch Leake

Why the 70s? In my opinion was one of the great periods for music which
inspired the heart an soul. The songs that were written had great substance non
like to days music which consist of beats with no solid story line...

They are not producing any great songwriters like yesteryear. We were very fortunate
back then to have songwriters like Roger Greenway who in my opinion is one of the
best writers who came out of the period...

God only knows where the Drifters would have been if it wasn't for the Greenway
writing team. Greenway was a big fan of the Drifters. So a marriage was made in heaven
teaming up with Greenway Productions......

You might say I personally became a Greenway fan as far as the songs go....
So this is why I chose to cover some of those great songs which the group recorded.

You might ask do I have issues about the politics of that time, the answer to that is yes,
but I will stop short of being bitter. Those matters will be addressed most likely in time.

At this time life moves on, an yes I'm in control and prepared to deal with what ever
challenges come my way. So all of those out there who have any negative plans read
this line again......

Will you be returning to great Britain? Most definitely, England is like home to me
I lived there for many years. My former wife is buried there, an if for only that reason
I will visit.

I will be going there to lay the ground work for returning to the stage after completing
entertaining matters here in the US.

What of the the new Treadwell Drifter group over there now. Well! They do what they
do I do what i have to do.... Remember I am the only original member out of the Bell
Record group who is alive. Know one can erase that fact.

The rest of the members were replacements.........

In any respect I'm not trying to be the Drifters or a tribute act. The reality once a
Drifter the stigma is forever attached to you........ (CORNER TALK REPORT)

THE BELL SONGS/LEGACY OF THE 70s

For the many USA fans of The Drifters now is a good chance to
checkout an purchase the hit songs of the 70s featuring the Original
Bell Record group headed by the late Johnny Moore an featuring
Butch Leake, Bill Fredricks and Grant Kitchings.

All these timeless songs were written and produced by the the
legendary UK writer Roger Greenway / Roger Cook / Billy Davis
and Tony MaCauley.

There are also tracks written by Neil Diamond / Burt Bacharach & Hal David /
Pomus & shuman / Paul McCartney and Stephens.

The CD "The Drifters Now & Love Games feature both albums from the
early 70s with an insert booklet with history and pictures of the group.....

A must buy for Drifter buffs at Virgin Record Stores........ (CORNER TALK REPORT)

EXPLOITATION/TRUTH IN MUSIC

Someone asked me the other day aren't you to young to have been with
The Drifters and why are there so many drifter groups around?

Obvious they all could not have really been The Drifters or that of the original
group from the 50s.
Now of cost the answer to that is yes, but you must ask what period are you talking
about and which songs are you referring to. As there are many......
Songs like Steamboat and Money Honey, you have to leave to the early 50s era.
Yet some of the greatest songs of the group were in the latter 50s through 60s
into the 70s.

By the 70s the lineup had changed a few times, an over the years as many as fifty or
more members had entered to it's roster some more prominent that others.
There were those who were there for only one or two shows and then let go.

Many never made it to photo sessions, books and media in general.....

The 50s you didn't see black faces on album covers as that was taboo during the
racially charged period.

The question here why so many groups? The Drifters resemble the 70s group Menudo
in many respects with the ever changing lineup. The only difference Menudo
were young kids an only represented a certain age status with there fans which
were teen boppers. But the concept a method of exploitation....

The Drifters on the other hand much older yet the same concept exploitation...

Management not only represented the group but looked at itself as the group
with no distinction. Members were know more than payed employees with know
say so in there current future and were bound by there agreements with the
organization to be nothing after leaving.....

Yes there were exceptions like Ben E, King who went on to create a career of his own.

Out of all of this started the spiral of many groups with former members struggling
to survive in the music industry......as with so many other acts of the period.

It also created another industry of wannabe groups who's members had never had
any connection with the group and it's history at all....

The truth in music bill which has been circulating in the USA is a product of these
phony acts which are being produced.

But the real truth is the industry an it's federations really need to look at the root
causes of these problems an seek to lobby for legislation to protect artist from
such exploitation which everyone seems to turn a blind eye to. (CORNER TALK REPORT)

GENUINE HOPE by B. LEAKE

The senator from Arizona John McCain was recently
asked if Sen. Obama would make a good president.
His answer was absolutely....
But he thought he would make the better....

The reality is all these candidates are capable
of being President of The United States.

The question is who would be the best at this
time. McCains comments about Obama is a civil
gesture without all the negative bashing, non like
Hillary Clinton relentless tirades.

Weather he means it or not is a matter of his true heart.
Like racism is a matter of heart.

We are in a time when we need a change to the same
old Washington politics of the pass.

Obama in my opinion is the only candidate out of
the three that gives a genuine hope..... (CORNER TALK REPORT)

NUBITOONZ/SKATE RINK by B. Leake

Nubitoonz created by Butch Leake, is a new look on Urban Humor.
For your enjoyment go to ww.nubitoonz.com (CORNER TALK REPORT)

SKATERS ROAD N.Y.

The skating season was ushered in today with the annual
boogie down with the Central Park Dance Skaters Association N.Y.C.
held at 72nd street Central Park N.Y.

Today marked a dress rehearsal as the official date is on the 12th
of April this year.....

The weekly skating event which bounces every Sat, Sundays an
holidays straight to the end of October has become one of the
many attractions of things to do here in New York.

For more info go to www.cpdsa.org (CORNER TALK REPORT)