Sue Cassidy Clark papers, 1960-1990 | Center for Black Music Research

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Collection Overview

Title: Sue Cassidy Clark papers, 1960-1990

Predominant Dates:1969-1973

ID: 1000/CLARK_1011

Primary Creator: Clark, Sue C.

Extent: 36.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: The papers are arranged into seven series, “Artists,” “Other Topics,” “Periodicals,” “Printed Music, “Scrapbooks,” “Commercial Recordings,” and “Audio Interview Cassettes.”

Date Acquired: 00/00/1992

Subjects: Apollo Theater (New York, N.Y. : 125th Street), Butler, Jerry, Clark, Sue C., Impressions (Musical Group), Journalism, Mayfield, Curtis, Musicians, Black, Music Journalists, New York (City), Popular music - 1981-1990, Popular music - 1991-2000

Forms of Material: Soul music, Soul music (genre)

Languages: English

Abstract

Sue Cassidy Clark was a music journalist and photographer who specialized in soul, gospel, and rock music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Sue Cassidy Clark papers include Clark's recorded interviews, interview transcripts, photographs, published articles, correspondence, handwritten notes, clippings, promotional print material, and commercial sound recordings.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection includes recorded interviews that Clark conducted with significant and influential African-American musicians, typed transcriptions of many of these interviews, copies of published articles, photographs, many of which were taken by Clark, correspondence, handwritten notes, research material (including clippings and promotional print material), and her collection of recordings.

Many of the individuals with whom Clark conducted interviews were musical pioneers, and the period in which the interviews took place was a time when American popular music was evolving rapidly. Clark's interviews with these artists provide a snapshot of many of them at their artistic and commercial peaks, and the questions she poses on such topics as the directions soul music was taking, the performers' relationship to their audiences, and the artists' reflections on other musicians (contemporary and past) provide considerable insight into the American musical landscape at that time. For a number of the musicians Clark interviewed, there are not many other recorded interviews in existence, and some of the musicians she interviewed are now deceased.

Collection Historical Note

Sue Cassidy Clark was a music journalist and photographer who specialized in soul, gospel, and rock music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She authored the books Rock: A World Bold as Love (Cowles, 1970) and The Superstars: In Their Own Words (Music Sales, 1972), and she contributed articles and record reviews to several periodicals, including Billboard, Black Stars, Creem, Hit Parader, Rolling Stone, Rock, Soul Illustrated, and Soul Sounds.

Biographical Note

Sue Cassidy Clark, director of creative services for Command/Probe Records

Subject/Index Terms

Apollo Theater (New York, N.Y. : 125th Street)
Butler, Jerry
Clark, Sue C.
Impressions (Musical Group)
Journalism
Mayfield, Curtis
Musicians, Black
Music Journalists
New York (City)
Popular music - 1981-1990
Popular music - 1991-2000

Administrative Information

Repository: Center for Black Music Research

Alternate Extent Statement: 36 boxes

Access Restrictions: Varies. See finding aid for restrictions on interviews.

Use Restrictions: Most of the collection is open for public use. Some individuals restrict access to interviews.

Physical Access Note: Includes sound discs, photographs and photograph negatives, 45 rpm and 33 1/3 rpm and cassette recordings

Acquisition Source: Clark, Sue Cassidy

Finding Aid Revision History: revised by Adam Melville, March 6, 2018.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Artists, circa 1960-1990],
[Series 2: Other Musical Topics, 1960-1999],
[Series 3: Periodical Issues, 1962-1999],
[Series 4: Printed Music, 1948-1997],
[Series 5: Scrapbooks, 1950-1966],
[Series 6: Commercial Recordings],
[All]

Series 1: Artists, circa 1960-1990

Arranged alphabetically by performer name, subarranged by material.

