Martha Jean “the Queen” Steinberg was, and in a way still is, so much a part of the fabric of Detroit. She was a fixture on Detroit radio for an amazing 37 years, first at WCHB, then WJLB, and finally WQBH.
The woman who once said only half-jokingly that it was “written in the sands of time” that she would be a queen, arrived in Detroit from Memphis, her hometown. There she had been a popular radio personality on the widely listened to WDIA and was recognized frequently as a female pioneer in radio broadcasting.
In Detroit, the Queen was far more than just a deejay. She was also a civic leader, a motivator, a spiritual figure and, in the most positive sense, an agitator.
She was also very funny, on some occasions when she was not trying to be. Like the mornings after an event when she would describe to her listeners what she wore at that affair, and making it clear that she was lookin’ good! And, of course, her outfit usually included an oversized hat made by Mr. Song.
THE FIRST time I ever saw Martha Jean the Queen was when she was one of the emcees at a big show WCHB was presenting at the Fox Theater. In her introduction of Martha & the Vandellas, Queen said, “You know they’ve got to be into somethin’ because one of ’em’s name is Martha!”
Many years later we got to know each other fairly well, particularly during the time when I was doing a newsletter for her organization, Martha Jean the Queen’s Blue Collar Workers of America, which evolved into The Queen’s Community Workers.
On the radio she made me laugh a lot.
A large segment of her audience consisted of middle-aged (and older) women, many of whom lamented the fact that they didn’t have a man.
One day in response to that, Queen actually suggested to the ladies — on the air, mind you — that they call some of their single friends and meet at one of their homes — and hire a male dancer to entertain them!
I thought that was soooooo funny, especially coming from a lady who preached on the radio!
THEN THERE was the time a lonely woman called and asked what she should do about the sad state of her love life. This was the day after Easter. Queen said to her, “You need to stop worrying about a man, and just take that hambone and make you some soup!”
And speaking of men, Queen often expressed her belief that there were not nearly enough “real men” out there.
In the spring of 1973, deep-voiced Barry White’s first hit, “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby,” was all over the radio. After playing it one day, Queen said, “He sounds like a real man. Has anybody seen him?”
Queen organized a gospel show/church service called “Rendezvous With God” featuring a number of big names in gospel music. It took place at Masonic Temple and was a major success.
SHE ARRIVED wearing a long purple gown with a hood — Queen only wore long dresses once she had a spiritual awakening, and pants were out of the question — but brought along a fabulous white gown that she was going wear when she closed the show in her own inimitable way.
Well, she got so caught up in keeping things organized backstage (there were several choirs) and introducing the acts that she forgot to change.
Realizing that fact when it was all over, she turned to me and said playfully, “Why didn’t you remind me? I wanted to do my thang!” What made it extra funny was that we both knew that wasn’t my responsibility.
Queen was known for working her staff hard. One day I and two members of the Blue Collar organization stopped by the radio station (WJLB). As we were leaving, her stressed-out secretary said, “Could you take her with you?”
One year Martha Jean the Queen was chosen to receive a radio pioneer award from the major organization that was presenting the event, at an out of town location. It so happened that a lot of hard-core rap acts were involved with the program as well, and they were all staying at the same hotel Queen was.
“I was afraid to come out of my room,” said Queen.
ON ANOTHER occasion, in Detroit this time, Queen won a favorite radio personality contest, sponsored by another major organization, chosen by mail-in ballots. She had always been a polarizing force — that is, people tended to love her or not like her at all, very little middle ground.
When the winners were announced, some people in the audience booed. An incensed Queen told them, “You might not be able to talk in the morning!” — implying that God might take away their ability to speak because of the disrespect they had shown.
A lady made a donation to the Queen’s organization, but the next week called Queen on the air and said she had a number of bills and needed that money back! That made Queen angry.
She said to the lady, “I’m going to send back your money, but you will not be blessed because you don’t make a donation and then ask for it back!”
NOW THIS next item was not all that funny at the time, but in retrospect it sure is.
An Aretha Franklin album had just been released titled “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” There was a sticker on the cover that said, “Welcome the Queen Home,” or something very similar to that.
Martha Jean the Queen felt that this was a legal and ethical infringement, along with the fact that WQBH was an acronym for “Queen Broadcasts Here.”
A friend of mine, who was a deejay on WQBH, told me that they had been given instructions by the Queen to not play the Aretha Franklin album. When I called Queen to ask why the station was not playing anything from “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism,” she immediately went on the defensive.
“A lot a new albums come out all the time,” she said. “What’s so important about that one?”
Then she added ominously, “You’ve been talking to somebody here and I’m going to find out who it is!”
So I immediately called my friend to warn him that Queen was on the warpath. He knew instantly that this meant he could under no circumstances say he had talked to me because that would have meant being severely reprimanded, if not fired.
That was my only conflict with Martha Jean the Queen Steinberg, a lady I loved and still miss. So often I wonder what her take would be on all of the things that have happened in Detroit since she left us in 2000.
One thing is certain: She would not hesitate to make her feelings known!
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