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Sam E Solo

Sam E. Solo was born Samuel Flournoy Jr on the 13th of July 1942 in Shreveport Louisiana, to parents Samuel and Ona Lee Flournoy. While still a babe in arms Sam's family moved to Flint Michigan. As many other southern families had done prior to and after them seeking a better life in the more industrial cities of the north. Sam's grandfather Isaac Epps a carpenter by trade and an ordained minister had moved north a year earlier taking up residence in Flint and it was he who the family first lived with until Sam's father found work at General Motors.From the age of 8 until he was 16 Sam honed his voice at his grandfather's church.But like most teenagers he became more intrigued with secular music eventually joining an R &B group known as the "Royal Lovers". The Royal Lovers became a popular act around their local neighbourhood and this was to lead to a potential lucky break for Sam. When big band leader Big Jay McNeely who was in town visiting his Sister heard the group perform. McNeely persuaded Sam to join his band with the promise of a recording contract and a performing tour of Texas. So Sam headed south to live with his half sister Mary Lee Forest in Houston, Texas. Mary Lee would act as Sam's chaperone due to him being under age of 21. While in Houston Sam did get to audition for Don Robey's Peacock label but no recording deal ever materialised. Though Robey was suitably impressed enough to sign Sam as the opening act for several of his revue's which featured acts such as Bobby (Blue) Bland, Lowell Fulsom, Little Junior Parker and Etta James amongst others. Upon reaching the age of 18 Sam decided to return to Flint where he rejoined the "Royal Lovers". The next significant figure in Sam's career was Al Bennett Bennett offered to manage Sam and it he who introduced Sam to radio DJ Fred Garrett, who later arranged a recording session for Sam at the One-derful studios in Chicago. Although three tracks were recorded none were ever thought to have gained a release. Sam remembers the title of one of the tracks as being "Hey, Hey Pretty Baby ". Bennett did eventually get Sam a recording contract with a local Flint label owner, by the name of James Wheeler. Sam recorded a solitary release for Wheeler records under the name of Little Sammy & The Wheelettes "Tell The Truth Jackie/Goodbye My Love" Bob Schwartz, who owned Ruby Records, gave Sam his next (& last) recording opportunity. In 2008 he joined the Ministry and now goes under the title of the Reverend Sam E. Solo Biography by Dave Welding taken from Soul Source