Fair enough, but at that time, to go to #45 here in England was pretty respectable for him. I used to buy Blues & Soul magazine every week to check the charts, and saw the steady decline in his sales over the years. The jocks here were playing this to death. They loved it! He was just going out of fashion at that time. The black market was switching to electro and hip-hop at that time.
Funny story: I went backstage in 1980 when he played Bond Disco in NYC, standing only, 3,000 people. He was very friendly, as he was the other time I was backstage at Club 57 that same year, until I mentioned that he should have put out 'Funky Men' as a single instead of 'Stay With m e' (or something like that). He got real serious and said, "well, we have to get ready for the show", like he thought I had the audacity to tell him what to do! lol!
Hey, don't sweat it Paul. He once told Ray Charles to mind his own business after Ray advised him to change the order he performs his songs on stage! At least he took your advice though!
Funny thing is, even the white radio stations in Britain never really forsook him. This was not a BIG hit here in the UK, but it did chart. I think it went to somewhere around #45 on our R&B chart.
the only videos you can watch without reading petty arguments in the comments. just information and kudos. the power of funk!
lawndog6794 1 month ago
Going to #45 r&b means he hardly got any airplay. I think it's horrible the way blsck people black radio left him high and dry. Thankless idiots.
PaulDA2000 1 year ago
@PaulDA2000
Fair enough, but at that time, to go to #45 here in England was pretty respectable for him. I used to buy Blues & Soul magazine every week to check the charts, and saw the steady decline in his sales over the years. The jocks here were playing this to death. They loved it! He was just going out of fashion at that time. The black market was switching to electro and hip-hop at that time.
IkeDyson71 1 year ago
I did meet him a few other times after some concerts so all was well.
PaulDA2000 1 year ago
Funny story: I went backstage in 1980 when he played Bond Disco in NYC, standing only, 3,000 people. He was very friendly, as he was the other time I was backstage at Club 57 that same year, until I mentioned that he should have put out 'Funky Men' as a single instead of 'Stay With m e' (or something like that). He got real serious and said, "well, we have to get ready for the show", like he thought I had the audacity to tell him what to do! lol!
PaulDA2000 1 year ago
@PaulDA2000
Hey, don't sweat it Paul. He once told Ray Charles to mind his own business after Ray advised him to change the order he performs his songs on stage! At least he took your advice though!
IkeDyson71 1 year ago
@PaulDA2000
Was "Funky Men" put out as a 45 in the States? It was put out as a single in the UK.
IkeDyson71 1 year ago
@IkeDyson71 - Yes it was put out, but of course it went nowhere because by that time black radio had forsaken him almost entirely.
PaulDA2000 1 year ago
@PaulDA2000
Funny thing is, even the white radio stations in Britain never really forsook him. This was not a BIG hit here in the UK, but it did chart. I think it went to somewhere around #45 on our R&B chart.
IkeDyson71 1 year ago