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Asbury
Angels 2012 Inductions to
Asbury Park Music Boardwalk of Fame
Asbury Park, NJ
September 23, 2012
The Asbury Angels 2012 Inaugural Plaque Dedication Ceremony
took place Sunday, September 23 on the Asbury Park (NJ) Music Boardwalk of
fame (at 1st
Avenue). Each inductee was posthumously awarded a plaque on the back of
one of the benches that overlooks the ocean. The dedication was open
to the public and Classic Urban Harmony was there to cover the event, the
reception for inductees families and a memorial service for Joe Major, held
by his family. As advisors to the Asbury Angels Committee, we prepared
the bios for R&B vocal group pioneer Joe Major and Gospel singer and radio
personality Arthur Morris, both from Asbury Park's West Side. Scroll
down to see photos of the induction ceremony and the stories of two of the
inductees who had a huge influence on Asbury Park's west Side vocal harmony.
It was a beautiful day for the first annual induction
ceremony along the Asbury Park Boardwalk. There was not a cloud in the
sky and the temperature was in the high 70's with a nice breeze off of the
ocean. Our involvement with the Asbury Angels was as consultants to
the Nominating Committee and we researched and prepared the bios for Joe
Major and Arthur Morris, two pioneers of Asbury Park's West Side harmony.
Joe Major was an outstanding and influential
bass singer who started the vocal group, the Mar-Keys at Asbury Park High
School. He persuaded Lenny Welch to join his group, thereby starting
Lenny's career in singing. Joe Major also sang with Bobby Thomas'
Vibes and the Uniques (who later became the Broadways). Though Joe
Major recorded with the Uniques and at least one other West Side group, none
of his records were ever released. This did not stop him from being a
big influence on other Asbury Park singers.
Arthur Morris was the lead singer and
organizer of the Golden Harmonaires, one of Asbury Park's greatest Gospel
groups. He also hosted the hugely popular "Gospel Train" weekly radio
program for more than 15 years and helped bring major Gospel singers like
Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers, the Dixie Humming Birds and Swan Silvertones
to sing at Asbury Park. Arthur volunteered to mentor many of the vocal
groups of Asbury Park's East Side, including the Vibranaires, Mar-Keys,
Juveniles and many more.
Both Joe and Arthur have passed on some time
ago and their contributions to Asbury Park music have been largely
overlooked until now. For a detailed history of vocal harmony on
Asbury Park's West Side, click on our two part series of article, reprinted
here at the following links...
Asbury
Park Vocal Groups, Pt.1 and
Asbury
Park Vocal Groups Pt. 2.
Left: Joe Major (bottom right) with Bobby Thomas' Vibes. (photo
courtesy of the late Bobby Thomas).
Right: Arthur Morris (bottom center) with Golden Harmonaires.
(Photo by Joseph A. Carter Sr., courtesy of Madonna Carter Jackson)
Other inductees included Arthur Pryor (band leader and famed
trombonist), Bobby Alfano (keyboard player and member of many shore bands
including Bruce Springsteen's first band, The Castilles), Larry "Bozo" Blasco
(tour manager & technician), Bill Chinnock (singer, songwriter), Danny
Federici (keyboardist with E Street Band), John Luraschi (bass player), Tom &
Margaret Potter (club owners of The Upstage Club), Moe Septee (concert
promoter) and Clarence Clemons (saxophonist with Broadways and E Street Band).
For bios of each of this year's inductees see
www.asburyangels.com.
The famous Asbury Park music venue, The Stone Pony
Joe Major's family
Arthur Morris' family
Arthur Morris' sons, Caleb & Arthur Morris Jr.
Charlie Horner & Caleb Morris (Singer with The Juveniles)
The Induction Ceremony
Cutting the ribbon to the AP Music Boardwalk of Fame
Joe Major's family
Joe Major's family in front of his plaque
Joe Major Plaque
Arthur Morris Jr., Mrs. & Mr. Caleb Morris
Arthur Morris Plaque
Following the Induction Ceremony, there was a reception for
inductees family members and those of us connected with the Asbury Angels
Foundation, held at the Stella Marina Restaurant at First Avenue on the
Boardwalk.
The Reception
Asbury Angels' board member Eileen Chapman, Charlie & Pam
Horner
(Photo courtesy of John Cavanaugh, Stone Pony Staff Photographer)
Entertainment was supplied by Marc Ribler (guitar) and Arne
Wendt (keyboard)
Marc introduced his composition "Asbury Angels" which will become
the Foundation's theme song.
View from the Stella Marina deck
The Reception
Following the reception, we were invited to a memorial service
for Joe Major, held at Chico's House of Jazz on Lake Street. Though Joe
passed away in 1978, this was a time when the entire family could be brought
together to celebrate his life.
Joe Major Memorial
Above a photo of Joe with the Mar-Keys
Joe Major Memorial
Joe Major Memorial
Above a photo of Joe with Bobby Thomas' Vibes
What a great start to the Asbury Angels program! And this
is just the beginning. We're already at work on selecting next year's
inductees.
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2012. All
Rights Reserved.
