Gallery

Here we showcase some of the singers and musicians who performed on the Melody Rain recordings. We are humbled by their talent and very fortunate to collaborate with them.

Guitarist John McGhee has a stellar resume in the recording industry. In addition to playing guitar with the hit band L.T.D. (Love, Togetherness, and Devotion), John recorded with top R&B and Soul artists. He shared a hit record with Marvin Gaye (#1 Billboard hit "Got to Give It Up"). In this interview John tells behind-the-scenes stories of recording with all the greats of popular music. His insights into music, music business, and life as a black musician are priceless. We are honored to have recorded them for posterity.

Contents Guide

0:00 Introducing John McGhee.
0:41 Early days in Chicago playing with The Five Stairsteps.
6:20 Playing at The Apollo, getting robbed at The Regal.
7:14 Quincy Jones produces a session for John and his bandmates.
8:43 The Chitlin' Circuit, impromptu lessons from Norman Harris and others.
11:12 Session work in Chicago. Moving to LA and meeting Verdeen White, Henry Davis.
16:35 John joins LTD on A & M Records. Working with producers Larry and Fonce Manzel, and Bobby Martin. James Davis is LTD Music Director.
30:07 Friendship with Art Stewart and Marvin Gaye. Saving Marvin's #1 Billboard hit Got to Give It Up.
40:00 An experience in Tokyo: young Japanese kids meet a black man.
41:31 Working with James Jamerson.
46:46 John gives thanks to his wife and tells how he ended up in the Twin Cities.