Cecil Washington

Cecil Washington 60's Soul Singer and a big Northern Soul favourite. Cecil Washington Jr. grew up singing in church and at high school. It was here at Cardoza High School, Washington, D.C. that Washington and his friend Marvin Gaye would have singing competitions. Washington recalled. "He would be at one end of the hall and I'd be at the other. We'd be singing, each with our own doo-wop group backing us up, and see who could attract the largest crowd." Upon leaving high school, Washington followed Gaye to the Detroit area in hopes of being signed. It was here that Gaye,helped line up an audition for Washington with, none other than Motown Records.Washington must of impressed because Motown offered him a contract. But, instead of jumping at the opportunity to join Gaye at Motown, Washington declined the offer. In his mind, Washington felt that the record company was stockpiling talent and he feared his music would end up on the shelf. Washington went on instead, to cut a few records for a small record label, based in Flint, Michigan, called Prophonics. On these releases Cecil was backed by a band named The Group. "I Don't Like to Lose" was released almost by accident. Washington was producing a record for The Group at Prophonics Studios, of which he was,now, part owner. He was attempting to teach The Group's lead singer how to deliver the song with a soulful flair. Writer Bill Tuthill had laid down the original lead vocal for the track but felt it wasn't quite what was wanted. So, Cecil was drafted in to deliver the song with the soulful flair it required. Washington not only sang the song on the record but became the frontman for the band. "I Don't Like to Lose" was one of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of records that were cut on small regional labels during the heyday of the soul sound in the late 1960s .Yet Washington never got a dime in royalties for the songs. After continuing to pay his dues with The Group, Washington appeared ready for his big break, as a television appearance was lined up for "The Joey Bishop Show."That appearance never happened. A short time before he was to appear on the show, Washington kissed the music business goodbye. While Washington gave up his soul music and show business career, he continued to sing, only this time, it was in the church. God grabbed hold of Washington and directed him into the ministry. The Rev. Cecil T. Washington Jr. pastor of New Beginning Baptist Church in Topeka was born. While he never looked back over his decision to pursue the ministry, Washington has found his music hasn't been forgotten. He received a call from a concert promoter promising him $1,000 a show for a concert tour through Europe and the United Kingdom."I Don't Like to Lose" had been rediscovered in the Northern Soul movement. Though Washington turned down the concert offer "I Don't Like to Lose" still has a following in the Northern Soul scene, as evidenced by it being featured on YouTube. As the pastor of New Beginning Baptist Church,Topeka the Rev. Cecil T. Washington Jr continues to sing today to this day with the members of his congregation. He also recalled Paul Potts wasn't happy with the arrangement for the song and wanted it changed but the band resisted. He also recalled how he structured the end of the song to reflect the sound the Beatles got on 'Penny Lane' with their brass work.