Did music cause the Wright Siblings to grow up too Soon as children?

Giving respect and Honor for the Entire Year -Black History Month 2021

Story Written by Phillip L. Wright Ph.D.

Part 1 Of 6

Here is my synopsis of this story. I cogitate often and here is what I discovered. Everyone in our immediate family must have grown up with Music and Singing in our DNA. None of us regret growing up with music at a young age. All of us have learned so much about people and the world and many things from our travels.  I found that people are really the same all over the world. Music acts as the force that always brings them together. Each government has much to do with changing their attitudes about what they think. As well, it fosters each other’s attitude about each other.

Unfortunately, this is created thru the laws in the bills that governments write and pass and initiate. I hope my story will inspire you to reach for your dreams and aspirations with much success. I am sure it will also help build your self-esteem in the process. Despite how the Wright siblings grew up with music in their lives, we still managed to earn our higher education. I will try to describe how each of us got started in the music business.

Part 1

Did music cause the Wright Siblings to grow up too Soon as children?

I was so young. My mother taught me to sing at the age of 7 years. I was excited about it; it became my outlet. The music ended up being a lifetime career.  My family and I grew up with our mother Rosa in the Liberty Square Housing Projects in Liberty City Miami. They now call it the Pork and Beans projects. We were all trained by her to sing with excellent harmonies. In my heart I could feel the Holy spirit inside my body when I sing. I found that music has a special feeling created inside anyone when they sing or hear it. Our mother played her guitar for us to sing our gospel songs in church.  Our youngest sister Betty was not born yet. My goodness did she grow up so fast accomplishing many of her dreams and aspirations with so many successes. She passed all of us in specific areas of the music industry business. Unfortunately, she died on Mother’s Day at the age of 66 in 2020. I feel sure that she was just on her way to Super Stardom when she died. I did not attend her home going. I only wanted to remember how Betty and I would rehearse her singing with me playing the guitar. The projects washhouse on the outside of our building was our rehearsal hall for nearly 4 years. I enjoyed indirectly grooming her how to sing with perfection and how to strengthen her voice. I knew she would feel what that is like.  When she sang.  She knew what I meant when someone is accompanying her playing a musical instrument. It will strengthen the quality of her voice and her performance.  Years later Betty and I continued to perform with the band I chose for her. We traveled all over the world. My other sister Jeannette was 4 years when she joined the family Gospel singing group. Jeannette also grew up fast too. She started to sing with other male or female groups in her teens. She eventually made some recordings of her own. She began recording with our sister Betty, and harry Wayne Casey, known as KC and the Sunshine band. Jeanette’s voice is on all of KCs’ original hit recordings. I was so excited just as my siblings who experienced the music at a young age too. I was so happy to sing with my 2 older brothers Charles and Milton. My youngest brother Hank was not born yet.

Our mother created us as a gospel singing group when we all were very young, and the music business was very Impressionable to us. We loved Music and singing. Mother named us the echoes of Joy. She rehearsed us relentlessly so we would not forget our harmony parts to sing. As a youngster, I would get nervous sometimes when we begin to sing. As we sang along and our voices was sounding so sweet and mellow, I became more comfortable. Two years later when I was 9 years, I had already learned how to play the guitar. I was a bit shy to     let my family know I could play the guitar so young.  This is what happened to me next. During 1957.  I had joined a calypso band by the time I reached 12 years old and still impressed by the music that I hear. I started performing with a calypso band playing guitar in a night club in Overtown Miami. When my mother was working at Mount Sinai Hospital, I was taking her’ guitar and practicing the songs I heard on the radio. I had learned to play just about any song I heard. As I was still performing years later during 1969 is when I met the Jackson 5, and we became friends for many years. At that same time. Someone wrote in the Black Stars magazine that Phillip Wright who was so young, had joined a band AGAINST his parents’ WISHES playing guitar in a night club. Of course, that was not all true about how my parents felt or WHAT THEY had to say about it. The band and I   were performing at the Knight beat club located in the Sir John Hotel in the area called Overtown Miami. There were 3 clubs in the Sir John Hotel. It was where many known black celebrities would get rooms when they could not stay on Miami Beach where they were performing in one of the night clubs there.  The room where the Down Beats and I performed was the calypso room. It was called Studio 2. My Police escort the Late Officer Ferguson always made sure I was safe there. Three years later he got murdered stopping a car and the driver shot and killed him. There was always so much excitement going on. In Studio 2 one night We unexpectedly had a familiar guest. It was the famed extraordinary recording artist the Late Sam Cooke who walked in. He was an accomplished songwriter, Director, and a Record Producer internationally. Someone yelled out! Hey! SAM COOKE!!!” give us a song!!” excited and anticipating am I going to play for Sam Cooke? He was approaching the stage. Sam looked up toward the stage at me and the band. I was feeling a little Nervous. Sam did not seem too enthusiastic about singing with a calypso band. Sam could clearly see I looked young playing guitar in a night club. I remember that is the same thing that actor and recording artist Barbara McNair said to me at that same club.

