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

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

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.

[Edie Antoinette]

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

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Mama Edie, i don't know what i was thinking that day, ain't no telling how many people laughed at me....ROFLMBO

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Russ Terrana (The engineer standing up) is The Moderator at The Soulful Detroit Site i belong to

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

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

[Edie Antoinette]

At least you have these--wonderful memories! I know why you got them sandals on, too! LOL

[KnightD12]

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.

[Edie Antoinette]

*clicking timer* Hurup and find the otha one--as only YOU can! LOL

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

"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

[Edie Antoinette]

Unbelievable! She sure was getting down! I love it and thanks for the info. I was wondering who she was...you are the best!

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

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.