THE DOOBIE BROTHERS: The Doobie Brothers’ success was no mistake … but the title of their hit song “China Grove” could be considered one.
Who could have thought up the song, which was famous for its lick that captures an ‘eastern flavour’? The name at least was ‘created’ by the band’s writer, Tom Johnston, to be fictional – something he invented as a killer song title. Genius! Killer as it was – and a great track as it is – it’s actually a real town in Texas.
The best part? Johnston did not realize this until he took a cab through Houston and the cab driver mentioned the song in 1975, two years after its release on their studio album, ‘The Captain and Me’. Johnston said it best: “In 1972 we were touring in Winnebagos, and we were driving into San Antonio. And there is a China Grove, Texas, right outside of San Antonio. I must have seen the sign and forgotten about it.”
For a song with a fictional storyline of a wacky, wild town, the real one is a small place of with just over 1,000 residents. It is named after its local chinaberry trees.
-Sean Pervin
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THE FOUR TOPS: Unlike other bands and groups, The Four Tops’ line-up did not change across 44 years of music. From 1953 to 1997, the original line-up was Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, and Lawrence Payton.
It’s clear everyone was in it for the long haul. In fact, on top of their unmoving line-up, Levi Stubbs was the only lead vocalist for the group. If there was a giant hit by The Four Tops, it was sung by Stubbs to ensure a consistent sound and polish. That consistency helped launch the group (and Motown Records) to international renown.
The Four Tops group still tours and performs live today with a new line-up. The first to come was Motown artist Ronnie McNeil in 1999, who was raised in Pontiac, Michigan. Before his passing in 2024, Fakir still performed as first tenor. The son of Lawrence Payton (Lawrence Payton Jr.), still performs in the band to this day as a bass/baritone singer.
-Sean Pervin
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JONI MITCHELL: At the age of nine, Joni Mitchell was a self-described tomboy who preferred physically active games over playing with dolls. Driven, athletic, and free. All of this made the limits of her hospital bed even more painful after she contracted polio.
Polio could have meant she’d never walk again – a reality a nine year old should never have to contend with. From her wheelchair, she refused to accept a grim future. To pass the time in treatment and in spite of her clinical hospital environment, she often belted out Christmas carols, which Mitchell cites as her ‘first time performing’.
After excruciating treatments, she did recover the use of her legs, though her athletic potential was sadly limited. Thankfully, she had discovered new talents, interests and ways to express herself through the hardship.
-Sean Pervin
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BOB DYLAN: Robert Allen Zimmerman at birth … Bob Dylan today. The legal name change was finalized August 9, 1962. But what other names did Bob Dylan perform under before (and after!) settling on … Bob Dylan? There have been many.
One of his earlier pseudonyms, Elston Gunnn (with three of the letter ‘N’ at the end), was used when playing the piano for Bobby Vee. Robert Milkwood Thomas was used when working harmonica magic on Steve Goodman’s albums, while Tedham Porthouse was used when playing harmonica on Ramblin’ Jack Elliot on one 1964 album.
As part of the legendary Traveling Wilburys, Dylan was known as Lucky Wilbury in their first volume and Boo Wilbury in their third.
-Sean Pervin
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BTO: Takin’ care of MISSED business! Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) was rejected by record labels 24 TIMES before signing with Mercury Records. Imagine… 24 missed opportunities to wow “gearheads” across the globe. Imagine something as BIG as BTO slipping through your fingers.
Thankfully, BTO was signed with Mercury in April 1973, and their self-titled debut would release May 1, 1973. Their third album, Not Fragile, became legend as it reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and the Canadian RPM albums chart. It brought the band worldwide recognition.
-Sean Pervin
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Ah, the Rolling Stones – a rock band jammed with legends and storied songs that would be passed down for generations. Frontman Mick Jagger turned 83 on July 26, so it’s only natural we discuss his achievements.
Before the Rolling Stones formed and topped charts with number-one hits, Mick Jagger studied finance and accounting on a government grant at the London School of Economics. He was dealing with a different type of numbers, but numbers nonetheless. According to his tutor at the LSE, Walter Stern, Jagger wanted to ‘go into business but was worried about mathematics’.
Following a distraction, he was now getting letters – straight C’s, not fan mail. The distraction? Running into Keith Richards at the Dartford train station in Kent, England soon after he started. A bored Jagger left school in 1963 after the Rolling Stones’ music career launched and they signed a record deal. The rest is history.
-Sean Pervin
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THE SUPREMES: Elegance. Style. Stardom. The Supremes scored their legendary status as chart-toppers on August 22, 1964 with ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ landing number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Three years of successful singles followed, including “Baby Love” and “Stop! In the Name Of Love”, were captured in the 20-track double LP ‘Diana Ross and the Supremes’ Greatest Hits’.
This was the first album billing Ross’ name before the group – a major change for Motown’s most commercially successful act. Ross would, of course, later depart the Supremes to forge a solo career in 1970, giving a final farewell and introducing new member Jean Terrell.
Her solo career is storied and cemented her as a global superstar, but we’ll never forget where she came from… and that unprecedented three-year period of massive singles from 1964 – 1967. All this, captured in a 20-track double LP album freezing the group in time.
-Sean Pervin