Box 1

Folder 1: Abrams, Muhal Richard

1 clipping

Folder 2-3: Aletti, Vince

Postcard; various articles and reviews written by Aletti

Folder 4: Allen, Rance

Promotional print material

Folder 5-11: Allen ARC Singers

Interview (transcript): 1979 March 24; 1 published article; Handwritten notes; Related correspondence; Promotional material; Photographs

Disc (CD-R) 1-2: Allen ARC Singers (Interview), 1979 March 24: Sound recording

Folder 12: Ammons, Gene

1 clipping

Folder 13-18: Andrews, Inez

1 published article; promotional material; 3 photographs, 1978; 1 promotional photo; photographs.

Disc (CD-R) 3: Andrews, Inez (Interview), 1978 October 7: Sound recording

Folder 19: Ashford and Simpson

Print material

Folder 20-26: Bell, Thom

Interview transcript; 2 typescript articles, correspondence; promotional material; clippings; 7 photographs, 1 proof sheet; 2 promotional photographs.

Disc (CD-R) 4-6: Interview, 1973 June 3: Sound recording.

Folder 27: Biblical Gospel Singers

Promotional print material.

Folder 28: Blakey, Art

Print material.

Folder 29-33: Booker T & the M.G.s

Interview transcript, accompanying notes; promotional print material; clippings; 4 promotional photos, 2 photographs.

Disc (CD-R) 7-8: Booker T & the M.G.'s Interview, 1970 March 23: Sound recording.

Folder 34: Borgen, Chris

Print material.

Folder 35: Bristol, Johnny

3 photographs; 1 photo proof sheet; photo negatives.

Disc (CD-R) 9: Bristol, Johnny (Interview), 1974 October 25: Sound recording. Interview location: New York.

Folder 36-39: Brown, James

Handwritten notes; promotional material; clippings; print materials.

Folder 40-43: Brown, Ray

Related correspondence; handwritten notes; clippings; print material.

Folder 44-45: Bryant, Ray

Handwritten notes; print material.

Box 2

Folder 46-58: Butler, Jerry

Interview transcripts; typescript articles and notes; published articles; correspondence; promotional print material; clippings, print material; 7 photographs; 2 photographs [for or by] Essence magazine; 3 photographs by Steven Paley; 10 promotional photographs; 1 promotional photograph of Butler with Brenda Lee Eager.

Disc (CD-R) 10: Butler, Jerry (Interview), 1969 February 28: Sound recording.
Disc (CD-R) 11-12: Butler, Jerry (Interview), 1969 September 13: Sound recording.
Disc (CD-R) 13: Butler, Jerry (Interview "WOR FM"), 1969 October 12: Sound recording.
Disc (CD-R) 14: Butler, Jerry (Interview), 1970 March 7: Sound recording.
Disc (CD-R) 16: Butler, Jerry (Interview), 1978 November 24: Sound recording.
Disc (CD-R) 15: Butler, Jerry (Interview), 1973 May 12: Sound recording. Location: Apollo Theatre.
Disc (CD-R) 65: Butler, Jerry (Interview): Sound recording. Undated.
Disc (CD-R) 76-77: Butler, Jerry (Interview), 1972 August 24: Sound recording. Location: Apollo Theatre.

Folder 59: Byrd, Gary, 1974 January 17

2 Photographs and negatives.

Disc (CD-R) 151: Byrd, Gary (Interview): Sound recording. Undated. "Gary Byrd re: Stevie [Wonder]."

Folder 60: Caesar, Shirley

1 photo proof sheet, negatives.

Folder 61: The Caravans

Handwritten notes.

Folder 62-65: Charles, Ray

Promotional material; clippings; print material; 6 promotional photographs; 1 color slide.

Folder 66: Clark, Sue Cassidy

Correspondence; 1 photograph (2 copies), circa 1970.

Folder 67: The Cleftones, August-September 1971

Periodical issue: Bim Bam Boom, Vol. 1, issue 1.

Folder 68: Cocker, Joe

Print material.

Folder 69-74: Coltrane, John

Promotional print material; typescript article (author unknown); funeral program; periodical issues: Jazz Hot, No. 142 (April 1959); Jazz Hot; No. 172 (January 1962); Jazz Times, Vol. 21, No. 7 (October 1991); clippings; print material; 5 promotional photographs.

Folder 75: Crouch, Stanley

Print material.

