Major Lance - Love Pains (Rare Motown)

The influence of Major Lance on the Northern Soul scene has been as great if not greater than that of any other artist and began well before the terminology "Northern Soul" had ever been thought of, the Major was also responsible for discovering and launching the career of the Artistics. Like many the Major started singing gospel in a group known as "The Five Gospel Harmonies". He then formed "The Floats" working together with Otis Leavill. The 'Floats" are not to be confused with the 'Floaters" and never actually released any records. It would be 1959 when the Major began working with his old school friend Curtis Mayfield, producer Carl Davis and Billy Butler, who would all greatly influence each others careers. It was Mayfield who wrote "I got a girl" which the Major recorded on the Mercury label. History has shown that things really started moving for Major Lance when he joined the greatest Northern Soul label ever "OKeh" around 1962. His first OKeh release was the little known "Delilah", soon to be followed by his first US chart hit "Monkey Time" which is a record many a Northern Soul will fan still have in their record boxes and one which would help cement the Major's working relationship with Curtis Mayfield. This partnership would go from strength to strength and deliver many great records including "Hey Little Girl", "Um Um Um" and "Rhythm". In 1965 the major toured the UK, this was far before his later Northern Soul success in the early 70's and was supported by a UK backing band fro Middlesex named "Bluesology, who appeared live at the Twisted Wheel and whose pianist was an unknown youngster named Reggie Dwight, much later to become well known to us all as none other than Elton John.

Major Lance (April 4, 1939, Winterville, Mississippi — September 3, 1994, Decatur, Georgia)
Steve Bardsley

http://home.iprimus.com.au/stephenbardsley/major_lance.htm

Category:

Education

Tags:

• northern
• soul
• motown
• major
• lance

[TheLaptopDoctor]

Major Lance had one LP and one 45 on Motown's Soul label. initially slated for Gordy G980 but got arrested and sent to prison and LP was moved to SOUL SS-751 which was Soul's last album. This song is on 'Now Arriving - Major Lance'

[MegaMusicman09]

Brilliant..Thankyou..The Might of Motown .

[NexusPerth]

Thank you.

[OldGoldSoul]

MAJOR LANCE DIED IN 1994 R.I.P.

[quieterrps]

Had no idea that Major Lance ever recorded for Motown. This sounds to be more akin to latter period Stax if I was asked to guess. Great tune, thanks!

[toffee2002]

@OCTRUNIT

hi octrunit, I also knew your grandfather, I went to school with one of his daughters when they were staying in the uk for a while. I didn't really appreciate his music at the time, preferring donny osmond and the jackson 5, to me your grandfather was my mates dad, but he was funny and always talked too fast but gradually I got the hang of his accent. RIP major x

[OCTRUNIT]

@011258stooie Awwww :)

Yes, I've heard tht he's a legend in the UK. Hopefully I get the chance to travel to the UK soon. His legacy still continues. I also do music. So u will be hearing my music VERY soon

[011258stooie]

@OCTRUNIT

Hi CC, it's an honor to talk to the seed of soul royalty.

Your grandfarther is a legend in the UK.

Just hereing his name gives me those goose bumps you only get when reminded of your youth.

[OCTRUNIT]

Major Lance was my grandfather. No joke at all. (My mom's father)

Rest In Paradise Grandpa <3

xoxo CC

[GashisDX]

I was born on the exact day Major died. Is it a coincidence I love this song? Even though he had a coke addiction and went to prison, he's a great musician.