Earlier that night before our show started, one of the band members tried to make me look like an older musician. He used an eyebrow pencil. After Sam started approaching the stage, before I knew it, he was on the stage with us. He asked me a question. Quote, do you know any of my songs? I said yes sir! I do. He told me which song he wanted to sing. We kicked it off and started performing. I could hardly believe this. I felt I had made it to the Big Times. I was playing for Sam Cooke at my age of 12. I was so proud, thankful, and grateful that he gave me that opportunity. Artist guitarist singer Bobby Womack was Sam’s original guitarist at that time. He just happened not to be with Sam that night. It gave me an open chance to play guitar for Sam. Sam turned it out singing while the audience screaming in elation of joy. The audience enjoyed watching this youngster playing guitar with the great Sam Cooke. I was smiling, proud, thrilled and   extremely excited after I finished playing for Sam. The name of our calypso band that accompanied Sam Cooke was called the Downbeats. I had been a member for only 1 year.

Part 2

Did music cause the Wright Siblings to grow up too Soon as children?

My older brother Charles had joined the Afro Beats and started to travel with them. They performed in and out of the United States.  In the meantime, I was 15 years. I continued performing with the Downbeats calypso band. We traveled to Boston accompanied by comedian Flip Wilson. The engagement lasted only 3 months. I was still 15 when I joined another calypso band. I returned to Boston for another 3 months.  Afterwards, I decided to join the Afro Beats band by the time I turned 16 years. The Afro Beats band played many   genres of music and at many venues. We rehearsed for 1 month with acting skits added to our performances. The Afro Beats could perform in different languages too. The bands’ composition was 2 guitars and   a bass guitar with a (full set)) drummer and a conga player. By this time, my brother Charles was the Band Leader. We were joined by the popular female singing group called the Fabulettes formally known as the Marvell’s of Miami. We traveled together with much success.  The Fabulettes decided to leave the Afro Beats touring alone with another band all over Europe. The next five years we managed to monopolize many venues. We often appeared in the inner city. We needed to expand our crowds by attracting other venues like Miami Beach crowd. We auditioned at one of Miami Beaches’ popular night spots called the Wreck Bar. We were accepted after the audition. We first appeared at the Wreck Bar for the audition. We wore white tuxedos with white bowties. We appeared showing an unexpected impressive and impact from the club patrons.

We surprised the club owners too with our appearance. We were hired immediately at the Wreck Bar club. We were later advertised in the Miami beach sun Newspaper. We started appearing On Miami Beach after that more often. Our engagements were in more popular night spots. We gained a large following from all races and cultures. We also performed by the Poolside with vacationing movie stars and other celebrities.

The inclusion of all the celebrities made our Poolside calypso music shows more exciting for everyone. They always enjoyed the calypso band music. I remember how much they enjoyed Miami Beach sun, The beaches, and the exciting entertainment night life. The places where we performed would be   completely packed with patrons.  They were so amazed while listening and watching Our amazing shows. Our shows in all the hotels night club spots were always jam packed. We could really pack them in from Key West to Boston. All the venues were always Completely crowded. It was that way because of our exciting and showstopping performances. We became the most sort after Black band in the city of Miami and on Miami beach during the 1960s. The Afro Beats opened the first Go show on Miami Beach at the Seville Hotel. The band from television, the Monkeys would visit us often at the   hotel night clubs. They enjoyed listening and watching our music show performances. They asked us to perform outside in front of a Miami Beach theater for the opening of their new movie.

