Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1972

Story by Jim Skiba

I had just graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in May 1971. During that summer and the next one, I was making some guitar music record albums with some friends. There were eight of us, four men and four women who had been hand-picked for having great voices and being able to harmonize with each other. We had been working together for over a year at this point. We covered all of the voice levels; I was first tenor or sometimes contra tenor when needed. 

We took a break during a recording session for our second album and one of the tech guys came up to me and seemed pretty upset. I did not know the guy very well, just as one of the tech people who helped during the recording. I still remember his voice very clearly as he snarled: “How can you be in the same group with Joni?” I thought and then quickly said: “Wow, what do you mean? She has a great voice. We need her.” Then he said even louder: “Maybe, but how can you be singing with her.”

I then explained slowly that we needed at least 8 of us to sound good and that she was much better than any of us, including me. Finally, this guy said: “She is different and you do not belong with her.” I then proudly said: “Of course she is different, she’s a Soprano, and is great for us as a group. We all bring a new and vibrant energy – that’s why we are successful. She can sing spirituals, I can sing Polish Christmas songs and John can sing Irish pub songs. She’s just Joni and I’m just Jim.” Now the guy was clearly irritated and yelled at me “Yah, but she’s a Negro!” I moved back from him and stated firmly: “Absolutely, and Joni will always be part of this group.”

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