Unsung Shalamar - Part 6 "Quitting Shalamar - Griffey/The Aftermath" Jody Watley Unfiltered

[ssbahiy626]

Jody u rock........i knew something was up and i was young then......i love ur music ...and we still and do ur dance steps on soultrain on bounce ...

[roscoegino]

6:23 - 6:46 is golden. 

[roblettinVa]

Thanks for posting this.....

[berlynn2]

i remember being such a big fan of miss jody watley's that i went out and bought my first pair of large hoop ear ring's to this day i still love large hoop ear ring's because jody watley wear's them i'm still a big fan love ya jody.

[MrSexxxy20]

So did dick receive money from all of your records? An would he receive money from any other records that may put out today? I will never understand it, why didn't Dick just take Howard out of the group an make him solo an find another member to replace him lol. I mean it had already happen twice before. Last but not least did you an Steph. ever cross paths while Jeff was married to her? I assumed since he was rubbing it in your face he might have brought her around on purpose to start a fight

[1973cleopatrajones]

@MrSexxxy20 Miss Watley and Mills path did cross during those Solar days, but Stephanie's marriage to Daniel was never a straw strong enough to break Watley's Back, but the financial keepings of the company was definitely the demise of the group and Solar's destiny. Though Watley and Mills were never friends, they were never enemies, and though Jody never dated around, her list of male admirers was never cut short from the Jackson brothers, to Dustin Hoffman, everybody wanted some of Jody!

[MrSexxxy20]

@1973cleopatrajones wow interesting. Thanks for the insight. :-)

[jwatley1]

@MrSexxxy20 Dick Griffey, as I mentioned received money from my first album only - as a contingency for my breaching/breaking my Shalamar agreement, I would do it all again regardless of the bad business - we ALL live and learn. SMills was present at studio sessions and came on the road, yes. I mentioned that in my Unsung interview and included it in Unfiltered (Part Three?), there was a lot of rubbing things in faces perhaps to start fights lol - Thanks.

[MsTexas73]

@jwatley1 Griffey knew your worth basically and just refused to do what should have been done to begin with. I don't blame you from walking away. I would have too. And look who prevailed. Just sayin. Can't wait for the new album.

[davidjrhd]

Ms. watley must be a very strong woman to stick to her guns and refuse to do a reunion. though i would love to see it, I admire that she does not. don't know about everyone else, but she was always the focal point for me, visually and vocally

[davidjrhd]

I too wondered y stephanie mills wasn't mentioned. not to be a muckraker, but I thought she was married to jeffrey and that there was some abuse there. These unsung episodes gloss over so much they do a disservice to true fans

[MamaNuveau]

I'm all for "not forgetting where you came from" and all, but just how long was Jody supposed to work for the man and not get paid? Pimping indeed! That's the best word for what he did to her. He was obviously a big chauvinist who had much disdain for women in general. He NEEDED women (apparently 2 of them to be in that original Shalamr Soul Train group), but didn't want to respect them and give them their just dues. He hated the fact that she succeeded in SPITE of his poor treatment of her.

[Majorjoy6565]

Love U Jody oxox

[jwatley1]

@Majorjoy6565 Thank you!

[eric2181965]

Hey Jody, What was your relationship with Producer Leon Sylvers III?

[1973cleopatrajones]

@eric2181965 her relationship with Leon was the same as Jeffrey Daniel's was with the late, good Reverend James Cleavland. Unfiltered deals with what WAS asked and cut out in Unsung - they didn't want to open Pandora's box, but i don't mind. Leon had a special relationship with most women from the company. Dick Griffey's wife, Carrie Lucas, Dynasty's Nidra Beard & Lindia Carriere (who Dick was sleeping with, as well), another Solar employee, Edna Collins (HH was hitting it, too), Klymaxx.

[1973cleopatrajones]

@eric2181965 Leon's booty bulletin was longer than his list of hits. how many ways can one spell, 'Ho?' he may have even taken couple of members from Lakeside on a Fantastic Voyage, as well. He was a busy man. I guess that was his inspiration for Dynasty's "I Don't Wanna Be A Freak But I Can't Help Myself"! Jody was duped for her lack of wise in the wilds of the world, but unlike the others who were just wild, she was the only one who got the ring:-):-) -- and so many MORE

[MrJacksonvill]

at least she quit..I got mobbed out of a group once.

[niyankharimama23]

Thank u so much... for letting the world know what really went down! God bless you and ur story is truly an inspiring one!!!

[ilosayan]

Part 7?

[barrysarna]

Wow Jody. Powerful stuff; especially in the context of Dick's recent passing. I remember how hard it was for you, but I am so glad you overcame the odds.

Barry Sarna

[shaftunlimited]

@barrysarna great comment, Barry.....