Folder 76: Dailey, Albert

Photocopy of liner notes to The Day After the Dawn.

Folder 77-78: Davis, Billy

Related correspondence; 1 clipping.

Folder 79-80: Davis, Miles

Clippings; print material.

Folder 81-83: Dawn, 1972 January 22

Interview transcript: 1972 January 22 (New York); related correspondence; promotional print material.

Folder 84: The Delfonics

1 published article.

Disc (CD-R) 17: The Delfonics (Interview), 1971 January 22: Sound recording. Location: New York.

Folder 85: The Dells

Print material.

Folder 86-93: The Dixie Hummingbirds

Handwritten notes; promotional print material; clippings; print material; 5 photographs (1978 November 10, Yale University); 1 photograph [from Dinah Shore show?]; 6 promotional photographs; photographs (by Sue C. Clark).

Box 3

Folder 94: Edison, Sweets

Print material.

Folder 95-96: Ellington, Duke

1 promotional bio; print material.

Folder 97: Elvin Jones Trio

Folder 98-103: The Emotions

Interview transcript; published article; typescript notes; promotional print material; print material; 7 promotional photographs, 2 autographed.

Disc (CD-R) 18-19: The Emotions (Interview), 1973 February 5: Sound recording.

Folder 104: Faith, Hope and Charity

1 promotional photograph.

Folder 105: Farmer, Art

Concert programs, with handwritten notes (by Clark).

Folder 106-107: Fournier, Vernel, with Albert "Tootie" Heath

Memorial concert program; 1 clipping; print material.

Disc (CD-R) 20-23: Fournier, Vernel with Albert "Tootie" Heath (Interview), 1997 October 11: Sound recording (4 discs).

Folder 108-111: Franklin, Aretha

Typescript article; print material; 1 photograph (not by Clark); photographs (by Clark).

Folder 112-114: Fuqua, Harvey

Interview transcript; business card; print material.

Disc (CD-R) 24-25: Fuqua, Harvey (Interview), 1971 March 12: Sound recording.

Folder 115-118: Gamble and Huff (Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff)

Promotional print material; clippings; print material; 1 promotional photograph.

Folder 119-121: Gaye, Marvin

Clippings; print material; promotional photograph.

Folder 122-125: Gillespie, Dizzy

Memorial service program; promotional print material; clippings; print material; photographs (by Clark).

Folder 126: Golden Fleece Records

Photographs.

Folder 127-136: Golson, Benny

Notes; application and correspondence relating to Guggenheim Fellowship; correspondence relating to American Jazz Masters Fellowship; list of associates and contact information; 2 postcards from Golson; related correspondence; promotional print material; concert programs; clippings; print material; photographs (by Clark).

Folder 137-145: Graham Central Station

Interview transcript; 1 typescript article with accompanying letter; 1 typescript draft; handwritten notes; liner notes from Ain't No 'Bout-A-Doubt It LP; concert ticket; 17 photographs of live performances; 9 photographs of Larry Graham; photo negatives, includes of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson; 4 photo proof sheets [all by Clark].

Disc (CD-R) 26-27: Graham Central Station (Interview), 1976 August 5: Sound recording. Interview with Larry Graham. Location: Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York.

Box 4

Folder 146-160: Green, Al

Interview transcripts; typescript and published articles; autographed periodical issue: Soul Sound, Vol. 5, No. 14 (December 1972); typescript and handwritten notes; promotional print material; clippings; print material; photographs , 1 proof sheet (by Clark); 2 phtographs by Bude Lee (London Records); 2 photographs by Herb Robinson (Hi/London Records); 8 photographs (uncredited), includes 1 photo of Green with Ella Fitzgerald; 4 promotional photographs.

Disc (CD-R) 30: Green, Al (Interview), 1972 September 20: Sound recording. Location: Richard Gersh office.
Disc (CD-R) 28-29: Green, Al (Interview), 1976 August 5: Sound recording. Location: Gorham Hotel, New York.

Folder 161: Gregory, Dick

Print material.

Folder 162-164: Guy, Buddy, 1968 April 28

Interview transcript (1968 interview); published article; print material.

