b. Clyde Wilson, 25th December 1945, Walhall, South Carolina, U.S.A.
d. 8th January 2011, Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
Steve Mancha is very much an underrated singer and performer.
His real name is Clyde Wilson, and he originally hailed from South Carolina (later moving to Detroit in the mid fifties).
Steve became a highly respected vocalist during the 1960's, although he never truly achieved the fame he richly deserved as a solo artist, he did perform lead vocals for the group 100 Proof Aged In Soul later in his career.
His family relocated to Detroit from South Carolina during 1954.
At the start of the Sixties, Clyde befriended Melvin Davis who was singing for the Fortune Records imprint.
Under his own name of Clyde Wilson, he first signed with Harvey Fuqua for his HPC label, where he recorded the single 'Just Too Much To Hope For' (later recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell).
Berry Gordy then took Harvey's label under the Motown Records umbrella.
did my baby call -1965 / monday through thursday b/w friday night / he stole a love that was mine b/w come on baby - 1967 / a love like yours b/w hate yourself in the morning
Clyde relocated imprints in 1965 to the Wheelsville label, which was owned Don Davis.
At the label Clyde recorded 'Did My Baby Call' b/w 'Whirlpool'.
A year later Clyde had collaborated with the group, the Holidays, scoring a minor hit ('I'll Love You Forever' (number 7 R & B) with the band, whose line-up included J.J. Barnes and Edwin Starr.
1966 saw Clyde change his name to Steve Mancha, joining Groovesville Records, along with J.J. Barnes and Melvin Davis.
Steve recorded 5 sides for Groovesville, including 'I Don't Wanna Lose You' and 'Don't Make Me A Storyteller', which both reached the R&B charts.
Don Davis then set up the Groove City imprint, recording Steve on 'Hate Yourself In The Morning' b/w 'A Love Like Yours' for the label in 1968.
A few of these sides were later collected together for the collaboration album 'Rare Stamps' with J.J. Barnes.
The set was released on the Stax/Volt imprint and featured on side one, J.J. Barnes, with Steve on the flip.
When Holland/Dozier/Holland set up their Hot Wax and Invictus labels (following the departure from Motown), Steve moved with them, joining their label ensemble 100 Proof Aged In Soul as their lead vocalist, along with Joe Stubbs, and Eddie Holiday.
The groups recordings included 'One Man's Leftovers (Is Another Man's Feast)', 'Driveway', '90 Day Freeze', 'I Rather Fight Than Switch', 'Everything Good Is Bad', and 'Don't Scratch Where It Don't Itch'.
With the group Steve was responsible for co-writing several of their tracks, as well as singing lead vocals for the group The 8th Day.
Steve also performed with the group the Jaywalkers, and also became part of George Clinton's band Parliament circa 1970.
When Holland/Dozier/Holland left Detroit for California, Steve remained in Michigan and became part of the Gospel circuit in Detroit.
it's all over the grapevine - 1986 / standing in line - 1987
In 1986, Steve recorded 'It's All Over The Grapevine' and 'Standing In Line' for U.K. Soul Producer Ian Levine, during a period when several Motown veterans were being invited to perform in the U.K. by the man.
A compilation album was released in 2000 entitled 'Detroit Soulman, The Best Of Steve Mancha', and Steve performed live in London the same year, with J.J. Barnes and Edwin Starr.
Steve Mancha a.k.a. Clyde Wilson passed way on the 8th of January 2011 at the Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan after a long illness.
Albums:
Rare Stamps (one side by J.J. Barnes) (Stax Records 1969)
Don Davis Presents The Sound Of Detroit - Six Tracks (Groovesville Records 1993)
Detroit Soulman, The Best Of Steve Mancha (VSOP Records 2000)
