Suzee Ikeda
Encyclopedia
Suzee Ikeda is an American
singer who was the first Asian-American solo artist at Motown
. However, she is best known for her work "behind the scenes" at Motown with such acts as Michael Jackson
and The Temptations
.
Initially assigned to Mowest, Motown's subsidiary label, her first single was a cover version
of "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" from the Disney film, "Song of the South." The single failed to chart.
In April 1973, Suzee released her first single on the Motown label, a ballad written by Charles Fox
and Norman Gimbel
called, "Time For Me to Go." Unfortunately, the single and her solo career went nowhere.
During her tenure at Motown she was described as a "creative confidant" of Michael Jackson
. “Michael Jackson could make you forget he was so young,” writes Suzee Ikeda, in her introductory essay to Hello World: The Complete Motown Solo Collection.
Ikeda's rapport with artists, soon led to a new role behind the scenes as a production executive for the company. One of her early projects was the A Song for You
album by The Temptations
, released in 1975.
In 1983, Ikeda became one of the principal players in Super Three, a division of Motown responsible for developing new and existing acts. Other participants in the partnership were off again-on again Motown figure Ray Singleton
and Guy Costa (brother of musician and arranger Don Costa
), the latter who served as the entity's creative director.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer who was the first Asian-American solo artist at Motown
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
. However, she is best known for her work "behind the scenes" at Motown with such acts as Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
.
Biography
Born Susan Wendy Ikeda on August 25, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of a Japanese father and a Japanese mother.Initially assigned to Mowest, Motown's subsidiary label, her first single was a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" from the Disney film, "Song of the South." The single failed to chart.
In April 1973, Suzee released her first single on the Motown label, a ballad written by Charles Fox
Charles Fox (composer)
Charles Ira Fox is an American composer for film and television. His most heard compositions are probably the "love themes" , and the dramatic theme music to ABC's Wide World of Sports and the original Monday Night Football.....
and Norman Gimbel
Norman Gimbel
Norman Gimbel is an American lyricist of popular songs, television and movie themes whose writing career includes such titles as "Sway", "Canadian Sunset", "Summer Samba", "The Girl from Ipanema", "Killing Me Softly With His Song", "Meditation" and "I Will Wait for You", along with an Oscar for...
called, "Time For Me to Go." Unfortunately, the single and her solo career went nowhere.
During her tenure at Motown she was described as a "creative confidant" of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. “Michael Jackson could make you forget he was so young,” writes Suzee Ikeda, in her introductory essay to Hello World: The Complete Motown Solo Collection.
Ikeda's rapport with artists, soon led to a new role behind the scenes as a production executive for the company. One of her early projects was the A Song for You
A Song for You (Temptations album)
A Song for You is a 1975 album by The Temptations. The album features two R&B number-one hits, "Happy People" , and "Shakey Ground", one of the group's final R&B number-one songs....
album by The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, released in 1975.
In 1983, Ikeda became one of the principal players in Super Three, a division of Motown responsible for developing new and existing acts. Other participants in the partnership were off again-on again Motown figure Ray Singleton
Ray Singleton
Ray Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton is an American R&B producer, songwriter and vocalist, best known for her association with ex-husband Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown.-Early life:...
and Guy Costa (brother of musician and arranger Don Costa
Don Costa
Don Costa was an American pop music arranger and record producer, best known for his work with Frank Sinatra.-Career:...
), the latter who served as the entity's creative director.
As a Recording Artist
| Release | Single | Cat. # |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1971 | "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" b/w "Bah Bah Bah" | MoWest 5004 |
| Jun 1972 | "I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel For You" b/w "Mind, Body & Soul" | MoWest 5016 |
| Apr 1973 | "A Time For Me to Go" b/w "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" | Motown 1237 |
Serving in Various Capacities
| Release Date | Album | Artist(s) or Group | Capacity(ies) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1973 | Diana & Marvin Diana & Marvin Diana & Marvin is a duets album by soul musicians Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, released October 26, 1973 on Motown. Recording sessions for the album took place in 1972 and 1973 at Motown Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. Featuring vocal collaborations by Gaye and Ross, widely recognized at... |
Diana Ross Diana Ross Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway... & Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range.... |
Production Coordination; Production Assistant |
| Jan 1975 | A Song for You A Song for You (Temptations album) A Song for You is a 1975 album by The Temptations. The album features two R&B number-one hits, "Happy People" , and "Shakey Ground", one of the group's final R&B number-one songs.... |
The Temptations The Temptations The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,... |
Producer |
| 1980 | Jose Feliciano | Jose Feliciano José Feliciano José Feliciano is a Puerto Rican singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer known for many international hits including the 1970 holiday single "Feliz Navidad".-Childhood:... |
Producer |
| Sep 1983 | Commodores 13 Commodores 13 Commodores 13 is a 1983 album by the Commodores. It was also the first such album without lead singer, Lionel Richie, in the group. It is also the last album to feature guitarist Thomas McClary before he left and recorded a solo album for Motown in 1984, then leaving the music business altogether... |
The Commodores | Project Manager |
| 1986 | Dancing on the Ceiling Dancing on the Ceiling Dancing on the Ceiling is Lionel Richie's third album, which was released on July 15, 1986. The title cut was the second biggest single from the album, reaching #1 in the U.S. and #7 in the UK... |
Lionel Richie Lionel Richie Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records... |
Engineer; Background vocals |
External links
- [ All Music Guide]
- First Universal Network