Choker Campbell

American saxophonist, songwriter, producer, band leader, and label owner. Born March 21, 1916 in Shelby, Mississippi ; died July 20, 1993 in Detroit, Michigan. His family moved to Saginaw, Michigan, when he was only five years old. Campbell led the first of Motown Records’ road bands that accompanied the label’s acts on tour. When his position was taken over by Earl Van Dyke, Campbell began leading the house band at Detroit’s Graystone Ballroom, where several Motown live albums were recorded, including [m344194]. In 1969 he founded Tri-City Recording Co. in Saginaw, Michigan which included the sub-labels Tri-City (2), Moonville U.S.A., Better World, and Ultra-City. In 1977 he founded Starfire Records (4) and in 1986 he founded the label Campo Artists, which included the sub-labels New Detroit and Angel.