Their movie was called, The Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. It appeared during 1963 or 1964 in one of Miami Beach theaters. We accepted their offer. The Afro Beats performed outside in front of the theater.  We drew an enormous crowd. We were popular and musically successful integrating Miami Beach Night Clubs Scenes. The Afro Beats was the first black band to break into the Miami Beach music night spots and club scenes all over the beach. My brother Charles and I practiced constantly with our two guitars and the amplifiers electronics. We studied and figured out how to match the sounds of the two guitars together to make a new different sound like other musical instruments. We were able to create those sounds from the 2 guitars coming thru the amplifiers. We played assorted genres of music. It gave us the chance to always have engagements often. We were a professional black band all over Miami Beach.

The Miami Beach Police Department and the mayors’ office made that legal for our band. We could perform for 7 nights weekly. We knew we had to keep our ID cards on our person always when we were on Miami Beach working in a night club venue. The unfortunate fact was all our band members were Black.  It did cause us some inconveniences and difficulties in some areas on the beach. We were not sure about when or where an all-Black band could perform. We were asked this question but almost like an order, by a club owner. Quote why cannot you boys hire a white band member. I thought to myself, what would a white band member do? What instrument would he play or sing with us? It was sad because some club owners thought we needed a white member in our band. It was already a fact that we could pack them in for the business without a white band member. It was a shame; we were not excepted by some club owners. It seemed that they had their personal racial preference.  Maybe their preference of music was other than our music. Our Music was classified as Black Music. We played the music that was being played on the radio. It was the same music that was sold and purchased by the public.    The residents racial and cultural makeup on Miami Beach was predominantly Jewish or Caucasians. we managed to attract all their age groups and pull them in too. Why not? Our genres of music and all other Music over the world has always been International.  Music is enjoyed even in different languages. It has a feeling to it as it is being played.

Part 3

Did music cause the Wright Siblings to grow up too Soon as children?

During the next 5 years. We had engagements in other cities or states. My brothers and I joined together and created another organization in Boston called the Forth Unit. It was me and my 2 brothers, Charles, and Milton. Singing together and Playing acoustic guitars with our cousin Vernon who played the conga drums, and he sang as well. We showed our outstanding musical abilities in performing. We became just as popular in Boston. We were now a new organization as the Fourth Unit and breaking new ground there. Unfortunately, we did not record any of our original music. We had none of our music to share with the rest of the world yet. We were also studying in Professional academic Programs and universities daily. We were still performing whenever we could.  During 1968, I was 22 years young, and I made the decision to leave all the other bands. I joined Atlantic Records playing guitar with the Late Aretha Franklins’ recording band called King Curtis and the Kingpins. I was replacing the extraordinary guitarist the Late Jimmy Hendrix. I did have to move to New York city. I had only $25 in my pocket. I was not aware that King Curtis had not prepared permanent housing for me yet. King Curtis picked me up from the airport as it had just begun to snow.

He drove me directly to his lavish apartment. He threw the newspaper on the table in front of me and said, here! find you some place to stay. It suddenly shocked me. Right away. I should have gotten the message. At that time, I knew I had to use my spiritual insights. I turned to the editorial pages. I closed my eyes, and I used my index finger and scrolled down until I felt I should stop. I did it in the section that had the wording, room for rent.  It read, see Al Vigal and it also showed a telephone number. I called the number and went there the next day. It was in the same building where the late James Baldwin lived. He was an activist and the famed author of successful and interesting books. His apartment was directly over mine. After we met, we became familiar friends. Sometimes when he was not writing, he would visit Al Vigal and me at the same time. There were times when he had returned from his Chateau in the South of France, when we had just begun to get to know each other better. We had some cordial visits when We would only collaborate over many different activism stories. Sometimes we would also discuss relevant and social current matters too. James Baldwin was a most deep interesting and intellectual man.

After about 3 or 4 days, King Curtis called me. It was that time again for us to leave. We flew back to Europe for another couple of weeks. Returning to New York from Europe, we rehearsed for at least 1 week. immediately we had to pack again the next week and get ready to leave for Europe again. We were happy to be back home after those couple of drooling weeks Tired and weary. Shortly we were on the way back to Europe again. We toured Europe so many times in 1 year. There were 45 days touring everywhere in Europe performing 2 shows a night. We arrive back in New York at the airport. There was another Limousine waiting to take us straight to the Apollo Theater for another 2 weeks engagement. It was on the bill Cosby show. This was another 2 shows a day at the Apollo theater during 1968.

