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| Love Committee |
| The Love Committee on first glance might seem like a flash-in-the pan, but in actuality the group, founded by Ron Tyson, evolved from another group and Tyson had a rich musical history.
Ron Tyson was born February 8, 1948 in Monroe, N.C. Tyson grew up in Philadelphia, P.A. and woodshedded with various groups before forming The Ethics from singers he befriended at talent shows. Tyson, Andrew "Bike" Collins, Joe Freeman, and Carl "Nugie" Enlow formed a quartet with a range similar to the Temptations, who they emulated. In 1967, Thaddeus Wales started producing The Ethics, their first single appeared on the Wales label, then four for Vent Records, and a final single on Golden Fleece Records in 1974. Tyson had a hand in writing many of the tunes, In seven years, the Ethics didn't wax any major hits but cut some nice ones like "Sad, Sad Story," and "Farewell." Toward The Ethics waning years, Ron's songwriting talents started to bloom. Collaborating with Philly stalwarts like Norman Harris, Allan Felder, and Bruce Gray in various combinations. Tyson's songs appear as credited to Tyron Presson, Ronald Presson, and Ron Tyson depending on the affiliation. He became a key ingredient in the Eddie Kendricks' projects. While not comfy with the idea, Berry Gordy relented and allowed Kendricks to be produced outside the Motown family. Under the auspices of Norman Harris, Kendricks cut two underappreciated albums: "He's A Friend," and "Goin' Up In Smoke." The former contains one of Tyson's best, the romantic "You're A Part Of Me," it's a bonafide red-light special that got lost. None of Tyson's songs appeared on "Goin' Up In Smoke," but he contributed backing vocals, and merited a Very Special Thanks To, on the album cover along with Allan Felder. When The Temptations left Motown for Atlantic Records, Tyson was a key participant in the Tempts' two Atlantic albums, and co-wrote their most successful post-Motown single, "In A Lifetime." Tyson co-wrote "I Could Have Dance All Night," and the O'Jay ish "I Won't Leave You Honey Never," for Archie Bell & the Drells. He did the floating "Stringin' Me Along," for Blue Magic, and contributed two beauties for The Dells, the lilting "I Betcha Never Been Love Like This Before," and "Private Property." He played a big part in The Four Tops' Philly album by co-writing and producing five of the LPs eight songs with Norman Harris, including "H.E.L.P.," the oozy, sorrowful "Seclusion," and "Just In Time." First Choice, Double Exposure, the Three Degrees, Loleatta Holloway, The Salsoul Orchestra and more, have all used Tyson' songs. Still wanting to be part of a group after The Ethics, Ron immediately formed Love Committee with Joe Freeman, Norman Frazier, and Larry Richardson. Their first single dropped on Golden Fleece, the same year the label released a 45 on them as The Ethics. A second release, a remake of Eddie Kendricks' "Darling Come Back Home," fell on TSOP Records in 1975. Five more singles were issued on Ariola America, and Gold Mine Records with the 12" singles of "Cheaters Never Win," and "Law And Order" scoring as somewhat major hits. Their final two singles were products of T-Electric Records and featured a new member, Cleveland, Ohio native, Michael Bell replacing Richardson. Despite a slew of singles and a few albums Love Committee disbanded in the early 1980's. Tyson via his songwriting/producing activities, and appearing on shows with various groups, was no stranger to Motown or the Temptations. When Otis Williams started having problems with Glenn Leonard, due to an alleged alcohol problem, Tyson, blessed with a shimmering falsetto, got the nod. His first appearance came on "Back To The Basic," with leads on "Sail Away," and "Make Me Believe In Love." Ron is the Temptations' fourth replacement for Eddie Kendricks. (Damon Harris, Ricky Owens, and Glenn Leonard preceded him.) He also has the most tenure, Tyson joined the Tempts in 1983, which makes 21 years and running, Kendricks only sang 10 years with the Tempts. Unlike Damon Harris, the first Eddie Kendricks' replacement, Tyson's not a clone. Rickey Owens (Vibrations), never recorded with the Tempts. Glenn Leonard, like Tyson was not a Kendricks' clone either, but matched Eddie's intensity and fire. Tyson's more laid back—not as much as Damon was—but he improved with time like fine wine Watch him as he sings "Get Ready," he flows with melody and doesn't attack the lyrics like Kendricks, but then, he's not Kendricks he's Ron Tyson, a multi- talented artist who knew early that music was going to be his life's work. The only knock to his long career with the Tempts is that his writing has slowed, still he has nearly 200 songs to his credit. David Tyson, Ron's brother, sings with The Manhattans. |
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