Ronnie McNeir - Wholeheartedly

I co-wrote this wonderful song with both Ronnie McNeir and the wonderful charismatic Obie (Renaldo) Benson, of the Four Tops, who sadly passed away a few years ago. Obie had also written "What's Going On" with Marvin Gaye of course, and had co-written with me and Ronnie that wonderful tribute to Marvin by his brother Frankie Gaye, called "My Brother". Ronnie McNeir made his very first record as a teenager called "Sitting In My Class", which became a huge Northern Soul favourite. He became close friends with Kim Weston, and moved to Los Angeles. Ronnie then returned to his home town of Detroit, and built up his recording career. After recording for many more labels, he signed to Prodigal, which became a part of Motown, and then recorded for Motown itself. He was a major part of our Motorcity project, writing for many other artists, along with his lifetime friend, "Four Top" Obie Benson, as well as singing for us as an artist. He is now a permanent member of the Four Tops, since only one original member is now left, Duke Fakir. My friend Ralph Tee flew to Las Vegas, where Ronnie now lives, especially to shoot the video for our big Motorcity classic, "Lucky Number". This song, "Wholeheartedly", was first recorded in 1990, then years later went on to become one of the first of these Motorcity recordings to be wholeheartedly welcomed and adored by the London Soul scene. Obie sang backing vocals too, with Ronnie and Sonny Sanders from The Satintones, who was the arranger for all Jackie Wilson's big mid-sixties hits too.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Motown
• Detroit
• Motorcity
• Funk
• Classic-Soul
• Male-Groups
• Four-Tops

[TooDarnSoulful]

what a voice - nice sound

[spankard1]

Frankie Gaye was such a big fan of Ronnie McNeir and would have loved this video. Frankie's favorite Ronnie song was "It's A Shame"

[4BellaHeike]

@TooDarnSoulful

It` s a great song.Ronnie has such a good voice.BellaƸ̵̡Ӝ̵Ʒ

[4BellaHeike]

Super fine song!Great posting!BellaƸ̵̡Ӝ̵Ʒ

[comanchegirl1]

Another great song....

[deepstarr74]

classic

[hsp100]

Great Tune

[MrLevistubbs]

i want this song. why aren't these songs in available in stores, these should be hits. they should re-record these songs with the four tops instead of doing projects.

[ArchieGe]

gr8 song !!

and btw

thanks for your gr8 work over the past :)

[tustles]

Another Great Tune KTF

[smilersweetness]

Lovely. x

[FreddieDDJ]

Sarah, please give my best regards to Ian and Ronnie for such a wonderful song. I grew up in the same town as Ronnie. My first trip to a recording studio was to check him out as he worked on an album. Would love to hear more from this duo. Eddie Pruitt