1966 - September: Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels ”Breakout...!!!”

Lots of music was coming out of Detroit in the 60's, and one of the high energy groups coming out of the Michigan rock scene was Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. The group had crossover appeal with a little soul, a little funk, and a lot of energy. Breakout...!!! was their second album, and was indeed a breakout for this Motor City band.

Mitch Ryder (stage name for William Sherille Levise, Jr ) was originally a backup singer with a soul band, but racial animosities forced the white Mitch Ryder to move on. Much of the music done by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels was cover songs.

The group was legendary for their onstage presence and intensity. Breakout...!!! was an album compiled and released only after the songs had been released as singles.

 

Walking the Dog This song is a cover performed by Rufus Thomas, and was done by many groups.

"Ooh Poo Pah Doo" If you get the image of a toga party when listening to this music, you're not alone! This song was originally written and performed by Jessie Hill, and was a hit for Hill in 1960. You get a sense for Ryder's vocal chops on this one.

Little Latin Lupa Lu This Righteous Brothers cover was mentioned in the film “Hi Fidelity.” The sound of a revved up R&B permeates all of the rock genre.

Devil With A Blue Dress On One of the more famous Ryder songs, this was first recorded by Shorty Long in 1964, but Ryder's version would pick up the tempo, and proved more popular than the original.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Theme from the television series “Star Trek” This long-standing staple of the science fiction genre got its start in 1966, and the original series would run for (only!) 3 years.

STAFF PICKS:

“Working In The Coal Mine” by Lee Dorsey Rob presents a song written by producer Allen Toussaint, and recorded by New Orleans native Lee Dorsey. Dorsey was in boxing and auto repair before becoming a singer. You may be more familiar with the Devo version of this cover recorded in 1981.

“Sunshine Superman” by Donovan Bruce features the title track from Donovan's third album. This would be his breakthrough song. John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page were in this band, and would go on to fame in Led Zeppelin. ...“Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me.”

“Who Do You Think You Are?” by The Shindogs Brian's staff pick features the harmonies of LA-based Shindogs, who were formed as the house band for the ABC television show “The Shindigs.” They remained with the show until it's cancellation in 1965, and continued on until shortly after this song was released.

“I'll Keep Holding On” by The Action Wayne's staff pick was a mod group, playing soul-influenced pop music in London. They had no hits, but were a warm-up band for The Who, and were known as a great live band. This song was originally recorded by a Motown group called The Marvelettes.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

“Wade in the Water” by Ramsey Lewis Trio We finish off this week with a horn-based instrumental gospel song on the charts at the time.

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