Last month, the Legendary Norman Connors was honored for his commitment to the music industry and his diligent work in taking aspiring stars to the next level of stardom. He has been a force behind great musicians such as Phyllis
Hyman, Marian Meadows, Jean Carne, Michael Henderson, and Stanley Clarke, and most recently, has discovered several new artists on their path in the music business. While he produces his first album in years and writes a book and documentary, he can’t help but reflect on his musical journey.
If you were around during the late 70s and 80s, you should know the masterful genius, Norman Connors. He scored several US hits with songs featuring guest vocalists such as Michael Henderson, Jean Carne, and Phyllis Hyman. The most successful of these was “You Are My Starship, featuring Henderson in 1976, while “Valentine Love,” his first chart success, made #10 R&B in 1975, with vocals from Henderson and Carne. Then the sultry sounds of Phyllis Hyman caught his attention, and a star was born. Maintaining the hype that he brought with number-one hits, Phyllis joined Norman and produced hits like “Betcha! By Golly Wow” and “We Both Need Each Other.”
But what many didn’t know was Norman was born and raised in Philadelphia. “I lived four doors away from Bill Cosby in Richard Allen Projects. He was really good at sports and he was bigger and older than us. I used to play with his brother Russell and would be in and out of their house all the time. He was a good role model, someone to look up to.” He continued, “I was a big drum player. They used to call my house “a music house,” and Bill wanted to be a drummer, but he was better at telling jokes,” Norman explained. “But he used to tell jokes, and people liked him. He went to New York, started advanc- ing, and landed a television show, “I Spy.” His comedy was really clean and conservative, and he became a big star.”
Norman had an interest in jazz from a very early age when he began to play drums. He attended Wister Elementary School, Cooke Junior High, and Central High School and moved to New Jersey, where he graduated from Woodbury High School. “My Mom wanted to get me out of the projects, and she bought a house in New Jersey. I had a great life in the projects though.” During that time, gangs were prevalent in the neighborhoods. In Norman’s area, “The Tender Lions” were the top gang. “I knew a lot of those guys, and they liked me because I played drums. So, I got a free pass and was off limits to the gangs.” He explained, “I never got into a fight in Philly. I was protected by some of the top gangsters of the gangs. It wasn’t until I got into Jersey I got into my first fight,” he laughed.
While in elementary school ,…
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