Johnny
Bristol
b. Morgantown, North Carolina,
USA. Bristol’s career began within the nascent Tamla/Motown circle. He first
recorded in 1960 as part of the duo of Johnny And Jackie (Jackie Beavers, whom
Bristol met while in the US Air Force). On Gwen Gordy and Harvey Fuqua’s
Tri-Phi label, they recorded the original version of ‘Someday We’ll Be
Together’ (1961), which was a runaway success for the Supremes in 1969.
Bristol remained with the company, and over the next 10 years, in a
partnership with Harvey Fuqua, forged a successful career as a producer and
songwriter with Edwin Starr, David Ruffin, Detroit Spinners, Stevie Wonder and
Junior Walker. Bristol left Motown in 1973, and joined CBS as house producer,
but, despite that, was still unable to get them to release his solo album. He
eventually achieved this by negotiating an outside deal with MGM, and
relaunched his performing career with an international smash ‘Hang On In
There Baby’ (1974). Subsequent releases reinforced its machismo—based
approach but lacked the depth and variety which the artist was able to conjure
for other performers. Despite a prolific work-rate, he was unable to repeat
that early hit, except for a UK Top 40 hit in 1980, duetting with Amii Stewart
on ‘My Guy -
My
Girl’. After making singles for Ariola and Handshake Records in the 80s he
briefly recorded for Ian Levine’s Motor City label in 1989, issuing two UK
singles.
Albums: Hang On In There
Baby (1974), Bristol’s Creme (1976), Free To Be Me (1981).
Compilation: The Best Of Johnny Bristol (1988).
Do it to my mind (Atlantic 12" DSKO 79, 1976)