[shaftunlimited]

@barrysarna I remember it all, myself, like you during that period. I'm so proud of Jody, as well as Face. But, part 7 has arrived and you owe it to yourself to get right over, now, and see another one of Solar's alumni's in this series.....Bet'cha never guess who it is!

[dpartystarter1]

Dick Griffery RIP!-The timing of JW's unfiltered is ironic & bittersweet for her revelations preluded his death & not afterwards! With all due respect to DG's family in their time of mourning, it is unfortunate that while one was here on God's earth that people have been wronged! As a fan of 80's funk, his contributions were noteworthy, despite the immoral dealings behind those great jams & this is the harsh reality of the music business! Life is short! Much continued support & love for JW!

[fiveorange]

Jody you are the best for giving us the truth. I feel inspired by this video series and I will be your fan forever,

[leofilm]

i was searched for Shalamar videos, because i wanted to pay tribute to the late Dick Griffey -- and to the music and memories of being myself at 19. the videos led me to Unsung, which led me to your unfiltered videos. i don't know what i feel now. i feel 47 - not necessarily in a bad way. perhaps there will NEVER be a reunion of J.H.J. beyond the digital magic of the Babyface song and video. my 47 year-old self understands, yet my 19 year-old self is even more heartbroken.

[razeworld68]

@leofilm VERY,VERY,VERY, WELL SAID!!!

[whitesongs73]

Jody Watley you are anointed my sister

[Mixxersmix]

i would like to know how you felt when you saw you're replacements, they were almost copies of you and Jeffrey.

[PhuckHue2]

wow the music business is cold blooded. I only bought the Shalamar albums that had Jody. I bought every Jody album, 12" and CD she ever put out. I never bought anything Howard put out. the fans know what time it is!

[yvessaintlaurent88]

LOL And that is an epic fucking fail to be exact!

[shaftunlimited]

@yvessaintlaurent88, Damn! Doesn't your broom ever run out of gas, or any houses fall on you! Here you go again, flying and zooming from one Youtube page to the next. Such the comedian you attempt to be. Me? Mrcovering? I'm sure even he's sharing this laugh, also. To bad there's no longer 'Showtime at the Apollo,' but you're ol' school, so I'm sure you have the full collection. On Beta! Well, I see that I've broken you down to the lowest common denominator. My work here is is complete. LOL

[yvessaintlaurent88]

LMAOOOO@This failed attempt Mrcovering is making at trying to convince others that he is someone else!!!

[dpartystarter1]

For some unknown reason, Part 7 has not posted & it will be Sept. soon & it has also been over a year from which Shalamar's Unsung originally aired! Much continued support for the solo Jody & we the fans are unconditionally appreciative of her voluntarily letting us know what really happened back then; because she didn't even have to do this series! Looking forward to her memoirs & Chameleon in the near future!

[MrCovering]

I think the desire people had for Jody Watley to go back and do a reunion tour with Shalamar has sort of waned a bit over the past 5 months. And thanks to Jody by her doing these unfiltered videos people can finally stop asking her when she's going to tour with Shalamar again. I still feel that Jody is entitled to that money she was never paid!

[shaftunlimited]

@MrCovering, hey Mrcovering.....was'up! just to give you a heads up, you have a Stalker. A very angry, homophobic, racist Stalker to be matter-of -fact! Just go over to Jody Watley's 'Greetings 2010' and the person's post- name is Yevessaintlaurent88, (but, her real name is, Synariah Allen), and read her comment to you, calling you a Stalker, as she seem to call anyone who's a Jody fan. So, hope everything's good with you, and we'll talk later!

[ilosayan]

Looking forward to Part 7! Hope you post it soon. And from the last few clips, looks like Babyface, LL and Shalamar performed together live. I wonder if that clip is floating around YT. Any idea where it's from?

And Ms. Watley, you look great. Keep doing what you're doing. Peace.

[zheahra]

I'm glad you did loose yourself in all of that mess and drama. Did you age at all? You are the true ageless beauty. I'm so happy you told your side of the story the way you wanted it to be told.

[kedavis]

Jody,

Thank you for sharing this personal and very private part of your history with us. I can't wait to see the next one.

[jaysnar808]

Ms. Watley, I have always been a fan...when in high school, I was a fan of Shalamar, so I've followed your career through the years (I'm 46), your solo career…Love You; after seeing these clips, I have a whole new respect for you Lady. You are such an inspiration! God Bless.

[kpitt1204]

I just love Jody for being so open and honest. She owes us (the fans nothing in reality, but I have always been curious about Jody and the group, as they were one of my favorites. Jody is stronger as a solo artist and after going through all that she went through in the group, I can't blame her for not taking a step back into those moments.

[brothacoco2070]

Come on Ms. Watley!! It's been a month now. Where is Part 7. "Reunion, Bits, Pieces & Epilogue".....We want...."MORE"!! <----(My Favorite song by you, from the "Midnight Lounge" cd.).....L.O.L.

