Richard "Popcorn" Wylie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard "Popcorn" Wylie
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard Wayne Wylie |
| Also known as | Popcorn Wylie |
| Born | June 6, 1939 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | September 7, 2008 (aged 69) Detroit |
| Genres | R&B, Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist, songwriter, record producer |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1959–1990s |
| Labels | Motown Epic Pameline others |
| Associated acts | Popcorn and the Mohawks |
Richard Wayne Wylie (born June 6, 1939 – died September 7, 2008), known as Popcorn Wylie, was an American musician. He was a talented pianist, bandleader, songwriter, and record producer. Popcorn Wylie was very important in the early days of Motown Records, a famous music company. He also became well-known for his work in the Northern soul music style.
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Popcorn Wylie's Musical Journey
Popcorn Wylie was born in Detroit, Michigan. He came from a family who loved music, and he learned to play the piano when he was young. He got the nickname "Popcorn" in high school. He would quickly "pop" out of the football team's huddle during games.
Forming a Band
While still in high school, Popcorn Wylie started a music group called Popcorn and the Mohawks. Some of the people in his band later became famous musicians and producers at Motown. These included James Jamerson, Lamont Dozier, and Norman Whitfield. The band played at local places in Detroit. Popcorn Wylie would often wear a special Mohawk headdress he made himself when they performed.
Starting at Motown
In 1960, Popcorn Wylie released his first solo song, "Pretty Girl." He also played at a club in Detroit where he met Robert Bateman. Robert was an engineer at Berry Gordy's new Motown record label. Soon after, Popcorn Wylie began recording for Motown.
His band, Popcorn and the Mohawks, released a few songs like "Custer's Last Man" and a cover of "Money (That's What I Want)". Popcorn Wylie also played piano on some of Motown's biggest hits. He played on The Miracles' 1961 song "Shop Around" and The Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman". He worked with many other famous Motown artists too, like Marvin Gaye and The Supremes. He was even Motown's first head of A&R, which means he helped find new artists and songs. He also led the band for the first Motortown Revue tour in 1962.
Moving On
In 1962, Popcorn Wylie left Motown. He then signed with Epic Records and released four more songs. After that, he worked as a freelance songwriter, producer, and musician for many other record labels. He even started his own labels, Pameline and SoulHawk, in 1966.
During this time, he worked a lot with singers like Edwin Starr. He also helped write "I Spy (For the FBI)," a popular song for Jamo Thomas. Many songs he worked on became favorites in the Northern soul music scene in the UK. He also helped write "With This Ring," a hit song for The Platters in 1967.
Later Success
Popcorn Wylie started recording music again under his own name in 1968. He released songs like "Rosemary, What Happened?" and "Move Over Babe (Here Comes Henry)." In 1971, he briefly returned to Motown. There, he released his most successful solo song, "Funky Rubber Band." This instrumental song became a hit, reaching number 40 on the R&B chart.
In 1974, he recorded an album called Extrasensory Perception for ABC Records. He worked with talented arrangers like Gene Page on this album.
Discovering Northern Soul
For a while, Popcorn Wylie did not know how popular his older songs were in the UK's Northern soul scene. People in the UK loved to collect his old records. In the mid-1980s, he finally traveled to the UK to promote his music. He helped put together special music collections and worked with producer Ian Levine. He recorded new songs like "Love is My Middle Name" for Levine's Motorcity Records label. He also helped write songs for other Motown artists, including The Contours. In 2003, he appeared in a documentary film called The Strange World of Northern Soul.
Passing Away
Popcorn Wylie passed away at his home in Detroit in 2008. He was 69 years old and had been dealing with heart problems for some time.
