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Last Updated:
Mar 19th, 2008 - 07:43:02 |
Legendary Voice of Rock
Scott Morgan
Back in the golden days of AM radio, when “Keener 13” and “The Big 8 CKLW” ruled the airwaves, local artists could actually be heard blasting out of the car speakers alongside the likes of the Beatles, the Stones and Motown Artists. One of the first to be heard, and one of the best, were the Rationals, featuring a teenage blue-eyed soul shouter named Scott Morgan. The Rationals, formed when Morgan was 14, were the kings of the garage scene. They regularly filled the clubs, and their cover version of Otis Redding’s "Respect" spurred a young Aretha Franklin to cover the song. Fast forward some 40 years later, Morgan is still kicking it out locally with Powertrane and internationally with two Swedish-based bands, the hard rocking Hydromatics and the 12-piece soul sensations, The Solution. Along the way, he was one fourth of the greatest and most underrated band in the history of Detroit rock 'n' roll, the Sonic’s Rendezvous Band, who also featured Fred “Sonic” Smith from the MC 5, Scott Asheton from The Stooges and Gary Rasmussen from The Up. Real D had a chance to catch up to Scott before he heads off to Sweden.
What made you want to be a musician?
I think I realized very young that I wanted to sing when I saw someone sing in church. Next, I decided to get a guitar and learn that. I kind of envisioned myself as a little Elvis until I saw someone playing a Fender Telecaster. Then the Beatles hit and we started writing songs. That was about all we needed.
Is music always what you wanted to do?
I thought about a career in some “normal” business, but by the time I got out of high school the Rationals had already taken off and my future was cast.
How did you hook up with the Hellacopters guys to form the Hydromatics?
I hooked up with the Hellacopters in New York, September 1998. We recorded “Downright Blue” for Sub Pop. I ended up playing “City Slang” with them as an encore at CBGB’s. From there Nick Royale suggested that we record together.
How did the Solution come to be?
Nick and I had planned to do a project together for about a year before I called him and asked him if he’d like to record a soul record. I had made him a tape of my singles, and he had been collecting soul music on his own. We recorded at Atlantis Studios in Stockholm. We used singers and horns and tried to get the feel of '60s recordings like those done at the Motown, Stax and Muscle Shoals/Fame Studios. Now our second album is coming out Dec. 27 in Sweden.
What spurs you on to do music today?
I really don’t know how to do anything else since music is all I’ve ever done. I think I’m stuck with it, that’s probably too aloof. I really think I was born to do this.
*****
Not one to rest on his laurels, 2008 looks to be a busy year for Scott Morgan. Powertrane has just released a new CD called Beyond The Sound. Both the Hydromatics and the Solution have new CDs just released or just about to be released in Europe. Easy Action Records just released a box set by the Sonic’s Rendezvous Band, and look for a Rationals anthology to come out next year on the Ace/Big Beat label. | RDW
More info: scottmorganmusic.com
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