It added additional 28 more shows after the previous 90 shows that we did in Europe. We easily managed to do our performance on the bill Cosby show at the Apollo Theater. We knew after those long tours we had 2 weeks break to rest before we start again. We would begin our next tour for a few months performing with Whitney Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston, and the Sweet Inspirations. We traveled to the Bahamas, the Caribbean islands, and back to New York city again. We also toured with Patti Labelle and the Bluebells that same year in Saint Croix and Saint Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

Aretha Franklins’ sister Erma Franklin joined us too at the Cat and Fiddle club in Nassau Bahamas. We also performed for Pearl Bailey and Ed Sullivan’s’ birthday parties in New York city.

Part 4

Did music cause the Wright Siblings to grow up too Soon as children?

My most exciting tour engagement was on top of a mountain in Portugal on the Iberian Peninsula on the Border of Spain. It was at the Patino Palace on top of a mountain. The Ball had given invitations to all movie stars internationally. The Ball was featured in the Ebony magazine during 1968. one of the pages in the Ebony magazine featured me standing in front of the orchestra music stands holding my guitar.  Our organization was there for 2 weeks with only one day to perform at the Palace. The band and I with Cissy Houston and the Sweet Inspirations were on the way to an invitation by the cousin of the Duke of Windsor at his mansion. I got the chance to glimpse Elizabeth Taylor leaving her hotel with her entourage. She was invited to a party offshore to Frank Sinatra’s’ Yacht. We were still in Portugal but awaiting the night we were to perform at the Palace. During the night of the ball, we were meeting and greeting each other for a while. The show had not begun yet.

Par5

Did music cause the Wright Siblings to grow up too Soon as children?

Outside many celebrity guests were still starting to arrive. At the bottom of the mountain, there was orange carpet laid out all the way to the top of the mountain reaching the Palace colored in orange and green. There were fully armed Guards from the bottom to the top of the mountain to protect the wealthy stars arriving. The celebrities were wearing their diamonds and lavish gowns an. the men dressed in fabulous Tuxedos. The Palace was decorated with orange and green colors everywhere. There was fruit attached to the walls of the extremely large patio. There was roasted Pigs with apples in their mouths on every table. During the meet and greet, I met Gina Lola Brigida, Sophia Loren, and while walking around, I stepped across a row of low-cut plants, and bumped into Mia Farrow and we introduced ourselves by our names. Just as I thought the surprises were over, a few feet away, I met and had a bit of small talk with the Late Henry Ford the II, of the Ford Foundation.

During 1968 at the benefit event at Madison Square Gardens, we were commemorating Dr. Kings’ Legacy of his life and times, and for his struggles in civil rights and his successes. Appearing was Junior Walker and the All Stars, Sonny and Cher orchestra and other guest appearing on the event to perform. Other appearances were Aretha Franklin and Jimmy Hendrix who were just two of the special guests who contributed financial contributions to the event personally.

At the performance that night, King Curtis told me to go up on the stage and open the show. The 27000 People in the audience were becoming restless for the show to start. I was a little bit nervous in front of 27000 people but as I started, I was happy performing. the New York Times featured me on a page in their magazine.  The Times mentioned how I opened the Event celebration with excitement singing and playing guitar. I opened with the number 1 hit song of that week. It was Tighten Up by Archie Bell and the Drell’s. I got the audience immediately in the mood.

Part 6

Did music cause the Wright Siblings to grow up too Soon as children?

Sadly, the event occurred after Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis Tennessee at the Lorraine Motel. I will Continue this part of my story in the Dr. King celebration. I got the chance to perform playing my guitar with Sonny and Cher Orchestra on that same night, and Junior Walker and the All-stars. I was delighted to see my friend Jimmy Hendrix of whom I replaced with King Curtis and the Kingpins band. There were also many other well-known international celebrities in attendance. The day before Dr. King was assassinated, The Kingpins and I were just about to leave the Loraine Motel in Memphis. Dr. King and his entourage were momentarily just arriving and entering thru the motel lobby.  I saw them entering, but I assumed they were a church group convention.

