Pervis Jackson, The Spinners' "Mr. 12:45," Dead

By Mr. Moderator on Aug 20, 2008

Link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080818/ENT04/80818027/1039/ENT04

Pervis Jackson, the baritone vocalist for The Spinners, best known for his "12:45..." line in "They Just Can't Stop It (Games People Play)", has died at 70. You can see Jackson lip-sync his legendary part at the 2:09 mark in the following clip. See if you can control yourself from trying to sing along with him.

After years as a second-rate act on Motown, The Spinners found their sound in Philadelphia in the early '70s, when they fell under the production of Philadelphia International's Thom Bell and the MSFB studio musicians. Their numerous hits on Atlantic Records are among my favorite sounds of my preteen and early teen years. Lovely, romantic stuff! For those of you with a taste for this sort of sophisticated '70s soul, I heartily recommend A One of a Kind Love Affair: The Anthology. It collects the best of the band's work from their stops in both the Motor City and the so-called City of Brotherly Love.

The band also knew how to have a good time. Have any of you ever heard The Rumour's cover of the following song?

Previously, in the News!

Tags: he was a great...man
Comment from: Rick Massimo [Member] Email
I saw The Spinners last year, and when they introduced Pervis Jackson they said, "Bet you can figure which one Pervis is!" He then took the mike and intoned "12:45 ..." It was great and sad at the same time.
08/20/08 @ 16:01
Comment from: Al [Member] Email
Thanks Mr. Mod for that clip of "Rubberband Man"; dare I say it's great!!!!!!!

This clip makes me ask the question: Are there any black vocal groups anymore or did rap and hip-hop put the end to that? Is anyone today doing choreography as seen in this video?
08/20/08 @ 16:32
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
I can't answer your question, Al. I still see choreography with hip-hop groups, but as I've said before, African American pop music seems to move ahead at a much less-nostalgic pace than "white" pop music: new beats, new production... Beside Prince there are few African American artists who seem to ever go retro in any way.
08/20/08 @ 17:34
Comment from: mac [Member] Email
Probably known more in the 80's and 90's as a precursor to vocal groups like "Boys II Men," but still touring and putting out albums:

Take 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgTeqcYZLZA&feature=related

&

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mypu7kM_chE&feature=related

they're probably a bit more gospel and jazz, but I think they still fit the bill.

Vocal Groups like Back Street Boys and N'Sync killed the vocal group more then hip-hop and rap I think.

Who could consider a vocal group cool after that.

I am interested if the resurgence of the Motown sound will bring in any retro vocal groups though. I would be interested in seeing if maybe Dangermouse and Cee-Lo will pull a group together and make the vocal group cool again.

08/20/08 @ 18:30
Comment from: BigSteve [Member] Email
I've been meaning to mention that I have in fact heard the Rumour version of Rubberband Man. I no longer have it, but it was on that album where they're dressed in paisley against a paisley background.

It seems that only the American version of the LP, and this track has never made it into the Cd era. I remember it as being fine, but I was probably less familiar with the original when I heard it.

I can guarantee that the Rumour did not do those elaborate rubberband dances while singing the song.
08/21/08 @ 15:35
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
I'll have to pull out that Rumour album and share that cover some day. I LOVE that album cover! So stupid!
08/22/08 @ 00:10

Comments are not allowed from anonymous visitors.

« Casting Call: The Eagles (win an honest to god prize!)First Iggy Pop, Now This »