Folder 165: Hanks, Len Ron and Grey, Zane

Photographs

Folder 166-172: Hawkins, Edwin

Interview transcript; typescript and published article; handwritten and typescript notes; promotional bio; clippings; print material.

Disc (CD-R) 32-33: Hawkins, Edwin (Interview), 1969 June 25: Sound recording.

Folder 173: Hayes, Isaac

Disc (CD-R) 34: Hayes, Isaac (Interview), 1969 December 12: Sound recording.

Folder 174: Heath, Albert Tootie

Print material. (See also Fournier, Vernel).

Folder 175: Heath Brothers

Handwritten notes.

Folder 176: Heath, Percy

Funeral program with handwritten notes.

Folder 177: Henderson, Joe

Print material.

Folder 178-183: Hendrix, Jimi

NOTE: THE HENDRIX ESTATE IS NOT OPEN TO REQUESTS FOR USE OF THE MATERIALS.

Related correspondence; clippings; interview documents; interview transcript; print material; photographs.

Folder 184: Hines, Earl

Print material.

Folder 185: Hinton, Milt

Clipping: obituary.

Disc (CD-R) 31: Harpo, Slim (Interview), 1968

Sound recording. Maybe in November. No other types of materials on Slim Harpo.

Disc (CD-R) 35-36: Henry, Adrian (Interview), 1969 September 28

Sound recording.

Box 5

Folder 186-188: Horn, Shirley

Handwritten notes; 1 clipping; concert programs; San Franciso Jazz Festival 20th Anniversary booklet; print material.

Folder 189: Hunter, Ivory Joe

Clipping: obituary.

Folder 190: Hutch, Willie

1 clipping.

Folder 191-195: The Impressions

Interview transcripts; typescript article; souvenir booklet (2 copies); 1 snapshot; 1 photograph of Leroy Hutson (uncredited); 8 promotional photographs.

Disc (CD-R) 37: The Impressions (Interview), 1971 March 4: Sound recording. Location: Apollo Theater.
Disc (CD-R) 38: The Impressions (Interview): Sound recording. Undated.
Disc (CD-R) 42: The Impressions (Interview), 1972 March 9: Sound recording. "At Buddah."

Folder 196-204: The Isley Brothers

Interview transcripts; typescript articles and drafts; 1 published article; typescript and handwritten notes; permission for use in the book; promotional and print material; 1 uncredited photograph.

Disc (CD-R) 39: The Isley Brothers (Interview), 1969 October 1: Sound recording.
Disc (CD-R) 40-42: The Isley Brothers (Interview), 1971 December 3: Sound recording. Interview with Kelly Isley. Location: T Neck Records office, New York.

Folder 205: Jackson 5

Folder 206-208: Jackson, Milt

Folder 209-212: Jamal, Ahmad

Box 6

Folder 213-219: Jamal, Ahmad

Box 7

Folder 220-228: Jamal, Ahmad

Box 8

Folder 229: James, Etta
Folder 230: Jefferson Airplane
Folder 231-238: Jeter, Claude
Folder 239: Johnson, Howard
Folder 240: Johnson, J.J.
Folder 241-244: Jones, Elvin
Folder 245: Jones, Hank
Folder 246-256: Kendricks, Eddie

Item 43-46: Jeter, Claude (Interview 1978 March 9 (New York))

Item 47: Kendricks, Eddie (Interview 1971 June 22 (with Vince Aletti))

Item 48: Kendricks, Eddie (Interview 1973 April 20. New York))

Item 49-50: Kendricks, Eddie (Interview 1974 March 26. Drake Hotel)

Box 9

Folder 257: Khan, Chaka
Folder 258-267: King, B.B.
Folder 268-272: Knight, Gladys (Includes Gladys Knight and The Pips)

Item 51: King, B.B. (Interview 1968 August 22)

Item 53: Knight, Gladys (Includes Gladys Knight and The Pips) (Interview 1969 October 14)

Item 54-55: Knight, Gladys (Includes Gladys Knight and The Pips) (Interview 1974 August 7 (Wallingford, Connecticut))

