On December 16-17, 1966 Mill Evans recorded three songs in Chicago for King Records. For some unfathomable reason, one of those tracks – “Ain’t You Glad” – stayed in the can for 35 years and would have remained unissued, had it not been for the fine (and far-sighted) folks at Ace Records:
“Ain’t You Glad”
Mill Evans (1966)
“Ain’t You Glad” is the kick-off track on Ace UK‘s 2001 anthology, King Northern Soul Vol. 2, and is as good as – if not better than – “Why Why Why,” the A-side of Mill Evans‘ sole King Records 45.
“A Bill Sheppard Production”
“Aint You Glad” would be reissued on vinyl in the UK that same year as a split single with The Millionaires‘ “I’m The One Who Loves You” gracing the flip side.
*
Cash Box
Sheppard To Direct King’s A&R, Promotion
MIAMI BEACH, FLA — Syd Nathan, president of King Records, announced last week at his winter offices in Miami, the exclusive signing of William “Bunky” Sheppard to a long-term contract as A&R direction and promotion chief for King and its subsidiary labels. Nathan also announced the subsequent release of the first two records produced by Sheppared under the new arrangement, “Why Why Why” b/w “Right Now” by Mill Evans and “Why Am I Crying” b/w “That’s How Long I’m Gonna Love You” by Shirley Wahls.
“A Bill Sheppard Production”
A veteran of more than ten years in the record business, Sheppard owned and operated his own company Apex Records during the late 1950s and produced the label’s only hit, “Island Of Love” by The Sheppards.
In 1961, Sheppard produced a session by a then unknown Gene Chandler, and leased the sides to Ewart Abner at Vee-Jay. From that session came the smash, “Duke Of Earl,” which earned Sheppard a key position on the Vee-Jay R&B staff. Abner also utilized Sheppard’s strong established relationships with the country’s leading R&B disk jockeys by appointing him national director of R&B promotion.
Sheppard left Vee-Jay in 1963, along with Abner, to form Constellation Records. At the new label, he was much the same as at Vee-Jay. During the years at Constellation, he produced the following hits with Gene Chandler: “Just Be True“; “Nothing Can Stop Me“; “Rainbow ’65” and the album Gene Chandler – Live On Stage.
Sheppard will for the time being be operating from his home in Chicago. Any artists, songwriters, etc. wishing to contact him can do so at 7750 S. Calumet, Chicago.
*
LINK to Soul on Zero to 180
