The Boomer REport - Music Fun Facts

The Spinners - 10 Fun Facts

  1. They started at Motown, but were mostly overlooked – The Spinners (a.k.a. The Detroit Spinners) signed with Motown in 1964 but only had minor hits during their time there.
  2. Their breakout hit came after they left Motown – Once they moved to Atlantic Records and teamed up with producer Thom Bell, their career exploded with I’ll Be Around in 1972.
  3. They were originally called The Domingoes. They changed to "The Spinners" (named after hubcaps) to avoid confusion with another group.
  4. They were often mistaken for The Temptations – Similar suits, moves, and vocal blend led many fans to confuse the two, especially before The Spinners hit their stride.
  5. Their sound helped define “Philly Soul” – With Bell’s lush arrangements and MFSB’s orchestration, The Spinners’ hits like Could It Be I’m Falling in Love became genre touchstones.
  6. They appeared on Sesame Street and The Midnight Special – Their family-friendly vibe and crossover appeal made them TV favorites in the 1970s.
  7. They were one of the first Black groups featured in Las Vegas revues – The Spinners helped open doors for Black entertainers in traditionally white-dominated venues.
  8. They had 6 consecutive gold albums – From 1973–1977, they dominated R&B radio with a near-perfect run of critically and commercially acclaimed albums.
  9. They recorded duets with Dionne Warwick – Their 1974 hit Then Came You was a #1 pop single—the first for both Warwick and The Spinners.
  10. Their stage routines were perfectly synchronized – Every finger snap, spin, and step was choreographed to create an elegant and precise live show.