[dpartystarter1]

@brothacoco2070 I too have been really waiting on Part 7 to post for it really has been awhile! I'm a big supporter of hers & what better way to help get folk's mind off about worrying her about a Shalamar reunion other than to go ahead & post the epilogue! I look forward to her memiors & the new album, but more so to the final closing of this series for it has really been good & enlightening! Positive closure is rare in the music biz! Much continued love to JW!

[shaftunlimited]

@brothacoco2070 Guess what..... Part 7 has arrived. And it's a cliff hanger!

[NubianFeenx]

Although Howard Hewett was the lead singer of Shalamar, to me Jody was the stand out. I am not surprised at the naysayers who tried to tell her what she would not become yet through it all she proved them wrong a hundred times over.

[UHeythere]

That was tight....I like many people detected tension just by the way we guys thought Shalamar was gonna let Jody Watley perform more songs as the lead. We heard that Stephanie Mills waked in on Jefferey having SEX with another man....true or not, back in 198? that's what we heard.

[CiaraAngel1]

@UHeythere This isn't the first time I've heard this, amoung several other things. Why are so many people so concerned about this man's personal biz? Are any of these people married to him, dating him, or screwing him? If not, I don't feel they should be concerned. His dance, music and performance on stage should be what matters,not his bedroom,or who's in it.

[timbalandj]

Thanks Jody for clearing this up... always been a fan of you and admired your perseverance - keep doing what you do....

[dpartystarter1]

Something is vehemently & psychologically wrong with a millionaire like Griffery who has an ongoing & repeated hatred for Jody! In addition to the hate, how low down can one be to profit from someone's "own" success & hate on them simutameously, it doesn't go both ways!.If I'm not mistaken that album did 4mil worldwide, including the 2mil in the US...and then. they still want her to voluntarily come back to the pimping after all these years! GMFB!!!

[soulchildsacomin]

@dpartystarter1

Poor Jody! I see why she never wants to re-join the group.

[slendergrl]

Queen Jody...love your candidness and really love your recent work. Your fashion sense is uncanny and you are such an icon for me and my generation...

[SkyBluJag1]

Thanks a million Jody. I appreciate you giving first hand information about what really happened within the group. Congratulations on all of your success. You are definately one who needs to be in the public eye to show girls/women now days how to present themselves and maintain integrity. Especially girls/women who want to be in the entertainment industry. Good luck and continued success in all you do.

[bakman1000]

Hey Jody...Thank you so much for sharing your story..I LOVED you in Shalamar and was crushed when you left. Your voice in Shalamar to me was the glue that held it together. It was never ever the same after you. Although you had phenomenal success afterwards, you will always be to me that BEAUTIFUL, SEXY, DANCING DIVA, that made that group what it was. I LOVE U!!! :)

[untaco]

I can't believe Griffey received profits from Jody's first album - unreal! This was a great series that told Jody's side of things - enjoyed it.

[subbassone]

Your style and music are uniquely beautiful. I feel privileged to hear you impart your knowledge of the history of Shamlar. I cherish your music and the sound of your voice. I'm grateful that you conquered those demons and obstacles in your path to legendary status. Much love and best wishes ; ) Mondo, dj/sax

[speedoflite1]

Jody, your innocence shines through. cool music and videos, too.

Always & forever. Real Love!

[toughandtender5000]

What a class act! Listen, there's nothing wrong with people loving and remembering the music of Shalamar, but I do think it's important to remember that this woman actually LIVED IT - so I applaud her candor not only about that chapter in her life, but about the music business too. It's easy for people to be armchair quarterbacks when in reality we need to respect all people, their journeys and decisions, celebrities included. The Jody Watley of 2010 is a revelation!

[toughandtender5000]

What a class act! Listen, there's nothing wrong with people loving and remembering the music of Shalamar, but I do think it's important to remember that this woman actually LIVED IT - so I applaud her candor not only about that chapter in her life, but about the music business too. It's easy for people to be armchair quarterbacks when in reality we need to respect all people, their journeys and decisions, celebrities included. The Jody Watley of 2010 is a revelation!

[babysdaddyATL]

Thank you again and again for sharing yourself! I am soooo inspired by you and I appreciate you.

[PaulaDDS]

I just viewed Unfiltered 1-6 and I must say, what a testimony you have! It just proves that what God has for you is for you! Did any of your former group mates win a Grammy?

[plussizedgoddess]

Jody girl, I love you since back in the day and now. I'm one of your female fans who has grown with you and really admire you sis. I remember you from Dorsey High days and Soul Train. God is good, and your blessings are your own. i liked Shalamar back in the day, and i can get my old school groove on with the best but you have kept it moving fresh with your own style. I cried with you girl when you won that Grammy and watching it in this video too. Keep doing YOU.

