The Flaming Ember was an American blue-eyed soul band from Detroit, Michigan, United States, who found commercial success starting in the late 1960s.
The group originally formed in Detroit in 1964. At that time they were known as The Flaming Embers, named for a local Detroit restaurant. They recorded for Ed Wingate's Ric-Tic label in 1967, scoring an R&B hit written by George Clinton, "Hey Mama Whatcha Got Good For Daddy." When Berry Gordy, Jr.'s Motown Records purchased Golden World Records/Ric-Tic from Wingate, the Flaming Ember chose not to sign with Motown. In 1969, they signed with Hot Wax Records, after the band had recorded for a number of smaller Detroit-area labels since 1965. Said Dozier years later, "Their drummer Jerry Plunk was a fantastic, emotional singer."
They dropped the "s" from the band's name and scored a pop and rhythm and blues hit with "Mind, Body and Soul" in 1969, reaching number 26 on the US Billboard pop singles chart. They charted again with their signature song "Westbound #9", and "I'm Not My Brother's Keeper". The three songs were all released between late 1969 and late 1970.