So what's the real story?

Well, being one of the former owners I will attempt to shine a little light on the mystery surrounding Frank Wilson's anthem -
'Do I Love You' Soul 35019.
Firstly, the actual discovery was made by a former researcher Tom Dieperro, a Motown historian who worked for them in the mid 70's. The disc unplayed, had been given to him by the company for any future research purposes.
Low on Tom's list of priorities, the disc and its destiny were about to be turned upside down when legendary Northern Soul dealer and record producer Simon Soussan finally met up with him. They both shared a love of Detroit and Motown in particular. Dieperro gave a clutch of oddball 45s, including Frank Wilson to Soussan to listen to.
The initial play was enough to send Simon into a frenzy and with his marketing know-how immediately sent acetates to the UK DJs under tile guise of Eddie Foster.
Understandably it became Northern's biggest ever find and caused much debate as to it's real identity (Simon being notorious for discovering Northern Classics and giving them false identities).
The secret was out in 1978 when Soussan offered his collection to Les McCutcheon (an entrepreneur from Weybridge, Surrey who later formed the band Shakatak amongst other chart successes).
The fact that it was now owned by a relatively unknown player in Les Mac, and the fact that it's origin was Motown, meant collectors gave it a luke warm reception.
Whether or not Les got cold feet or simply moved on to pastures new remains unclear but the disc was subsequently sold to Jonathan Woodliffe, a Nottingham DJ who briefly emerged as one of the UKs top collectors. Jon later became a dance jock and close ally of Alex Lowes and the Southport Dance Weekender.
With a sudden change of heart Jonathon agreed to part company with the record to yours truly, who owned the disc for over 10 years, when my future partner in 'Goldmine/Soul Supply Ltd' and reputedly the worlds biggest Northern Soul dealer offered me (then) the staggering sum of £5,000. At the time I thought that the Northern Scene had bottomed out and I couldn't see prices getting any higher so I agreed to the deal.
Tim Brown has subsequently been offered £15,000 for the side, voted by collectors and DJ's as the biggest Northern Soul single of all time.

Kev Roberts. © 1998

1977
Tom Dieperro discovers the disc at Motown in California
1977
Simon Soussan acquires the disc from Tom in Los Angeles.
1978
Les McCutcheon reputedly paid $500 to Simon for the single. Les loans the single to Russ Winstanley to play. (Russ, later in various publications and CD booklets, claims ownership .. falsely). Winstanley was the key DJ in turning the record into a monster. After a mishap at Wigan Casino the disc accidentally develops an edge warp. Les McCutcheon retrieves the disc from Russ and sells it to Jonathan Woodliffe for a reputed £250.
1979
Jonathan Woodliffe sells the disc to Kev Roberts in an exchange deal valued at £350 for 12", LP's and white demo Funk/Soul releases for his collection.
1989
Kev Roberts sells the disc, warp and all, to Tim Brown for the new world record of £5,000.
1990
The only 'other' copy turns up in Canada with Martin Koppel who aquires an original from former Motown collector Ron Murphy in Detroit.
1996
Tim Brown is offered an earth shattering £15,000 for the ultimate Northern Soul 45.

The End (or is it?)

Notes