Who had the very first hit for Berry Gordy? It was Detroit native Marv Johnson, who scored with “Come with Me” in 1959 on Gordy’s pre-Motown label, Tamla. The label was so new, the distribution was handled through United Artists records!
Johnson had other hits for Motown – and United Artists – and stayed with Gordy for 20 years but never quite caught on with the American record-buying public. Overseas, particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia, he remained a star right up until his untimely death in 1993.
Johnson did manage to record one album of gospel songs and spirituals for United Artists in 1962, titled I Believe. The LP was recorded at Motown’s Hitsville studio and included many of the famed Motown session musicians. A good example of Johnson’s high tenor and exuberant spirit is his version of the old COGIC chant song, “Every Time I Feel the Spirit.”
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.
