Mike & The Modifiers

Mike Valvano was raised in Detroit, Michigan and grew up loving music. In 1960, aged just seventeen, he signed to Motown with his band Mike & The Modifiers, one of the first white acts on the label. The short lived group had one release "I Found Myself A Brand New Baby" on Gordy Records in 1962. Motown signed group members to individual contracts and so after the band split Valvano stayed on at Hitsville to honour his 7 year deal. He later wrote "I'm A Winner" for Contours and prepare acetates for Motown's quality control. Michael passed away in †2002.