"Michael (the Lover)"Sometimes written "Michael the Lover" or simply "Michael" (on the original C.O.D.'s single release). is a soul song originally performed by American Chicago soul group the C.O.D.'s.
The song was written by the group's lead singer Larry BrownleeBut credited to Brownlee, Lewis, and Washington on an Emase Records single. who was murdered in 1978. It was released as a single on Kellmac Records in the United States and Stateside in the United Kingdom and made it to number 5 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in 1965. The song was produced by Leon Singleton and arranged by Pete Matthews.Kellmac Records 1003 A 7" 45 rpm single label
The song was later remade by the Mad Lads, appearing on their 1966 album The Mad Lads In Action (Volt 414), and by the Northern soul Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band (Piccadilly 7N 35359). Washington's version reached #39 on the UK charts. The 1980 song "Geno", a tribute to Washington and his band, notes "You were Michael the lover, the fighter who won".
Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band version
The version of Michael by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band became a chart hit for them but it also became a crowd favorite.
Background It appeared on the Marble Arch compilation album, Stars of 67 which also featured "Puppet on a String" by Sandie Shaw and "Universal Soldier" by Donovan.Billboard, September 23, 1967 - Page 66 Pye to Bow New Classical Label
Chart Their version got to #39 in February 1967.Music VF.com - Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band Top Songs 1967, Michael It also made its debut at on the Radio City City Sixty chart at no. 30 on the period of Sunday 29 January - Sunday 5 February 1967.The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame - THE CITY SIXTY Sunday 29th January - Sunday 5th February 1967 30 - # Michael (The Lover) Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band It got to no. 15 the following week,The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame - THE CITY SIXTY Sunday 5th - Sunday 12th February 1967, 15 30 Michael (The Lover) Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band but due to station owner, Dorothy Calvert being found guilty of operating a radio station inside UK territorial waters on February 8, 1967 and the station being closed that night, the single's course, as with other singles there would be unknown.The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame - The City Sixty, 5th - 12th February 1967
Other recordings Other versions by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band includes a live version that appears on Hand Clappin, Foot Stompin, Funky-Butt ... Live! album.Discogs - Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band – Hand Clappin' Foot Stompin' Funky-Butt... Live! An unreleased version recorded by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band in 1968 appears on the Holdin' On With Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band EP which was released on the Acid Jazz label in 2013.45Cat - Geno Washington And The Ram Jam Band - Discography, UK
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