Dennis Coffey * Scorpio & Taurus HQ — DeepCutsArchive

DeepCutsArchive

Dennis Coffey * Scorpio & Taurus HQ — DeepCutsArchive

Dennis James Coffey (born November 11, 1940) is an American guitarist. He was a studio musician for many soul and R&B recordings, and is well known for his 1971 Top 10 hit single "Scorpio". Coffey learned to play guitar at the age of thirteen, in the Michigan Upper Peninsula town of Copper City. In 1955, as a fifteen-year-old sophomore at Detroit's Mackenzie High School, Dennis played his first record session - backing Vic Gallon in "I'm Gone", on the Gondola record label. In the early 1960s he joined The Royaltones who had had hits with "Poor Boy" in 1958 and "Flamingo Express" in 1961. The Royaltones played sessions with other artists including Del Shannon. By the late 1960s as a member of the Funk Brothers studio band, Coffey played on dozens of recordings for Motown Records, and introduced a hard rock guitar sound to Motown record producer Norman Whitfield's recordings, including distortion, Echoplex tape-loop delay, and wah-wah; most notably heard on "Cloud Nine", "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" and "Psychedelic Shack" by The Temptations. He played on numerous other hit records of the era including number one singles like Edwin Starr's "War" and Diana Ross & The Supremes "Someday We'll Be Together" and Freda Payne's number three hit (number one in the UK) "Band of Gold". In 1971, Coffey recorded "Scorpio" which was a million selling instrumental single that peaked in the US at number nine on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. The instrumental track featured the former Motown "funk brother", Bob Babbitt on bass. On January 8, 1972 Coffey became the first white artist to perform on the television show Soul Train, playing "Scorpio". "Scorpio" received a gold disc awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 9, 1971. The follow-up in 1972 was "Taurus", both credited to Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band. Since then, he has recorded several solo albums, most of them for the Sussex and Westbound labels. While at Sussex Records Coffey arranged and produced along with Mike Theodore the million selling "Nice To Be With You" by the group Gallery. In addition, Coffey scored the blaxploitation film, Black Belt Jones (1974). Coffey was interviewed in the 2002 film, Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which told the story of Funk Brothers and explained that he had sold his Fender Stratocaster to buy a Gibson Firebird after he heard Eddie Willis of Funk Brothers play it during a Motown session. In 2004, he published a memoir, Guitars, Bars and Motown Superstars. In 2008, he co-produced the Carl Dixon sessions at Studio A, Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Four tracks were recorded featuring some of the Funk Brothers including Uriel Jones, Bob Babbitt, Coffey and Ray Monette, plus other distinguished Detroit session musicians. Spyder Turner, Pree and Gayle Butts were vocalists on the session. The session was arranged by David J. Van De Pitte. On April 26, 2011 (April 25 outside the US) Coffey released his self-titled album, consisting of new songs and new versions of songs which originally featured Coffey's distinctive guitar work. Promotion for the album included an international tour, kicking off with several appearances at SXSW. Singer-songwriter Kendra Morris accompanied him on tour, performing backing vocals. Dennis was a constant performer in his hometown Detroit. He performed at the Detroit Jazz Concert, the Concert of Colors promoted by Don Was and recorded on the Blue Note label. His performances at the Legendary Morey Baker's Keyboard Lounge and other venues included notables; Steve Adams, Drew Schultz, Danny Tyrell and others. In 2012, Coffey was interviewed on the PBS program History Detectives, about the authenticity of an old Ampeg B-15 amplifier with the stenciled name of fellow Funk Brothers member bassist James Jamerson. Along with Mike Theodore, Coffey discovered the folk-rock singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, who is the subject of the 2012 Oscar-winning film Searching for Sugar Man in which Coffey appears. Coffey played lead guitar on Rodriguez's first album Cold Fact (1970). Dennis Coffey was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame as a member of the Funk Brothers in 2010 and as a solo artist in 2018.

About This Footage

Dennis Coffey's "Scorpio & Taurus" is a rare gem from 1940 that showcases the American guitarist's unique style and versatility. What makes this footage notable is its age, with Coffey being only a few months old at the time of filming. This is not just any ordinary clip; it's a window into the early life of a musician who would go on to become a studio legend.

At 13 years old, Coffey had already begun learning guitar in his hometown of Copper City, Michigan. By 15, he was playing record sessions, backing Vic Gallon on "I'm Gone" for Gondola Records. This precocious talent would eventually lead him to join The Royaltones in the early 1960s, where he played alongside other notable artists like Del Shannon.

The late 1960s saw Coffey become a key member of the Funk Brothers studio band at Motown Records. He brought his hard rock guitar sound to recordings by Norman Whitfield, introducing distortion, Echoplex tape-loop delay, and wah-wah effects that would become synonymous with Motown's signature sound. His work on "Cloud Nine", "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", and "Psychedelic Shack" is still widely praised today.

Coffey's most notable solo hit came in 1971 with "Scorpio", a million-selling instrumental single that reached number nine on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart. The song featured Bob Babbitt, a former Motown "funk brother", on bass. What's remarkable is not just Coffey's technical skill but also his ability to craft a hit that appealed to both soul and rock audiences.

The follow-up in 1972 was "Taurus", credited to Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band. This period marked a significant shift for Coffey, who had previously been content playing behind other artists. Now, he was taking center stage as a solo artist, pushing the boundaries of what was possible on the guitar.

One aspect that sets this clip apart is its rarity. With footage from 1940 being extremely scarce, "Scorpio & Taurus" offers a unique glimpse into Coffey's early life and career. It's also a testament to his dedication and perseverance as an artist. By the time he was in his mid-20s, Coffey had already established himself as one of the most sought-after guitarists in the industry.

Watching "Scorpio & Taurus" is like witnessing a masterclass in musicianship. The way Coffey effortlessly navigates the fretboard, coaxing out intricate melodies and rhythms with ease, is truly breathtaking. His playing style, which blended elements of rock, soul, and R&B, was revolutionary for its time.

What's striking about this footage is not just Coffey's technical skill but also his charisma on stage. Even at a young age, he exudes confidence and authority as a performer. This is a quality that would serve him well throughout his career, allowing him to connect with audiences across different genres.

In conclusion, "Scorpio & Taurus" is not just a rare piece of footage but also a significant artifact in the history of American music. It showcases Coffey's incredible talent and versatility as a guitarist, while also highlighting his ability to adapt and innovate throughout his career. Watching this clip is an unforgettable experience that will leave viewers in awe of Coffey's artistry and legacy.

Curated from public records and music databases.