Johnny Bristol ~ Hang On In There Baby 1974 Soul Purrfection Version

It is common knowledge that the Johnny Bristol penned and produced “Someday, We’ll Be Together“ a #1 hit for Diana Ross & The Supremes. You may not know that Diana was the only Supreme in the studio when it was recorded, with Julia & Maxine Waters handling the Supremes backing vocals. It was in effect, Diana’s first solo #1. During the recording session, Johnny realized that Diana was tired so he sang a few lines to help her put more feeling into the song. Berry Gordy heard the two voices and decided to leave Bristol’s vocals in, so he had his first #1 hit with the last #1 pop single of the 60’s. He was born February 3, 1939 in Morgantown, North Carolina, joined the Air Force and was stationed near Detroit, Michigan. He and a fellow serviceman Jackey Beavers wrote and performed their own songs and were discovered by Gwen Gordy, sister of Berry. She signed them to her Tri-Phi Label and had a couple of regional hits. Jackey and Johnny wrote “Someday We’ll Be Together“ and filed it away. In 1969, Johnny felt it was time to revive Jackey and Johnny and took the demo of “Someday“ to Berry Gordy who declared it a smash for the Supremes. The duo continued to write great songs like “Twenty Five Miles“ and “Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday“ for Motown until Johnny moved to Columbia Records in 1973 as an in house producer. He really wanted to record himself, but Columbia was not interested so when MGM Records offered, he jumped at the chance. “Hang On In There Baby“ was his debut single and it peaked at #8 in October of 1974 and is his only charting pop single. He had more success on the R&B charts, and he kept producing for talent like Johnny Mathis, Tom Jones and Tavares. In the 80’s he produced the Four Tops “I’m Ready For Love“ and recorded a duet with Amii Stewart a cover of two Motown classics, “My Guy/My Girl“. He also recorded for northern soul enthusiast and influential DJ turned producer Ian Levine in the 90’s.