Posted by Mitch S on October 16, 2009 at 03:03:28:
In Reply to: Hank Spann posted by Bobby Jay on October 14, 2009 at 22:43:16:
I'm very sorry to hear of Hank's passing.
Wow, Hank & "RL16" represented a musical awakening for me. Prior to listening to RL, my main exposure to music was pop, & primarily short versions. I then discovered album & extended 12" versions of soul-funk-disco. While listening to Hank & the music he played at night I changed from merely liking music (albeit a lot), to absolutely loving music. This was 1977. I liked hearing songs before they became hits on the pop stations, and by the time they did cross over, I was ready for new material. I especially enjoyed the even funkier & more soulful non crossover product. How ironic, just a day or so ago, I was listening to the 1977 Cameo song "It's Serious" (way before the group crossed over to pop in the 80s) , really grooving to the music & remembering how I felt first hearing it on Hank's show on RL. Another standout for me was T Connection "Do What You Wanna Do", a very soulful slice of disco, which eventually climbed the charts of the genre. There are so many more: Lenny Williams "Choosing You", Seventh Wonder "Do It With Your Body", Stephanie Mills "Put Your Body In It", etc....
It was great fun listening to Hank present this music that I loved so much.
Hank said it best: "Come on Apple... It's time to call & cop. 9-5-5-Ninety Nine Eighty Four... I'll take the 16th caller now to win the brand new one from brother Rick James... Bustin' Out of L7"
There will never be another Hank Spann