Biography
In Detroit, Michigan, during 1959, the Valadiers came together. Oak Park High School educated Stuart Avig, who handled lead vocals, along with Martin Coleman, responsible for lead, bass, and baritone parts, and Art Glasser on second tenor. Jerry Light, covering bass and baritone duties, went to Detroit Mumford instead. Early inspirations drew from Jerry Butler & the Impressions, the Dells, the Flamingoes, and Jackie Wilson. Right after finishing high school, they tried out at Hitsville USA, landing a three-year deal and becoming Motown's inaugural white ensemble. That first studio date yielded "Nothing Is Going to Change It" paired with "Somebody Help Me Find My Baby," yet Motown chose to set those aside. Activity resumed only with the following session, which generated the self-penned "Greetings, This Is Uncle Sam" and its B-side counterpart "Take a Chance." Avig recalled that "the sessions took one or two hours for both the vocals and the music." Though the Valadiers composed "Greetings," numerous parties sought songwriting attribution, resulting in the 45 crediting solely P. Bennent, an unknown figure. Later compilations shifted to Robert Bateman, Brian Holland, and Ronnie Dunbar, while B.M.I. acknowledges Bateman, Holland, Dunbar, plus the Valadiers themselves. Eastern and Midwestern audiences embraced "Greetings," though sales fell short of hit status. The group performed across Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Flint, Baltimore, Washington, and additional venues alongside leading R&B acts. A standout evening at the Cleveland Arena featured Marv Johnson, the Isley Brothers, and Wilbert Harrison; there, the blue-eyed soul singers garnered greater applause than the Isleys. Local favorites included the 20 Grand Lounge and the Graystone Ballroom. Standing at 5'4", lead singer Stuart Avig projected a dynamic presence, his vocals blending elements of Jackie Wilson and Smokey Robinson, captivating crowds through both delivery and stage presence. Subsequent efforts came out on the Gordy imprint: "When I'm Away" in summer 1962 and "I Found a Girl" during January 1963, each lacking significant push, with no further issues following their 1964 disbandment. The Monitors revisited "Greetings" for Soul Records, achieving higher chart placement than the source. The Isley Brothers recorded their take as well, which stayed unreleased in Motown's archives until the mid-1980s. As Stuart Ames, Avig laid down solo material at Golden World Records. Attempts to include Marty Coleman met resistance from owner Ed Wingate, who insisted on Stuart alone and halted promotion. Uncredited contributions also went toward the Reflections' "Just Like Romeo and Juliet" on the same label. Thereafter, Avig performed solo or reassembled the Valadiers for club dates around the city. Coleman turned focus to composition, with B.M.I. cataloging 38 of his numbers though the total exceeded that figure. Among them, "If This Is Love (Than I'd Rather Be Lonely)" by the Precisions on Drew Records stood out. He also wrote and arranged for Artie Fields' Top Dog imprint in Detroit, staying until its closure after eleven singles. One Top Dog piece, "Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music," later received covers from the Spinners as well as the Supremes & the Four Tops on Motown; Joe Towns had originated it on the Top Dog roster. Upon Motown's absorption of the label, Coleman joined the staff, supplying material for the Originals, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and additional artists. During the late 1980s, Britisher Ian Levine captured the Valadiers on tape, with Stuart Avig as the lone original participant and replacements filling other roles. Repertoire spanned various styles, encompassing reworkings of the Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody," the Isley Brothers' "I Guess I'll Always Love You," and the Miracles' "Ooh, Baby, Baby," Stuart's voice retaining its prior strength. Light now calls St. Augustine, Florida, home, whereas Glasser, Avig, and Coleman remain in the Detroit vicinity. Avig, married contentedly for three decades, has two sons and operates in the precious metals sector. Glasser continues working in greater Detroit, though substance abuse issues have plagued the formerly gifted Coleman. Avig remembers his Motown tenure warmly, describing it as "a rewarding experience."
Albums