After returning to my apartment in New York city, the next day, I was still thinking of Dr. Kings’ death and where we had just left. It stayed on my mind constantly.  While staying at the Lorraine motel, I was in the room directly under the room where Dr. King fell to his death by an assailants’ bullet. After the event at Madison Square Gardens in New York was over that night, I packed all my things and I moved to Battle Creek Michigan on Junior Walkers’ touring bus… I joined Motown with Saxophonist Junior Walker and the All Stars. We immediately traveled to perform at the Fillmore West club in San Francisco and the Soul Train TV show and the Mike Douglas TV show, and Della Reese show. We also toured Europe many times too.

I visited with Jimmy Hendrix at his club the Experience in LA.  one night he was there with his entire band. He asked me if I wanted to sit in and play guitar with them and I said why not. I did.  Ironically, I had a similar experience at the Legendary famous Fillmore West Club performing with Junior Walker and the All-stars band, in San Francisco. When the Grateful dead band were on stage performing, I was standing a few feet on the stage at the same time but more near the back of the stage still holding my guitar around my neck. Jerry Garcia walked over to me and asked me if I wanted to sit in? I said O.K. I was honored that he asked me that. I watched him plugging his guitar cord into my guitar so I could play a solo with the Grateful Dead band. Jerry coaxed me slowly toward the front of the stage to be seen clearly by the audience taking my guitar solo. I was hoping my solo would turn out great since I got the chance to sit in and play my guitar with the Grateful Dead organization. What an opportunity to have experienced.

During another night in LA at the Whiskey Ago go I had already joined the Motown’s’ Allstars Band with Junior Walker. We were there to record a Live album. “called, Junior walker and the All Stars Live at the Whisky ago-go. In Los Angeles. After the recording, I met Etta Janes that night and sat at the table with her and my friend the artist Musician the Late Sam Early from Miami.  Junior walker and the All Stars with me as their guitarist   toured Europe at least 4   times.  I left Motown and Junior Walker and the All-stars, and I returned to Boston and entered a Manpower Program in a Business school with the $5000 allocated by Former President Richard Nixon. It was offered to some citizens who qualified and wanted to go back to school and gain more Financial stability. I took the advantage of the offer. When I completed all the classes, I stayed in Boston for a period and worked in an On-the-Job Training Program to practice what I learned while in school.

What is going on? There came this persistent Music itch that called me back to the music business. It was back again. The music itch started again calling me.  I returned to battle Creek with Motown and rejoined Junior Walker and the All-stars once more. This time it was for the shortest stent with the organization. Leaving Motown once again, returning to Miami to join my sister Betty Wright also known as Miami’s’ Queen of Soul. I returned this time with a pregnant wife with twins on the way. Just as I returned.  at that time Betty had the hit recording Cleanup Woman Breaking into the record charts as a number 1. It was all over the country’s’ recording industry that Betty Wright was becoming more of a Rising R and B recording Star.  I knew right then, I had to leave Motown with Junior Walker and the All-Stars band to join my sister Betty Wright in my hometown of Miami to help her market her music and help her on her tours. She had a hit recording clean Up Woman, and other tunes on the record charts around the country and Internationally too. Shortly after my return, we recorded another hit with me arranging the rhythm guitars and with me playing guitar called Tonight is the Night written by Betty. It also turned out to be another big smash hit on the Billboard Magazine as a Number 28, With me playing guitar.  My rhythm guitars arrangement is being played on the original version of Tonight is the Night. If you wish, u can also hear me playing guitar with Betty on the original version recording of Tonight is the Night on YouTube. It is without the monologue from the Live version. You can also hear Betty singing a song that I composed. I wrote the words, and the Music rhythm cords arrangements called Give a smile. It is my favorite composition written by me with the assistance of original copyrighted by me and Anthony W. Turner. Tito Jackson was also playing guitar on that recording. I got the chance to teach Tito some guitar licks. In The recording Give A Smile sung by Betty included vocals by Bobby Caldwell, featuring Phyllis Hyman and my other sister Jeannette on vocals too. My brother Charles played the other guitar. the recording featured the awesome vocal style of Bettys’ original voice singing on Give A Smile. Check out me too with my stage name Leno Phillips singing and playing guitar along with the awesome style of guitarist Little Beaver playing on my song too called Confusion, Northern Soul.

