Career
Turner was raised in Detroit, and sang in doo wop groups and high school choirs while young. He first began recording after winning a contest at the Apollo Theater in New York, recording some solo sides and singing backup for groups called The Stereophonics and The Fabulous Counts. In 1966, record producer Clay McMurray had Turner"s group do a recording session, and soon after Turner signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Records and released a single, a cover of the soul number "Stand by Maine," imitating not only Ben East. King, but Smokey Robinson, Chuck Jackson and Billy Stewart, among others
The tune climbed to #3 on the United States. Billboard Black Singles chart and #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart early in 1967.
Soon after, a full-length album was released, peaking at #14 on the Black Albums chart and #158 on the Billboard 200. A second single from the album, "I Can"t Make it Anymore", peaked at #95 on the Hot 100 popular chart.
Turner left his management after dissatisfaction with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer"s soul division (which consisted only of Howard Tate and himself), and played regionally in the South in the early 1970s. Later that decade, Turner began working with Norman Whitfield, and wrote the tune "Do Your Dance" for Rose Royce, which was a top ten Rhythm & Blues hit.
He did some acting as well.
He continues to perform in Michigan, and released his most recent album in 2006 through Civil Defense Baby. In March 2008 Turner appeared on English man Carl Dixon"s BandTraxs session at Studio A/Detroit, where he provided vocals and writing skills to complete the songs, along with singers Pree, Gayle Butts and other Detroit musicians including Dennis Coffey (co producer) and Uriel Jones.Turner performed lead and backing on "Tell me (crying over you)","Glory fleeting" and in addition backing vocals on "Suddenly there"s you", and as group personnel of "BandTraxs" singing on the funk/rap styled "Detroit (city by the river)". The session was arranged by ex Motown arranger David J. Van De Pitte.
15% of the cover price of Spyder"s single I"m Gonna Mission You, penned by Frances Nero and released on February 1, 2010, is being donated to the Haiti Recovery Fund.