Remembering Esther Gordy Edwards

I was among the hundreds who attended the funeral of Esther Gordy Edwards in Detroit last week. I really do wish Esther could have seen and read Hype & Soul. I think it would have pleased her.

The media did a great job of reporting the details of the funeral, so I’m not going to repeat them here. But I wanted to share with you some photos my wife Nancy shot at the event. You’ll recognize Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves and Janie Bradford. But before you look at the photo of me with Brian and Eddie Holland (and Dennis Bowles, son and biographer of the legendary Beans Bowles in the middle), check out the photo elsewhere on this blog showing how the three of us looked in 1965.

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Great news for everyone who ordered their copy of Hype & Soul through the Soulvation special pre-publication offer.

Neil Rushton reports that all of the books ordered pre-publication were shipped on September 6. Watch your mailboxes!

Some reviewers have already weighed in with advance praise for the book. Take a look at what journalist Paul Nixon, compiler/producer of the UK’s A Cellarful of Motown series and Ray Ellis, writer and photographer for Juke Blues, have said:

Looks amazing is an understatement. This has to be THE Motown book or indeed music book of the past decade, fantastic pictures and terrific memorabilia - many things I've never seen before. Beautifully printed and collated - it's a must have for ANY Motown fan - you need to order your copy now if you haven't already, well done Al and Neil...

Paul Nixon

The book has arrived…and what an absolute visual delight! This visually stunning book is certainly well worth the wait! Chock full of previously unpublished material from the archives of its author, PR man Al Abrams plus many of Al's inimitable anecdotes make for an enticing read. I'm sure the book will be a sure-fire winner on this side of the pond!

Ray Ellis