The Temptations & Funk Brothers...In Studio Session Rehearsal (1967)


Given the fact that Motown had not been conducting Live sessions with the vocalists and instrumentalists recording at the same time since at least 1963, this session was clearly staged for the CBS News cameras that were doing a brief piece called The Motown Sound.

Pictured in the studio are songwriters Lamont Dozier (Standing on the steps at the back of the studio), Brian Holland (The guy who cuts in on the band), Ivy Jo Hunter (Does the countdown), Russ Terrana (The engineer standing up), James Jamerson on Bass, Earl Van Dyke on piano, Bobbye Hall on congas, and from left to right on guitars Robert White, Joe Messina and Eddie Willis. The arranger, wearing headphones and conducting the band, is William Witherspoon.

To the best of my knowledge this incredibly rare piece of film is the only one of two pieces of footage ever shot at a session inside the studio known as the Snakepit.


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Comment by Edie Antoinette on November 14, 2009 at 7:21pm
Please! Ain't nobody even noticed child. You look comfortable and that's all that counts! If I have on some torture chambers I will take them bad boys off and walk bare-footed if I have to. Shooot! LOL
Comment by Shelley "SoleMann" King on November 14, 2009 at 5:45pm
Mama Edie, i don't know what i was thinking that day, ain't no telling how many people laughed at me....ROFLMBO
Comment by Shelley "SoleMann" King on November 14, 2009 at 12:44pm
Russ Terrana (The engineer standing up) is The Moderator at The Soulful Detroit Site i belong to
Comment by Shelley "SoleMann" King on November 14, 2009 at 12:40pm
Everytime i see this i am reminded of my visit to Hitsville USA 13 years ago, i remember walking around The Snakepit, being at the microphone acting like i'm singing....LOL, going into the control booth, going up front where the offices were at, going upstairs where Berry and his family lived in the early days of Motown....It was magical seeing that place and all that history, my only regret is of the hundreds of pics i took that day, these were the only ones that came out good


Comment by Edie Antoinette on November 14, 2009 at 12:39pm
At least you have these--wonderful memories! I know why you got them sandals on, too! LOL
Comment by KnightD12 on November 14, 2009 at 8:26am
I agree, this is clearly staged for the cameras. Notice when Brian Holand cuts in to give instructions to the band, when they restart, they play the song exactly as they had before. He just wanted some camera time. I ain`t mad at him. LOL And notice how high Davids mike is .. wow. This studio is way to small for ll these people at once. They could never record good Stereo like that. This is a marvelous find Brotha Sole. You are Da Man! Loved it.
Comment by Edie Antoinette on November 13, 2009 at 2:26pm
*clicking timer* Hurup and find the otha one--as only YOU can! LOL
Comment by Shelley "SoleMann" King on November 13, 2009 at 1:28pm
"To the best of my knowledge this incredibly rare piece of film is the only one of two pieces of footage ever shot at a session inside the studio known as the Snakepit"......HMMMMMMM, you know what i'm wondering don't you....LOL
Comment by Edie Antoinette on November 13, 2009 at 1:24pm
Unbelievable! She sure was getting down! I love it and thanks for the info. I was wondering who she was...you are the best!
Comment by Shelley "SoleMann" King on November 13, 2009 at 1:10pm
Yeah, she was getting down with The Fellas


Bobbye Hall - began her career playing in jazz clubs in Detroit when she was too young to buy the drinks served to the patrons. Her talent was soon recognized throughout the Motor City and led to a busy career recording in sessions with a number of Motown legends, including Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Patti La Belle and the vast majority of the Motown recording artists.

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