Music
Richard "Popcorn" Wylie
1939–2008 · pianist, bandleader, songwriter, producer
Detroit pianist whose high-school band Popcorn and the Mohawks fed Motown's studio, who played on "Shop Around" and later produced northern soul classics.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
Detroit, Michigan
aged 69- Birth name
- Richard Wayne Wylie
- Also known as
- Popcorn Wylie
- Detroit years
- 1939–2008
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Wylie was born in Detroit and got his nickname at Northwestern High School for popping out of the football huddle. There he led Popcorn and the Mohawks, a band that included future Motown figures James Jamerson, Eddie Willis, Lamont Dozier and Norman Whitfield, and he fronted it in a homemade Mohawk headdress. He met engineer Robert Bateman at the 20 Grand nightclub and began recording for Motown, played piano on the Miracles' "Shop Around" (1960) and worked as a session player until a 1962 falling-out with Berry Gordy. He then freelanced as writer, producer and pianist for Detroit labels such as Ric-Tic and Golden World, worked closely with Edwin Starr and J. J. Barnes, and started his own labels, Pameline and SoulHawk. "Funky Rubber Band" (1971) was his biggest solo hit. His records later became prized on the British northern soul scene. He died at home in Detroit in 2008.
Highlights
- Led Popcorn and the Mohawks at Northwestern High School
- Piano on the Miracles' "Shop Around" (1960)
- Produced for Ric-Tic and Golden World; worked with Edwin Starr and J. J. Barnes
- "Funky Rubber Band" (1971): R&B Top 40
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 4
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.
Studied here · 1950s
Northwestern High School (now Detroit Collegiate Preparatory Academy at Northwestern)
He led Popcorn and the Mohawks here with future Motown musicians.
Performed here · c. 1960
The 20 Grand
Demolished
He performed at the club, where he met Motown engineer Robert Bateman. The site is now a grass lot.
Recorded here · 1960–1962
Motown Museum
Played piano on "Shop Around" and other early Motown sessions.
Buried here · 2008
Woodlawn Cemetery
His grave (per Wikidata).