August 1965, London
Since I’ve now been ushered into the hallowed circle of young British R&B enthusiasts who have formed fan clubs for American artists, it’s time for an ‘audience’ with the man who’s dubbed ‘The Godfather of R&B’ in Britain. Gloria Marcantonio of the Dionne Warwick & Shirelles Fan Club wants to introduce to Dave Godin, who started the Mary Wells fan club which had morphed into the Tamla Motown Appreciation Society in 1964. Dave has heard that I’ve started a club for Nina Simone and has told Gloria he wants to meet me. I go with her to his home in Bexleyheath: I’m definitely intimidated by his presence. He’s 12 years older than me, tall, bearded, somewhat foreboding. I feel like I’m being ‘interviewed’ about my newly-found love for R&B! Dave plays me three records “Every Little Bit Hurts” by Brenda Holloway, “Giving Up” by Gladys Knight & The Pips and “Let Me Down Easy” by Betty Lavette. At 17! I don’t know then how meeting the somewhat fearsome Mr. Godin will impact my life immeasurably in the years that follow…
