Chandler may not be a place you’d expect to see a platinum album.
But Michael Grayson has a collection, all of them from his father.
“He was one of the most famous record producers out of L.A., Miles Grayson,” he proudly proclaimed. “You remember ‘Wild Thing,’ The Troggs? He arranged the music. So like, Chip Taylor would come to Daddy and start singing ‘Wild Thing,’ and my dad would hear the music in his head and start writing it all on paper.”
Michael was born in L.A., but his mother, Peggy, was born and raised right here in Chandler. From the class of 1958, she was a star basketball player and took a Greyhound to L.A. after graduation. Her cousin, Royce Esters - who wrote “Dapper Dan” for Michael Jackson was doing music in L.A. and working with Miles. It was through Royce that the two met. Miles eventually wrote a song about her called “The Girl from Chandler.”
But even Miles had Oklahoma roots; his father was from Checotah.
Michael is chock full of stories about the famous artists and celebrities who used to pop by their home in L.A. or interact with them. He used to go to Smokey Robinson’s house and play bass for his nephews. He even learned how to play the instrument from James Jamerson, one of the most famous bass players, according to Michael.
However, Michael said that growing up around all these famous people, they didn’t think much of it.
“We didn’t really care about who they were because we would go to the studio just to be with our dad, you know, just that was our time being with him just sitting there watching him do music,” he said.
Michael said that despite his upbringing, his father taught him and his brothers the value of work. It started at the age of 8, when his father showed him how records were made while he was visiting the office.
“He was a good dad. He just worked all the time… If we weren’t at the studio, he was on the piano. I mean, all the time,” he said.
Michael said the way they grew up, everyone was characters - they were all fun.
“And I could say, why does everybody want to be my dad’s friend? You know, it was because of the music,” he said.
However, it went both ways. Michael recalled a few times when his father wanted to use his friends to make connections as well. There was a time when Gladys Knight’s son was hanging out at the house with him, and his father came in and played a tape to see what he thought and, ultimately, if his mother might like it.
“I said, ‘Dad, you can’t be harassing my friends like that,’” Michael said with a laugh.
He said his father won awards with other people, but he didn’t care. When Miles Grayson made a song and was done, his mind was on the next record. Winning awards never meant anything to him.
While he may be gone - Miles passed away in 2019 - it’s clear that his legacy lives on through his family. Michael is still involved in music. He gathers instruments to donate to children in the city. He also still plays the bass at times, among other business ventures. His son Miles, who is named after his father, plays piano.
And there are still the stories, of which Michael has many.