Gordon Keith (producer) facts for kids

Gordon Keith (born William Henry Adams Jr.) (August 12, 1939 – November 17, 2020) was an American music producer. He was the first person to sign the famous Jackson 5 to a recording contract and release their songs.

In 1966, Gordon Keith and four friends started Steeltown Records in Gary, Indiana. Each partner could find, record, and sign local music talent. Gary was known for its great music and dance scene. Famous musicians like Vivian Carter, who founded VeeJay Records, and the Spaniels, a popular doo-wop group, came from Gary. Keith said that each Steeltown partner found their own artists. They were responsible for them and kept any profits. Steeltown Records was like a big umbrella for all their projects. Keith also mentioned that he became a solo singer in the 1960s. He was tired of young singers not being disciplined or committed. So, he looked for talented artists who were also professional and dedicated.

First Recordings with Jackson 5

Gordon Keith recorded and produced four songs by the Jackson 5 in 1967. These were released on the Steeltown label. The most famous song was the Jackson 5's first single, "Big Boy". It was sung by Michael Jackson.

Keith signed the Jackson 5 to a six-month contract on November 21, 1967. This was surprising because many other record labels in the area had turned them down. After "Big Boy" was released on January 31, 1968, it became popular on the radio. It sold well in the Chicago-Gary area.

The Jackson 5 recorded "Big Boy" at Sunny Sawyer's studio in Chicago. This studio was in a lively area known for its Chicago Soul music. It had many talented musicians, songwriters, and studios. The song "Big Boy" showed so much quality and potential. Because of this, Jerry Wexler from Atlantic Records contacted Keith. On March 5, they made a deal for ATCO, a part of Atlantic Records, to share "Big Boy" across the country.

Atlantic Records/Atco in New York City made and sent out thousands of "Big Boy" records. These records had both the Steeltown label and the Atco label. Many of these original records still exist today. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame owns a copy of one of the first "Big Boy"/"You Changed" records. It was even on display there in 2010.

Discovering the Jackson 5

Gordon Keith often saw posters around Gary advertising a young group. They were called the Jackson Five Plus Johnny. (Johnny Jackson was the drummer, but not related to the five brothers). Keith was curious about how often these signs appeared. It showed him how committed the group was to their music.

Keith wanted to meet the Jackson 5 and their father, Joe Jackson. He got their phone number from local musicians called the Sherl Brothers. They, like the Jackson 5, took lessons from a music teacher named Shirley Cartman. Keith called Joe Jackson and was invited to their home in Gary. He went to see the boys perform.

Keith remembered the performance: "They set up right in the living room. The furniture was pushed back. They and their equipment filled most of the room. The whole family was there; Janet was a baby. They were getting ready, and there was a thick cord between two amps near Michael. It came up to his chest. From where he was standing, without a running start, he jumped straight up over this cord! He had all my attention after that. I knew I was looking at a superhuman boy. When they sang, Michael sang like an angel. Jermaine also had a great voice. Jackie could sing well. Marlon could really dance. But when Michael danced while singing, he was amazing. They sang songs by James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Smokey Robinson, and the Temptations. I was completely amazed."

Signing the Jackson 5

Michael Jackson was just over nine years old when Keith signed the Jackson 5 in 1967. Keith did what no one else in the area had done, even though many record companies knew about the group. Keith had a recording studio in his home basement. But he took the Jackson 5 to Sunny Sawyer's studio in Chicago. He liked its sound and wanted to use the talented singers and musicians found there.

The most important song from these sessions was "Big Boy." It was written by Chicago musician Eddie Silvers. "Big Boy" was played a lot on radio stations in the Chicago-Northwest Indiana area. It was first played on WWCA-AM 1270 radio in Gary. This was the first time Michael Jackson and his brothers heard themselves on the radio.

In a TV movie about the Jackson family, The Jacksons: An American Dream, the first Jackson 5 song was wrongly shown as "Kansas City." But "Big Boy" was actually their first song. "Big Boy" featured Michael's strong lead singing. It had powerful vocal harmonies and, as Michael Jackson said, "a killer bass line." It showed Michael's early soulful style, which was different from the pop sound of Motown.

To sign the Jackson 5, Keith needed permission from others who were trying to work with them. Famous radio DJs E. Rodney Jones and Pervis Spann from Chicago's black AM radio station WVON told Keith they had spent a lot of money on the Jacksons. But they still couldn't get them a record deal. Many record labels were in Chicago then. Even Motown sent back tapes from Joe Jackson without any comments. The DJs told Keith to try if he thought he could succeed.

Keith then talked to the Leaner Brothers. They owned a local record label called One-derful!. George and Ernie Leaner also let Keith work with the Jacksons. Eddie Silvers was the music director for One-derful! Records at that time. Keith's story led to a discovery in August 2009. The Leaners' children found a master recording in their archives. It was a Jackson 5 song called "I'm A Big Boy Now" (which was "Big Boy"). This recording was from July 13, 1967. This was even before Keith's Steeltown recording of "Big Boy." The Leaner brothers had told Keith they didn't have any Jackson 5 recordings.

It's interesting to note that another singing group of siblings, the Five Stairsteps, were also popular then. They were being produced in Chicago by Curtis Mayfield. They only had one big hit. Perhaps they were part of the reason the Jackson 5 couldn't get signed in Chicago. Also, Berry Gordy, the owner of Motown, didn't want the trouble of working with young artists. He was already having issues with Stevie Wonder in Detroit.

In May 2009, Gordon Keith put some items from the Steeltown era up for auction. These included many new copies of "Big Boy" on 45 rpm records. He also had 100 copies of "We Don't Have To Be Over 21 (to Fall in Love)." Keith said, "I could use the money... I got these guys started... I didn't truly get real money for it."

Death

Gordon Keith passed away on November 17, 2020.

Other Artists and Groups

Keith also managed and produced music for these artists:

• Maxine Crayton – "Don't Take Your Love" / "You Better Stop": Steeltown (#670, 1967)
• Ripples & Waves Plus Michael – "Let Me Carry Your Schoolbooks" / "I Never Had A Girl": Steeltown (#688, 1971)

Songs by Gordon Keith

Gordon Keith was also a singer. Here are some of his songs released on '45' records:

• "A Teenagers Answer": Tower Records (Promotional #383)
• Why Do't You Write (Lee Bates) / "Look Ahead" (Keith): Dragon Records
• "I'll Try To Please You" / "This Is How I Feel": One-Derful! Records (#4844, January 14, 1963)
• "Sweet And Kind" / "Don't Listen to the Grapevine": Steeltown (#686, 1968)
• "Look Ahead" / "Where Do I Go From Here": Calumet Records (#682, 1975)
• "I'll Try To Please You": Steel Town Records (#688, A/B)
• "Tell the Story" / "Don't Take Kindness For Weakness": Steeltown Records (1981)

See also

• List of record labels
• List of songs recorded by the Jackson 5