The Detroit Wheels
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Detroit , United States |
| Products | Rock music, albums, singles |
The Detroit Wheels were a rock ensemble from Detroit, established in 1964, primarily functioning as the backing band for Mitch Ryder until 1967.
During the mid-1960s, the group secured multiple top twenty placements on the Billboard charts before lead vocalist Ryder was encouraged by producer Bob Crewe to embark on a solo path, resulting in the band's breakup. Former members Jim McCarty and Johnny "Bee" Badanjek subsequently became the foundational lineup of The Rockets, following McCarty's achievements with the hard rock outfit Cactus. After Ryder's solo endeavors did not succeed, he formed a derivative group named The Band Detroit, which issued one album that later developed a dedicated fanbase.
History
Emerging from Detroit's early 1960s music scene, William Levise, Jr. (who later adopted the stage name Mitch Ryder) joined forces with guitarist Jim McCarty, bassist Earl Elliot, and drummer Johnny "Bee" Badanjek in a rock band. Initially called Billy Lee and the Rivieras, they rebranded as Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels after relocating to New York to record under producer Bob Crewe’s guidance.
The band became renowned for their vigorous live shows and an intensified rhythm and blues approach. Their breakthrough came in 1965 with "Jenny Take a Ride," which climbed to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B chart—a notable achievement for a self-contained rock group at that time. This single sold over a million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. Originally intended as a B-side, Crewe changed plans after receiving enthusiastic feedback from members of The Rolling Stones during production.
Other chart successes included "Little Latin Lupe Lu" (reaching No. 17) and the medley "Devil with a Blue Dress On"/"Good Golly Miss Molly" (peaking at No. 4), which featured session keyboardist Barry Goldberg. Their discography combined reinterpretations of R&B standards with original songs across several albums.
In 1967, they scored another top ten hit with "Sock It to Me, Baby!," which faced bans from some radio stations due to its suggestive lyrics, followed by their final hit "Too Many Fish in the Sea"/"Three Little Fishes," which reached No. 24. Subsequently, Crewe persuaded Ryder to pursue a solo career.
Following Ryder’s exit, Badanjek fronted a brief iteration of The Detroit Wheels that recorded tracks including "Linda Sue Dixon," which attained international chart presence in 1968. Details about this lineup remain uncertain.
When Ryder’s solo efforts failed to gain momentum, he and Badanjek formed The Band Detroit in 1969, releasing a self-titled album featuring a cover of Lou Reed’s "Rock & Roll." Reed appreciated this version enough to recruit Detroit guitarist Steve Hunter. Despite this connection, their tour did not meet expectations, and the group dissolved after Ryder departed once more. This final lineup included notable musicians such as Rusty Day and Steve "Crawdaddy" Gaines.
In 1972, Badanjek and McCarty reunited to establish The Rockets, releasing multiple albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. McCarty continues his musical career with Mystery Train, accompanied by Badanjek on stage. Additionally, McCarty collaborated with Rusty Day, Tim Bogert, and Carmine Appice in the band Cactus.
Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
Take a Ride... (1966)
1. Shake A Tail Feather
2. Come See About Me
3. Let Your Lovelight Shine
4. Just A Little Bit
5. I Hope
6. Jenny Take A Ride (#15 CAN)
7. Please, Please, Please
8. I'll Go Crazy
9. I Got You
10. Sticks And Stones
11. Bring It On Home To Me
12. Baby Jane (Mo-Mo Jane)
13. Joy
- Reissued by Sundazed Music, ASIN B000003GX4.
Breakout...!!! (1966)
1. Walking The Dog
2. I Had It Made
3. In The Midnight Hour
4. Ooh Poo Pah Doo (Jessie Hill)
5. I Like It Like That
6. Little Latin Lupe Lu (#11 CAN)
7. Devil With A Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly (#5 CAN)
8. Shakin' With Linda
9. Stubborn Kind Of Fellow
10. You Get Your Kicks
11. I Need Help
12. Any Day Now
13. Breakout
- Reissued by Sundazed Music, ASIN B000003GX5.
Sock It To Me! (1967)
1. Sock It To Me-Baby (#3 CAN)
2. I Can't Hide It
3. Takin' All I Can Get
4. Slow Fizz
5. Walk On By
6. I Never Had It Better
7. Shakedown Listen Listen
8. A Face In The Crowd
9. I'd Rather Go To Jail
10. Wild Child
11. Too Many Fish In The Sea/Three Little Fishes (#19 CAN)
12. You Are My Sunshine
13. Ruby Baby & Peaches On A Cherry Tree
- Reissued by Sundazed Music, ASIN B000003GX6.
All Mitch Ryder Hits! (1967; Collector's Edition with bonus tracks released in 1993)
1. Devil With A Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly
2. Jenny Take A Ride
3. Joy (#38 CAN)
4. Breakout
5. In The Midnight Hour
6. Sock It To Me - Baby!
7. Little Latin Lupe Lu
8. Takin' All I Can Get
9. Too Many Fish In The Sea/Three Little Fishes
10. I'd Rather Go To Jail
11. Shake A Tail Feather
12. (You've Got) Personality/Chantilly Lace (bonus track) (#45 CAN)
13. Baby I Need Your Loving/Theme For Mitch (bonus track)
- Reissued by Sundazed Music, ASIN B000003GXU.
The Detroit Wheels
- "Dancing In The Street"/"A Taste of Money" (single - Impact 1029, 6/67)
- "Linda Sue Dixon"/"Tally Ho" (single - Inferno 5002, 4/68)
- "Think (About the Good Things)"/"For the Love of a Stranger" (single - Inferno 5003, 9/68)
The Band Detroit
Detroit with Mitch Ryder (1971) Released under Paramount/MCA label, ASIN B00004VPJG.
1. Long Neck Goose 2. Is It You (Or Is It Me) 3. Box of Old Roses 4. It Ain't Easy 5. Rock 'N' Roll 6. Let It Rock 7. Drink 8. Gimme Shelter* 9. I Found A New Love *Additional track on CD edition, not part of the original release
Members
Initial lineup:
- Mitch Ryder – lead vocals, percussion
- Jim McCarty – lead guitar
- John Deleone – drums, percussion
- Mark Manko – lead guitar
- Joe Kubert – rhythm guitar
- Earl Elliott – bass (early substitute)
- Jim McCallister – bass (succeeded Elliott in 1966, appeared on album)
- Johnny "Bee" Badanjek – drums
Subsequent members of Detroit:
- Rusty Day – lead and backing vocals, harmonica, percussion
- Steve Gaines – guitars, backing and lead vocals
- Bill Hodgson – guitars
- Steve Hunter – guitars
- Nathaniel Peterson – bass, backing vocals
- Terry Emery – keyboards, backing and lead vocals
- Ted "T-Mel" Smith – drums, backing and lead vocals, percussion
- Wilson Owens – drums, percussion