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Mr. King...........bio conclusion |
The 1970s
For nearly 10 years Mr. King was the arranger and Musical Director for the "Spinners". The Spinners reached new heights of success during this period of time. Not only did they appear worldwide, they appeared on numerous TV productions, including "LaVern and Shirley". It would be impossible to name all of their appearances from the Tropicana to the "Superbowl", to DisneyWorld and practically the four corners of the earth.
After appearing or performing on every continent except Antarctica, Clarence Maurice King Sr. aka Maurice King aka "MR. KING" went into semi-retirement during most of the 1980s.
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1990-1992 |
Mr. King wrote the music for, and produced Martha Jean "THE QUEEN" Steinberg's album titled "Quiet Talks With The Master", written by Eva Bell Webber. Renowned keyboardist Gary Schunk performed the soundtrack. He was also instrumental in the "It Takes Two" production for TV Channel 2 in Metro Detroit.
During this period he was the mentor for popular rock group, "D.C. Drive" and had his hands imprinted in the Royal Oak Music Cafe "Walk of Fame" next to the foot imprints of "Pop" Atkins. The ceremony was during an album release party for the rock group.
Maurice King boasts impressive displays at the Motown Museum in Detroit, Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, as well as induction into the Musician's Hall of Fame. He is also documented in the Smithsonian Institution.
A few of his professional/personal relationships included; Sammy Davis Jr., Larry King, Jerry Lewis, Mike Douglas, Bill Cosby, and Duke Ellington. In the "sports" world he was close to Detroit Lion greats Bobby Lane, Doak Walker, and "Night Train" Lane. Also, boxing champions Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammed Ali, and George Foreman.
Mr. King has been favorably mentioned in more than a dozen novels, biographies, and autobiographies over the years. In time a formal bibliography will be compiled. To name a few: The autobiographies of, Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves, Berry Gordy Jr. and many others.. The biography of Jackie Wilson, "Lonely Teardrops", "All in Good Time", by Marianne McPartland, "The International Sweethearts of Rhythm", a British book release. "Nowhere to Run To" and many others. He will also be discussed in an upcoming book by jazz historian James Gallert in mid-2001.
For sixty years plus he was actively producing, composing, arranging, performing, conducting, teaching, mentoring, and inspiring individuals. Not only is Mr. King a legend in Detroit, Michigan he was a father figure for countless people in the World of Music.
All of this with the support and memory of his loving wife, Eddie Mae King. (Mrs. King passed away in November, 1988)
Maurice King was born December 12, 1911. He succumbed to a long illness December 18, 1992.
His loving son,
Evans W. King, President/Founder
Maurice King Foundation of American Music