Founded in 1964, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels’ brand of revved-up R&B was extremely influential even though the band’s lifespan lasted only three years. The members first came together when white soul singer William Levise, Jr. joined forces with a local Detroit rock band featuring Jim McCarty (guitar), Johnny Badanjek (drums), and Earl Elliot (bass). William Levise, Jr. changed his name to Billy Lee and the band christened themselves the Rivieras. The band was discovered by songwriter and producer Bob Crewe, and they moved to New York to begin recording sessions. Discovering that there was already a band called the Rivieras, William Levise, Jr. changed his name to Mitch Ryder and the band became the Detroit Wheels. Their first single, 1965’s “I Need Help (Help Help)”, failed to chart, but they hit the Top 10 with their third single, “Jenny Take a Ride”. The band’s first two albums – Take a Ride and Breakout! – were released in 1966. The single “Little Latin Lupe Lu” reached Number 17 on the charts followed by the massive hits “Devil with a Blue Dress On” (Number 4) and “Sock It to Me – Baby” (Number 6). By this time, the band’s membership had changed as more focus was put on vocalist Mitch Ryder. In 1967, Bob Crewe convinced Mitch Ryder to quit the band and pursue a career as a solo blue-eyed soul singer. The band continued as the Detroit Wheels for two singles before splitting up. Jim McCarty became a member of hard rock band before rejoining his Detroit Wheels bandmate Johnny Badanjek in a band called the Rockets. Mitch Ryder released several solo albums but never achieved the same level of fame he had enjoyed with the Detroit Wheels.