I am also an author of the book: Free Mind Free speech,

By Dr. Phillip Leno Wright Ph.D.

It can be found on amazon, Barnes and Noble, and it can be ordered from Author House Publishing Inc.

Here are some of the influences of my life:

First: The All-Mighty God and Jesus Christ.

My Mother Rosa and My Grandparents and some Friends

My Late Grandmother Bessie Akins, Singer, Bible Teacher, (awesome Preacher and cook:) and Grandmother who reared 9 children with Grandfather Harvey Akins.

My Late Mother rosa Akins’s wright Single mother- of 7 children (with 3 deceased.) She was an Activist, Singer, Musician, Guitarist, Professional Licensed Nurse, Educator, – Disciplinarian – songwriter – and singer: Other than Grandmother Bessie, Mom was also another Best Cook I ever knew.

The Late Dick Gregory (Activist and comedian who taught me how to be aware of inequities and injustices in our society. He encouraged me to find a clear and honest pathway to participate in social and political matters. I learned from Dick all about some most important needs to be addressed without any nefarious outcomes.

The late James Baldwin (My Neighbor and friend in New York) Activist who marched with Dr. King:  An Author of many successful books. He also gave me an interest and influenced me on activism matters.

Al Vigal (Landlord in New York City, treated me how a father would do. He was the costume Designer for Red Skelton and Milton Berle for their TV shows.

My brothers and Sisters:

Charles Wright

(He taught me many of the guitar chords I played on guitar) And much theory. We together created our own way of playing our guitars in harmony with the bands or just with each other.

The Honorable Judge Milton Wright Jr. An accomplished Baritone soloist, Musician, songwriter, Playwright, Director for 35 years of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, retired Attorney, an Honorable Judge for Life. He gave me the opportunity to record with him and act as music advisor on his first album called Friends and Buddies which is still a well-known classic in Europe.

My sisters:

Jeannette Wright – What a Great and seasoned musical harmonic voice she possesses. Her voice is heard on many hit recordings, most known singing with our other Late sister Betty and KC and the Sunshine Band original hit recordings, and so many other well-known celebrity recording artists.

And my Late Sis Betty Wright of whom I spent at least 5 years while she was growing up, grooming her to continue developing her Grownup strong voice. Years later in her young adult life, she gave me the opportunity to Create my own style of arranging and playing my guitar on her recordings and singing background on some of her recordings – What a Perfectionist and a Genius in so many ways – Betty was also a remarkable and amazing Ordained Minister and awesome Preacher: I called her My Baby.

A friend Ivan Johnson Guitarist (I learned so much about Calypso music and the cords and how they are played, and its’ rhythmic strums in the calypso music

My Music Teachers

The Late Ms. Dunn My Elementary School Music Teacher

at Holmes elementary School. Ms. Dunn taught me music theory.

The late Mr. Johnson My Junior High School Music Chorus Teacher at Dorsey Junior High School.

In his class, he made me the only male alto voice in the chorus.

The Late Mr. Evans My Senior High

School Chorus Music Teacher at Northwestern Senior High school.

Last of all: I promised my mother I would go back to college to complete my higher educational degrees: to earn my bachelor’s degree in music, my master’s degree in music Theory and composition and My Doctorate in music with a concentration in Creative Writing, so I did just that and I made copies for my mother to see and keep. She did get to see I did what I promised her.  Now I have retired as a Legally Blind senior citizen. A musician-singer-songwriter-guitarist-A writer, Author, a student of accounting-Teacher, and a Public Speaker, Father Grandfather, and a Great grandfather.

after graduating from the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and supported by the Division of Blind Services of South Florida. I also graduated from Lindsey Hopkins, Miami-Dade College before entering an Online University earning my other degrees from Rockville University.

The Heavenly Angels guided me and protected me thru it all. I give all glory to God and Jesus.

I chose to stay busy and continue writing Op Eds for newspapers around the United States and sometimes in Europe as much as I can. There is so much more I could tell you about me and my Loving kind and Spiritual siblings and our Late wonderful mother Rosa and our journey with the Guardian Angels Guidance and Protection.

Thanks to the Westside Gazette

For: giving me the support with my writing, and the opportunity to share it with the general public.