Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
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Biography
Founded in 1964, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheelsâ brand of revved-up R&B was extremely influential even though the bandâs lifespan lasted only three years. The members first came together when white soul singer William Levise, Jr. joined forces with a local Detroit rock band featuring Jim McCarty (guitar), Johnny Badanjek (drums), and Earl Elliot (bass). William Levise, Jr. changed his name to Billy Lee and the band christened themselves the Rivieras. The band was discovered by songwriter and producer Bob Crewe, and they moved to New York to begin recording sessions. Discovering that there was already a band called the Rivieras, William Levise, Jr. changed his name to Mitch Ryder and the band became the Detroit Wheels. Their first single, 1965âs âI Need Help (Help Help)â, failed to chart, but they hit the Top 10 with their third single, âJenny Take a Rideâ. The bandâs first two albums â Take a Ride and Breakout! â were released in 1966. The single âLittle Latin Lupe Luâ reached Number 17 on the charts followed by the massive hits âDevil with a Blue Dress Onâ (Number 4) and âSock It to Me â Babyâ (Number 6). By this time, the bandâs membership had changed as more focus was put on vocalist Mitch Ryder. In 1967, Bob Crewe convinced Mitch Ryder to quit the band and pursue a career as a solo blue-eyed soul singer. The band continued as the Detroit Wheels for two singles before splitting up. Jim McCarty became a member of hard rock band before rejoining his Detroit Wheels bandmate Johnny Badanjek in a band called the Rockets. Mitch Ryder released several solo albums but never achieved the same level of fame he had enjoyed with the Detroit Wheels.
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Albums
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- Too Many Fish In The Sea/Three Little Fishes by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
- I Need Help
- Baby Jane by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
- I Can't Hide It
- Devil With A Blue Dress On
- Slow Fizz
- I Never Had It Better
- I Like It Like That by Mitch Ryder
- I Had It Made by Mitch Ryder
- Breakout by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
- Takin' All I Can Get by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
- Shake a Tail Feather
- You Get Your Kicks by Mitch Ryder
- A Face in the Crowd
- Joy by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
- Wild Child
- Shakin' With Linda
- Ooh Poo Pah Doo
- Just A Little Bit by Mitch Ryder
- Shakedown
- I Hope
- Sticks and Stones by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
- (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone by Walter Lure
