Choker Campbell

b. 21 March 1916, Shelby, Mississippi, USA, d. 20 July 1993, Detroit, Michigan, USA. Tenor saxophonist Campbell led the first of Motown Records’ road bands that accompanied the fledgling label’s acts on tour. When his position was taken by Earl Van Dyke, Campbell instead led the resident band at Detroit’s Graystone Ballroom. Several live sessions were recorded at this Motown-owned venue, including the saxophonist’s unreleased Shades Of Time. His eventual contribution to the label’s catalogue was Hits Of The Sixties, but Campbell left the company soon after its release. In 1969, he established the Tri-City Recording Company, an ambitious enterprise responsible for several musically contrasting outlets, including Tri-City, Moonville USA, Ultra City and Gospel Train.