Carlo Wolff and James O’Hare takes readers through an insightful tour of Cleveland's soulful past in 'Invisible Soul: Uncovering Cleveland’s Underground Soul Scene.” Take a deeper dive into the book's backstory:
Carlo Wolff, left, and James O’Hare do research for their new book, “Invisible Soul: Uncovering Cleveland’s Underground Soul Scene,” at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives in Cleveland. The book evolved from Wolff’s “Invisible Soul” Facebook page. CLEVELAND, Ohio – Carlo Wolff has been passionate about soul music since he was a young boy in the 1950s.
Now Wolff, who turned 80 on Saturday, July 22, has documented his passion in a new book, “Invisible Soul: Uncovering Cleveland’s Underground Soul Scene.” “I said, ‘I have a lot of material; what are we going to do with it?’, and then kind of floundered for a bunch of years,” he says. O’Hare, 66, a Cleveland native who resides in Cleveland Heights, says in addition to editing, he helped with the shaping and direction of the book.
Unlike cities such as Memphis, Kansas City and New York, Cleveland was never blessed with a single thoroughfare to namecheck its brand of soul music, Wolff says. But much of its soul music scene stemmed from a large hub on the city’s East Side that many refer to simply as “105.” Leo’s Casino, which opened in 1963 at 7500 Euclid Ave., regularly booked the top jazz and R&B acts of its era. A key stop for touring Motown artists, the club was one of the most racially integrated nightlife spots in Cleveland.
From 1959 to 1984, owners Thomas and Louise Boddie manufactured records for many soul music artists and others. But all that remains of the business is the Boddie Recording Company sign at 12202 Union Ave.Sadly, many of the artists Wolff interviewed have died, including Lou Ragland, one of four “Invisible Soul Men” he highlights in a four-chapter section of the book.
A large nine-inch-by-nine-inch paperback, “Invisible Soul” features an unusual layout, with a two-column format, and eye-popping illustrations by artist Ron Hill, also a managing partner at Act 3.
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