Jackey Beavers

Jackey Beavers ranks among the unsung pioneers of the Detroit soul music scene of the 1960s. Born Robert L. Beavers and raised in Cartersville, GA, after high school he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, MI, where he began singing in military talent shows. Beavers regularly competed against fellow singer/songwriter Johnny Bristol, and in time the rivals agreed to join forces, performing under the name Johnny & Jackey. By 1959 they were appearing regularly at Battle Creek's El Grotto Lounge, where a then-unknown Junior Walker & the All-S...