Not Very Important…..

MOTOWN’S V.I.P. Record Label

According to the site “Motown Junkies” the V.I.P. label was formed in late 1963 to “promote primarily West Coast material and California artists”… similar to another Motown endeavor 10 years later with “MoWest”.

Apparently when a group or artist was assigned to V.I.P. it was a clear sign that your career at Motown was doomed – Not to say that it laced in talent – with Chuck Jackson, The Spinners and The Velvelettes all on board (and other talents as well).  Motown placed several white acts on V.I.P. as well.

The first release came in late 1963 by Patrice Holloway – VIP 25001 “Stevie” b/w The Boy of My Dreams” which did not receive any air play attention and resulted in very few copies being pressed.  Patrice would go on to land a recording contract and release several sides with Capitol Records.  And yes, she is the younger sister of Motown recording artist Brenda Holloway.  Patrice passed away in 2006.

The label continued until early 1973 and then called it quits.

  

V.I.P. 45 DISCOGRAPY 1960’S – 1970’S

VIP 25001 – Patrice Holloway – December, 1963

Brenda Holloway’s little sister

 

VIP 25002 – The Serenaders – January, 1964

 

 

VIP 25003 – Joanie and the Triangles – March, 1964

 

VIP 25004 – The Hornets – March, 1964

 

VIP 25005 – R. Dean Taylor – My Lady Bug Stay Away From That Beatle/Poor Girl – 1964 (unreleased)

VIP 25006 – The Andantes – March, 1964

 

VIP 25007 – The Downbeats – Do You Know What I’m Talkin’ About/You Say You Love Me – July, 1964 (unreleased)

(image from Marv Goldberg site Downbeats would morph into Motown’s Elgins)

VIP 25007 – The Velvelettes – October, 1964 – #31 (#45)

 

VIP 25008 – Oma Heard – Lifetime Man/Mr. Lonely Heart – September, 1964

VIP 25009 – Mickey McCullers – Same Old Story/Who You Gonna Run To – October, 1964

VIP 25010 – The Majestics – Hello Love/The Further You Look, The Less You See – October, 1964 (unreleased)

VIP 25011 – The Headliners – October, 1964

 

VIP 25012 – Ray Oddis – September, 1964

 

VIP 25013 – The Velvelettes – January, 1965 – #64 (#21)

 

VIP 25015 – Hattie Littles – Conscience I’m Guilty/You Got Me Worried – April, 1965 (unreleased)

VIP 25016 – The Vows – May, 1965

 

VIP 25017 – The Velvelettes – May, 1965

 

VIP 25018 – The Lewis Sisters – May, 1965

 

VIP 25019 – Danny Day – June, 1965

Composer Jimmy Webb worked for Motown for a brief time this being a couple of his songs

 

VIP 25022 – Richard Anthony – August, 1965

 

VIP 25023 – Little Lisa – August, 1965

 

VIP 25024 – The Lewis Sisters – August, 1965

 

VIP 25025 – The Dalton Boys – October, 1965

 

VIP 25026 – The Headliners – October, 1965

The Headliners were a white rock group from Florida who recorded at Motown playing their own instruments.

 

VIP 25027 – R. Dean Taylor – October, 1965

Taylor before Indiana wanted him….

 

VIP 25028 – The Monitors – January, 1966 – #36

 

VIP 25029 – The Elgins – February, 1966 – #4 (#72)

 

VIP 25030 – The Velvelettes – November, 1965

 

VIP 25031 – Chris Clark – December, 1965

 

VIP 25032 – The Monitors – April, 1966 – #21 (#100)

 

VIP 25033 – The Mynah Birds – It’s My Time/Go Ahead and Cry – 1966 (unreleased)

Rick James and Neil Young were both members

VIP 25035 – Rick, Robin & Him – June, 1966

 

VIP 25036 – The LaSalles – June, 1966

 

VIP 25036 – The LaSalles – June, 1966

VIP 25037 – The Elgins – September, 1966 – #9 (#50)

 

VIP 25038 – Chris Clark – October, 1966 – #41 (#105)

 

VIP 25039 The Monitors – November, 1966

 

VIP 25040 – The Underdogs – January, 1967

 

VIP 25041 – Chris Clark – February, 1967

 

VIP 25042 – R. Dean Taylor – March, 1967

VIP 25043 – The Elgins – August, 1967 – #92 (#35)

 

VIP 25044 – Debbie Dean – January, 1968

 

VIP 25045 – R. Dean Taylor – April, 1968

 

VIP 25046 – The Monitors – April, 1968

 

VIP 25047 – The Honest Men – April, 1969

 

VIP 25050 – The Spinners – October, 1969

 

VIP 25051 – The Lollipops – October, 1969

 

VIP 25052 – Chuck Jackson – November, 1969

 

VIP 25053 – Bobby Taylor – January, 1970

 

VIP 25054 – The Spinners – February, 1970

 

VIP 25055 – Ivy Jo – March, 1970

(Ivy Joe Hunter)

 

VIP 25056 – Chuck Jackson – May, 1970

 

VIP 25057 – The Spinners – July, 1970 – #14 (#4)

 

VIP 25058 – Hearts Of Stone – September, 1970

 

VIP 25059 – Chuck Jackson – January, 1971

 

VIP 25060 – The Spinners – January, 1971 – #89 (#20)

 

VIP 25061 – King Floyd – April, 1971

 

VIP 25062 – P. J. – April, 1971

 

VIP 25063 – Ivy Jo – March, 1971

 

VIP 25064 – Hearts of Stone – May, 1971

 

VIP 25065 – The Elgins – September, 1971

 

VIP 25066 – The Stylists – June, 1971

 

VIP 25068 – Tony & Carolyn – November, 1961

 

VIP 25069 – The Posse – February, 1973

 

VIP 25033 – The Mynah Birds – Special Record Day Release – 2012

 

 

V.I.P. Long Play Discography

LP – VIP 400 – The Elgins – Darling Baby – Released October, 1966 – Did not chart

 

 

LP – VIP 402 – The Abbey Tavern Singers – We’re Off to Dublin In the Green – Released November, 1966 – Did not chart

 

LP – VIP 403 – Chuck Jackson – Teardrops Keep Fallin’ On My Heart – Released September, 1970 – Did not chart

 

 

LP – VIP 404 – Hearts of Stone – Stop the World – We Wanna Get On – Released October, 1970 – Did not chart

 

LP – VIP 405 – The Spinners – 2nd Time Around – Released November, 1970 – Charted November 14th, 1970 – #199

 

LP – VIP 407 – King Floyd – Heart of the Matter – Released April, 1971 – Did not chart