Item 52: Knight, Gladys (Includes Gladys Knight and The Pips) (Interview [undated])

Box 10

Folder 273-281: LaBelle, Patti (Includes musical group LaBelle)
Folder 282: Lateef, Yusef
Folder 283: Levy, John
Folder 284: Lincoln, Abbey
Folder 285: Little Anthony and the Imperials
Folder 286-288: Little Richard
Folder 289: Lloyd, Charles
Folder 290: Love, Airrion
Folder 291-312: The Main Ingredient
Folder 313-321: The Manhattans

Item 58: LaBelle, Patti (Includes musical group LaBelle) (Interview 1974 October 31 (New York))

Item 57: Little Richard (Interview 1969 November 4)

Item 58-59: The Main Ingredient (Interview 1972 September 12)

Item 60: The Main Ingredient (Interview 1974 May 1)

Item 61-62: The Main Ingredient (Interview 1975 September 29)

Item 63-64: The Manhattans (Interview 1974 September 17)

Box 11

Folder 322: Marsalis, Branford
Folder 323-324: Marsalis, Wynton
Folder 325: Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Folder 326-327: Mathis, Johnny
Folder 328-334: Mayfield, Curtis
Folder 335: McPartland, Marian
Folder 336: Mitchell, Billy
Folder 337: Mitchell, Willie
Folder 338: Modern Jazz Quartet
Folder 339-341: Monk, Thelonious
Folder 342: Natural Four
Folder 343-354: The O'Jays

Box 12

Folder 362: Parker, Charlie
Folder 363-366: The Peaches
Folder 367: Peebles, Ann
Folder 368-369: The Persuaders
Folder 370-374: The Persuasions
Folder 375-376: Peterson, Oscar
Folder 377-385: Pickett, Wilson
Folder 386: Pryor, Richard
Folder 387: Ragovoy, Jerry
Folder 355-361: The O'Jays

Item 67: The O'Jays (Interview 1973 January 13 ("Eddie Levert and Walter Williams backstage at the Apollo"))

Item 68: The O'Jays (Interview 1973 January 16 ("Ramada Inn")

Item 66: The O'Jays (Interview 1973 April 13 ("Jamaica")

Item 69-70: The O'Jays (Interview 1973 July 17 (Eddie Levert; Atlantic City, NJ))

Item 71: The O'Jays (Interview 1973 August 22 (Washington, DC))

Item 72-74: The O'Jays (Interview 1977 April 4 (Cleveland, Ohio))

Item 75: The O'Jays (Press conference 1977 May 11 (Cleveland, Ohio))

Item 78: The Persuaders (Interview 1974 April 23 ("Atlantic Records"))

Item 79: The Persuasions (Interview 1972 March 13 ("Apollo Theatre"))

Item 80-81: Pickett, Wilson (Interview 1969 April 30)

Item 82: Pickett, Wilson (Interview 1973 April 3 ("New York"))

Item 83: Ragovoy, Jerry (Interview 1969 October 28)

Box 13

Folder 388-392: Redding, Otis
Folder 393: Reeves, Martha
Folder 394: Roberts, Marcus
Folder 395-396: Robinson, Smokey
Folder 397-408: Rollins, Sonny

Item 84: Reeves, Martha (Interview 1969 October[?] 31)

Box 14

Folder 410: Robinson, Smokey
Folder 409-420: Ruffin, David
Folder 421-427: Rufus and Chaka Khan
Folder 428: Rushen, Patrice
Folder 429-436: Sam and Dave
Folder 437: Schaap, Phil
Folder 438-442: Scott, Freddie
Folder 443: Seger, Bob
Folder 444-445: Sensational Nightingales
Folder 446: Shaw, Artie
Folder 447-448: Silver, Horace
Folder 449-452: Simone, Nina
Folder 453-454: The Smith Connection

Item 85: Robinson, Smokey (Interview 1969 August 25)

Item 86-87: Robinson, Smokey (Interview 1969 August 26)

Item 88: Robinson, Smokey (Press conference 1972 June 23 (Madison Square Garden))

