Vessie Simmons - The Journey is never Over

vessie simmons

MEMPHIS TN (IFS) -- The Ribbons 1963 Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya Marsh 45 202

The Ribbons aka The Sequins (6) aka The Sandpapers (Los Angeles) Personnel : Evelyn Doty Arthetta Gibson Lovie ? Vessie Simmons Discography : The Ribbons 1962 - Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya / My ...

This review is from: My Baby Said - Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya (Vinyl)

The only thing known for certain about the 1960s Girl Group known as The Ribbons (Arthetta Givan, Lovie Kinchion,

Evelyn Doty and Vessie Simmons) is that they had one nationally charting single in February 1963 and that was the # 81 Billboard Pop Hot 100 Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya, written by James Marcus Smith (better known as P.J. Proby), and which was produced by Marshall Lieb and distributed on the tiny Los Angeles-based Marsh M-202 b/w My Baby Said.

Devoted collectors of everything and anything by the Girl Groups will tell you it's impossible to find in a quality CD. In fact, I was surprised that the great Ace of London series Early Girls didn't have it, as those volumes are replete with such groups who are not only even more obscure than The Ribbons, but who never did boast a nationally-charted single.

They do have a version of the song in Volume 3 of that series, but it's the one done that year by Suzie Clark on Rendezvous 196, which did not chart. In the liner notes, Mick Patrick indicates his preference for the latter by saying "while not necessarily proving that the original is always best, the fight was won by The Ribbons."

That, of course, boils down to nothing more than a matter of opinion, and in choosing to ignore The Ribbons' version they figuratively thumb their noses at that element of the market seeking hits.

And, apart from three releases a bit later at the equally-obscure Renfro Records billed as The Sequins, that seems to be the only time they appeared on record as The Ribbons.

So, the mere fact they were able to break into the Hot 100 at all and for a label that likely had zero funding for promotion, tells you this is one Girl Group whose lone claim to national fame should at least be included in one quality CD compilation with appropriately cleaned up sound.

It's certainly good enough to have become a higher-charting entry on both the Hot 100 and R &B charts had it been in the hands of at least one of the better independents.

As The Sequins it appears they released That Boy b/w He's A Flirt (Renfro 113), He's A Flirt (re-issue) b/w A Case Of Love (Renfro 126) and He's A Flirt (re-issue) b/w You're All I Need (Renfro 218). They may also have performed - if not recorded - as The Sandpapers.

The Ikettes – Was Vessie Simmons A Member Or Not?

Does anyone know if Vessie Simmons was ever an Ikette?  Vessie was from LA and made some good solo records in the early to mid 70's, prior to that she had been in a number of groups.

While in Los Angeles in late 1994, Kenny Smith, then CEO/president of D-Town Records was in negotiations with Merrell Fankhauser to manufacturer and distribute his new Impacts release “Surfin’ 101” and to film Merrell’s Channel America Television show.

On the show was Vessie Simmons, Marvin and Johnny, Jewel Atkins, Frankie Ervin (of the Shields) and Mars Bonfire (of Steppenwolf).  The after party included the company of Simmons and Smith talking about helping her with distribution for her Simco Records label.

Along this line of promotion and distribution, Smith agreed to handle the Simco label and other past, present and future products.  Smith explained to Simmons that he was working on a plan to use “Digital Distribution”, as it was a young idea and very new to the music industry.

Simmons career is varied as any artist in the business.  Simmons did say to Smith, that she was a member of the Ikettes for a very short time, as she received her teaching degree and began her full time career in the Los Angeles School District for many years.

As a member of the Ikettes, it was between 1963-64 for one season.  The issue came about the use of drugs, as Simmons was not into “getting up” before the show that was full powered behind Tina Turner.  The dancing moves were very difficult and she was not that physical on moving that way on stage.  So her career as an Ikette came to a sudden end.

As with most artists of that time, it was not uncommon to “cover” for other artists in different groups on tour.  Simmons, Darlene Love, Clydie King, Carlena Williams, and many many others “covered” for sick members who failed to get to the job, and a quick telephone call would make the act very whole, where they could collect their nights money and get on to the next show.  In those days, it was all about the “body count”, you had to have “X” bodies on the stage according to the contract to get paid.

A Short discography of the Ribbons with Vessie Simmons

The Ribbons -- Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya / My Baby Said (Marsh 202; 1962)

--- " --- -- After Last Night /* This Is Our* (Marsh 203; 1963)

--- " --- -- They Played A Sad Song / Melodie D'amour (Parkway 912; 1964)

Evelyn Doty & The Ribbons*-- Teach Me How To*Dance / I'd Like To Be (Gramo 107; 1964)****

The Sequins* -- I'll Be Satisfied / Who Says You Can't Jerk (A & M 761; 1965)

The Sandpapers -- Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya / My Baby Said (Charger 114; 1965 - JUST A RE-RELEASE)

.............. she was also probably in another group ...........

The Buttons & Beaus - "Never Leave Your Sugar/Twistin' Blues"* (Zen 104)*

"Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya" was a big hit in LA & made the US charts, the song being composed by P.J. Proby.*

The Claim of the “Fake” Shirelles and Federal Government prosecution

Anyway, she was solo (& recording again) by 1970 and later she ran a 'fake' set of Shirelles (though she always claimed that she had been in the group in earlier days). She was prosecuted by the Federal Government for her 'Shirelles' activities in 1975 and so stopped running her version of the group from then.

Simmons was a “spare” singer for most of the groups in Los Angeles at that time in history, including a short career with Gladys Horton and the Marvelettes.  As it was stated above, to fill a contract, it was all about “bodies” on the stage, and Simmons was in demand to help a performing group fill the bill of the group when a member was unable to perform.

Marvellettes

When one of the original members of one of the Shirelles splinter groups quit, Simmons was a member of the group with that one original member.  As time passed, and the dates for performances and payments made in advance to the promoter, Simmons found herself in the middle of a court law suit, that really had nothing to do with her, but mostly with the promoter who kept booking the group.

Shirelles

It’s the same old song, with the Temptations; David Ruffin’s Temptations; Eddie Kendrick’s Temptations; Richard Street’s Temptations, etc., and the beat goes on.

Simmons’s story in the law suit was so important, it was only printed on page 12 of the Redland Daily Facts in June 26, 1975. 

As to the Federal Government’s case, it was very weak, but do to the expense of the case, Simmons ended up working for free and had to reimbursed all of the money she made to the “real” Shirelles.  Upon that decision, Simmons who had earned her teaching degree began full time in the Los Angeles City Schools District, thereby “disappearing” into her career.

However, Simmons did not just disappear, she continued recording and releasing records on her Simco Records label for many year after that, with distribution deals in Japan, United Kingdom and Canada.

Simmons also worked with Bobby Sanders as a background singer in “sweetening” many sessions, including Charles Wright, Barry White, Aretha Franklin, Peter Frampton, and many other groups of that time.