Music
C. P. Spencer
1938–2004 · singer, songwriter, producer
Detroit tenor who was an original member of the Spinners and the Voice Masters and later lead tenor of Motown's Originals.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
aged 66- Birth name
- Crathman Plato Spencer
- Also known as
- Crathman Spencer
- Detroit years
- 1938–1970s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Spencer was a native of Detroit and part of the city's tight network of 1950s vocal groups: he was an original member of the Spinners and of the Voice Masters, the Anna Records group whose alumni included Lamont Dozier, David Ruffin and Melvin Franklin. In 1966 he became lead tenor of the Originals, formed with Freddie Gorman, Walter Gaines and Hank Dixon. For several years the quartet worked mostly as uncredited backing singers on Motown sessions, behind Jimmy Ruffin's "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" and Stevie Wonder's "For Once in My Life", before Marvin Gaye wrote and produced their hits "Baby, I'm for Real" and "The Bells" in 1969–1970. Spencer left in the early 1970s for a solo career and production work. He died of a heart attack in 2004.
Highlights
- Original member of the Spinners and the Voice Masters
- Lead tenor of the Originals from 1966
- Sang on "Baby, I'm for Real" (1969) and "The Bells" (1970)
- Backing vocals on "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted"
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Recorded here · 1966–early 1970s
Motown Museum
The Originals sang backup on many Motown sessions and recorded their own hits here.