THIS IS THE OFFICIAL MYSPACE OF MARY WELLS. THIS PAGE IS MAINTAINED BY HER CHILDREN. THIS IS AS REAL AS IT GETS.OUR BEAUTIFUL MOTHER SUCCUMBED OF CANCER ON JULY 26, 1992. HER LEGACY LIVES ON THROUGH US.THANKS TO ALL THE FANS AND FRIENDS WHO SUPPORTED HER FROM DAY ONE.IT FEELS GOOD TO KNOW THAT HER MUSIC HAS INFLUENCED SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE.GOD BLESS YOU ALL! MySpace Layouts by Iron Spider
WHO IS MARY WELLS?Founder of the world famous "Motown Sound." Mary Wells is considered not only one of the best female singers in the music industry, but also a vital part of the success of the prestigious label.The legendary first lady of Motown helped put the label on the map with early 60's hits "My Guy," "Two Lovers," "You Beat me To the Punch" and "The One Who Really Loves You," which all made the Top Ten. She was the first from the label to chart in the U. K., the first Motown Grammy nominee and the company's most dependable hit maker in the early years.Mary Esther Wells was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 13, 1943. Her early years were not easy growing up without a father. Her mother did domestic work in order to support her three children. As a small child, Wells suffered a bout of spinal meningitis, which left her temporarily paralyzed, with loss of hearing, and partial blindness in one eye. She eventally returned to good health but suffered the hardship of learning to walk again.Wells' musical roots can be traced back to the church where she began singing around age four at her Uncle Will's Church. At age 10, she began singing in talent contests. While attending Northwestern High School she sang in the choir. As a teenager Wells wrote a song called "Bye Bye Baby" for legendary singer Jackie Wilson. At age 16 she took the song to producer Berry Gordy, Jr. who was having open auditions. Gordy not only bought the song, he signed Wells to a recording contract. Her debut single "Bye Bye Baby" reached #45 on the Pop charts and # 8 on the R & B charts in 1960. Legendary singer Smokey Robinson wrote and produced her biggest Motown hits "Two Lovers" (1963), "You Beat Me to the Punch" (1962) and "The One Who Really Loves You" (1962), and her career peaked when " My Guy" hit the number one spot in mid-1964. She also had success with duets, such as "Once Upon a Time," which she did with the soulful Marvin Gaye.The Beatles had a great deal of admiration for Wells, declaring her their favorite American singer, calling her "their sweetheart" and invited her to the U. K. to tour with them. Upon her return to the states, the Beatles sent Wells several compositions to be released on their next album. In return, she recorded an album called "Love songs to the Beatles."In 1967, Wells married Cecil Womack, brother of Bobby Womack. The pair became a successful writing and producer team releasing a string of hits during the late 60's and 70's such as Dear Lover, The Doctor and Dig the Way I Feel. In 1981, she recorded In and Out of Love, a disco-infused album for Epic Records. The single "Gigolo" became a major dance hit, peaking at #035; 2 on the Billboard disco charts.In 1991, Wells was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx. The treatments ravaged her voice, which forced her to quit touring. That same year she testified before a Congressional Committee to encourage goverment funding for cancer research.In July of 1992 she was hospitalized at the Kenneth Norris, Jr. Cancer Hospital in Los Angeles, California. She lost her battle against the illness on July 26, 1992 at age 49. Mary Wells is survived by 4 beautiful children.
Mary Wells - First Lady of Motown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG7KV85fNBw