[mshortstop]

Wow, some of these blanket statements about who likes Jody's music, is kinda crazy... Good music is appreciated by straight males as well as people of all walks of life.

Come on people lets move past these types of things!

[dpartystarter1]

I am still surprised by the brief video at the end of this Part 6!

WOW! Much continued love to Jody!

[sinterminator]

Talking about a BIG surprise at the end of the video.

I'm glad you mentioned the fact that God blessed you.

Only a few people still dare to mention God in a conversation.

Bonus will come. The BIG one. I pray for that.

Keep that silver smile !

[astrogliding]

Right on, ma! I can't wait to see you in July! 

[slimsxyblkwoman]

Jody, your story is so inspiring and powerful! You are by far the most successful talented of the group! Quite frankly, I think that all of that crap they put you through was to try to break and ultimately control you! That business is probalby the worst of them all! Uggghhh! Anyways beautiful lady; continue to live your life being the DIVA that you are and will ALWAYS be!

[dpartystarter1]

Solar artists have recorded some great memorable music, but now Dick's persona appears to be the central root of alot these group's problems with their tarnished legacies no matter how much TVone edit's the episodes! Like part 5, this part 6 also has a suprising photo at the end! Much continued love to Jody!

[TheElfcounsel]

Miss Watley, great backing music. Can listen to it all day. Just Fab!

[shaftunlimited]

Missgodiver......godiver, come out, come out where ever you are!........let's play!

[shaftunlimited]

@TheElfcounsel, let's keep this positive and on point, that's what La Watley is all about. This clip was the best of all 6. Very honest, open and most of all a lesson well learned from a great teacher for a generation of up and coming artist to take notes of the dirty side of the business, but through all hurdles, Watley pounced over and continue her scamper, and like cream that's been churned from butter, she rose to the top.

[TheElfcounsel]

@shaftunlimited she'll be here. Where ever there's a great party, there's always an outcast, unsought repellent who appears in the midst of the dance to drain the last positive energy from a person, or situation......blood suckers. He and that used up 80's Soul train dancer Synirah Allen who's bitter because she either couldn't get her career in music off and running, or, she lost her man to another man

[1973cleopatrajones]

@shaftunlimited, I hope you fellows don't mind me churning in on your coversation, but i've been watching from afar and since I worked at Solar and know all, Miss Watley has been on the money with these clips. For some, the truth hurts, for others, they can't handel it, but at the end of the day, truth will prevail, which Jody's pay off of truth has been a successful career and a Grammy, not to mention the other Billboards, Vh1, MTV awards.

[1973cleopatrajones]

@shaftunlimited, someone mentioned in an earlier post, i think it was you, about 'HATERS.' You're right, we all need them to stay focused on our purpose driven course in this life, and Watley has trully had her fair share from Soul train, Solar records, Shalamar, as well as the last 50 fav Shalamar fans whose holding on despertely to a fadded memory, but at the end of the day those same folk are still looking through rose tinted glasses. TAKE THEM OFF!

[TheElfcounsel]

@1973cleopatrajones, hey, don't mind at all, it's nice to know that Jody garnered success, and on her on terms without using a music industry pimp! This part 6 was very informative and she kept it real all the way through!

[1973cleopatrajones]

@TheElfcounsel, from a business stand point, if Shalamar brand was in hot demand, shouldn't Griffey had a CD composed and released on the group? To exposed the pimping he's doing, he would not! Because the CD would be released on another lable, generating money for this new company, and not his wallet, so, he'd rather keep HIS group's library controlled, letting them pocket a little change, and he, continue collecting bank!

[1973cleopatrajones]

@TheElfcounsel, Synirah Allen posted jody's fan base are all 'gays males,' but what's wrong with that? Jeffrey Daniels first fan base was gay during his pre-Soul train days. What famous Diva does not have a large gay fan base. Donna Summers, Cher, Ross, Bett Midler, Babs, Tina, Clay Aikens. The gays have always been a 'make or break' assembly in music society and w/out them, you have nothing! I'd say, 'Jody's in great company!'

[noahsarcooo]

@1973cleopatrajones the fact that she HAS gay fans should shut everyone up!

That shows that she will be played and loved looooong after she dies!

Gay fans are the most loyal fans and every diva is fighting to have them.

thats why them new school divas think they have to dress as drag queens to impress the gays!

LOL

[MUSICENCYLOPEDIA]

@noahsarcooo True I saw Jody perform at Brooklyn Black Gay Pride in 2003 and not only did she give a good show, she also made time to sign autographs and take photos

[1973cleopatrajones]

@TheElfcounsel, you fellows have a great night. A gilr's gotta company to run. See you soon.....real sooooon! ;-)