On this day in music history: December 26, 1970 - Stoned Love by The Supremes hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 1 week, also peaking at #7 on the Hot 100 on December 19, 1970. Written by Frank Wilson and Kenny Thomas, it is the seventh R&B chart topper for the legendary Motown vocal trio. Following Diana Ross departure from The Supremes for a solo career in January of 1970, Jean Terrell, the sister of heavyweight boxing champ Ernie Terrell will replace Ross as lead singer of the group. The Supremes will work with Motown staff producer Frank Wilson (The Temptations, The Four Tops), which will pay off immediately when Up The Ladder To The Roof (#5 R&B, #10 Pop), the first single featuring Terrell on lead vocals becomes a hit. While searching for more material, Wilson will hear a song written by local Detroit teenager named Kenny Thomas. Thomas had entered into a talent contest sponsored by radio station WJLB. Wilson will contact and meet the seventeen year old musician, asking him if he has any more songs. Playing on an old guitar that only has two strings, Thomas will play an incomplete song hes working on titled Stoned Love. Wilson loves the song, and will invite the young aspiring songwriter to Motown to play it for Mary Wilson who also agrees that the song is a hit and agrees that it is perfect for The Supremes. The track is recorded at Golden World Studios (aka Motown Studio B) in Detroit, MI with members of The Funk Brothers on March 10, 1970. The horns and strings are arranged and conducted by David Van DePitte, and are recorded on April 2, and April 27, 1970. The Supremes will overdub their vocals in New York City on May 12, 1970. The song is met with opposition by Motowns A&R department who are fearful that radio will believe that it is making reference to drug use, instead of its actual message, making a plea for peace and understanding amid conflict. Label founder Berry Gordy, Jr. will also voice his dislike of the song, refusing to allow its release. Senior Motown exec Barney Ales will go over his bosses head, and play the song for the head of the powerful and influential RKO radio chain who agrees that Stoned Love is a hit, and will commit to adding it to their station playlists. Hearing this development, Gordy will finally agree to its release as a single in October of 1970. On the 45 label it will carry songwriting credits for Frank Wilson and Ynnek Samoht, the latter being Kenny Thomas spelled backwards. Thomas does this in part, paying indirect tribute to singer and musician Nina Simone whom the young musician idolizes. Stoned Love quickly becomes a smash and is the biggest hit for The Supremes in the post-Diana Ross era. The song will prove to have enduring popularity when it is featured in the film and on the soundtrack for Forrest Gump and is covered by R&B singer Angie Stone.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 01:15:23 +0000
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