Item 89-92: Ruffin, David (Interviews 1969 August 31; 1969 September 7)

Item 93-94: Ruffin, David (Interview 1975 February 1)

Item 95-96: Rufus and Chaka Khan (Interview 1976 October 2 (Plaza Hotel [conclusion]))

Item 99-100: Scott, Freddie (Interview 1970 April 17)

Item 102: Simone, Nina (Interview [undated])

Item 103-104: The Smith Connection (Interview 1973 March 9)

Box 15

Folder 455-471: The Spinners
Folder 472-481: Staple Singers

Item 105: The Spinners (Interview 1973 March 15 (Buddy Allen's office))

Item 103, 104: The Spinners (Interview 1973 March 16)

Item 106, 107: The Spinners (Interview 1973 June 20 (Apollo Theatre))

Item 108: The Spinners (Interview 1973 July 29 (Detroit))

Item 109: The Spinners (Interview 1974 January 16 (Cherry Hill, NJ))

Item 110: The Spinners (Interview 1974 March 22 (Holiday Inn))

Item 111: Staple Singers (Interview 1969 October 19)

Item 113: Staple Singers (Interview 1969 November 9 (Yvonne Staples))

Item 112: Staple Singers (Interview 1971 February 10)

Box 16

Folder 482-484: Stone, Sly
Folder 485-493: The Stylistics
Folder 494: Summers, Bill
Folder 495-507: Taj Mahal

Item 114: Stone, Sly (Interview 1969 February 6)

Item 115: Stone, Sly (Interview 1969 October 10)

Item 116-117: The Stylistics (Interview 1972 July 21)

Item 118-119: The Stylistics (Interview 1973 March 8 (Apollo Theatre))

Item 120-121: The Stylistics (Interview 1973 June 1 (Herb Murrell, Airrion Love))

Item 122: Taj Mahal (Interview 1970 March 15)

Item 123: Taj Mahal (Interview 1970 April 11 ("Capitol Theatre"))

Item 126: Taj Mahal (Interview 1971 January 15-16 (Fillmore East))

Item 129-131: Taj Mahal (Interview 1971 February 11 (Fillmore East))

Item 127-128: Taj Mahal (Interview 1971 May 23 (Fillmore East))

Item 132: Taj Mahal (Interview 1974 October 18 (New York))

Item 133-134: Taj Mahal (Interview 1977 October 7 (Essex House, New York))

Box 17

Folder 508-516: Taylor, Johnnie
Folder 517-521: The Temptations
Folder 522: Terry, Clark
Folder 523-524: The Trammps
Folder 525: Turner, Tina
Folder 526: Unidentified Photographs
Folder 527-532: Warwick, Dionne
Folder 533-535: Wexler, Jerry
Folder 536: Wilson, Al
Folder 537-540: Withers, Bill

Item 135: Taylor, Johnnie (Interview 1972 February 7 (Apollo Theatre))

Item 136-137: Walker, Junior (Interview 1972 May 16 (Apollo Theatre))

Item 138-139: Withers, Bill (Interview 1971 July 14 (Buddah Records))

Box 18

Folder 541-556: Wonder, Stevie
Folder 557: Wynee, Philippe

Item 140-142: Withers, Bill (Interview 1971 November 23 (Buddah Records))

Item 143-144: Wonder, Stevie (Interview 1970 August 14 (Apollo Theatre))

Item 145-148: Wonder, Stevie (Interview 1971 March 5-6 (Madison Square Garden and hotel room))

Item 149: Wonder, Stevie (Interview 1972 October 6)

Item 150: Wonder, Stevie (Press conference 1973 September 11 (New York))

Box 38

Item O/S: Coltrane, John, circa 1960, 1960: 4 oversized photographs by Jim Marshall. Not in folders. Possibly framed.
Folder 602: Brown, Ray, circa 1960: 1 photograph by Jim Marshall, oversized.

Box 39

Item O/S2: Gillespie, Dizzy (oversized photograph), circa early 1960s: 1 photograph by Jim Marshall, oversized, not in a folder.