MIKKI
In 1963, David White and John Madara were approached by a Cleveland girl group called the Secrets, who had secured a recording contract after playing at a gig with the Starfires (also of Cleveland and later evolving into the Outsiders). They used their influence to release a single in October 1963 on Philips Records, “The Boy Next Door” b/w “Learnin’ To Forget” that became a #18 hit. The Secrets released three other unsuccessful singles on Philips Records that each featured a David White/John Madara penned song. The “A” side on one single that is shown in Discogs, “Here He Comes Now!” b/w “Oh Donnie (He Ain’t Got No Money)” was co-written by legendary “Philly soul” producer Leon Huff, who also worked with past UARA Mikki.
(August 2015)
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For the first in the Rock and Religion series, the UARA Mikki is African American, at last. Stratavarious probably is also, but there is no doubt with Mikki. For the most recent, Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters does not fit the title “rock band” in the slightest, but I put ’em in anyway.
(Year 5 Review)
