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Marvelettes

Motown's First Gold Record

About Me

MarvelettesThe Marvelettes' career epitomized the haphazard progress endured by many of the leading girl-groups of the early 60s. The group was formed in the late 50s by five students at Inkster High School in Michigan, USA: Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Marie Tillman (d. 6 January 1980), Wanda Young, Katherine Anderson and Juanita Grant. They were spotted at a school talent show by Robert Bateman of the Satintones, who introduced them to Berry Gordy, head of the fledgling Motown organization. Bateman co-produced their early releases with Brian Holland, and the partnership found immediate success with "Please Mr Postman" - a US number 1 in 1961, and Motown's biggest-selling record up to that point. This effervescent slice of pop-R&B captivated teenage audiences in the USA, and the song was introduced to an even wider public when the Beatles recorded a faithful cover version on their second album.After an attempt to repeat the winning formula with "Twistin' Postman", the Marvelettes made the Top 20 again in 1962 with "Playboy" and the chirpy "Beechwood 4-5789". The cycle of line-up changes was already underway, with Juanita Grant's departure reducing the group to a four-piece. The comparative failure of the next few singles also took its toll, and by 1965, Tillman had also left. The remaining trio, occasionally augmented by Florence Ballard of the Supremes, was paired with producer/writer Smokey Robinson. He tailored a series of ambitious hit singles for the group, the most successful of which was "Don't Mess With Bill" in 1966 - although "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game' was arguably a more significant achievement.

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Music:

Member Since: 7/9/2006
Band Website: Classic.Motown.com
Band Members: Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Marie Tillman (d. 6 January 1980), Wanda Young, Katherine Anderson and Juanita Grant
Influences: Music of the 50's, and all the Motown Artis... width="425" height="350" ..
Sounds Like: R&B SoulThe MarvelettesSongs of The Stonewall | Stonewall Various Artists | Diana Ross & The Supremes Martha Reeves & The Vandellas | The Marvelettes of Motown | Post-Stonewall Songs | Diana Ross2005Various Artists/The Marvelettes: Motown Treasures["Treasures" c/d cover photo shall be forthcoming!] In this collector's item of "45" (get it?) mostly previously never-before-released songs of Motown artists singing other Motown artists' songs, Wanda Rogers & The Marvelettes perform a breath-takingly sexy "You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin'", a popular Motown flipside song at The Stonewall -- and without doubt, elsewhere -- by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (written by Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson).2004Book: "The Original Marvelettes: Motown's Mystery Girl Group"On the cover of their book (top l-2-r): Marvelettes Wanda Young (giving sax appeal), Katherine Anderson and closed-mouth Gladys Horton; and (bottom): Georgeanna TillmanAt long last, a book has finally been published on the marvellous Marvelettes! It is entitled: "The Original Marvelettes: Motown's Mystery Girl Group". Gladys! Wanda! Katherine! Georgeanna! Wyanetta! ...and only one other, Ann Bogan (many years later)! To all of their fans, The Marvelettes were never a "mystery". At The Stonewall, they were part of the extended family. The book is the interesting, triumphant, challenged and tragical tale of the very first of the four classic Motown girl groups. This is the candidly true and previously untold saga of the Berry first Motown artist to score a million-selling ..1 hit song! Although The Marvelettes continued to have hit songs throughout the 1960s and their popularity continued, albeit to a lesser degree, their touring schedule was often cruel with one nighters spread over many states for a non-stop month without any relief. Their Motown tour "living" accommodations, especially in the racially discriminatory and thus restrictive South, were unpleasant and, sometimes, downright unhealthy. The unusually interesting story is revealed amid the overall golden and beyond years of the legendary Motown Records. Personnel wise, the book focuses on the main three Marvelettes: Gladys Horton, the original, tougher early 1960s lead singer (1961-1968); Wanda Young, the smooth soul and sexy-sounding later 1960s lead singer (1961-1971); and Katherine Anderson, the dedicated "tall one" member and mediator (1961-1969). In addition, the other two original, though relatively short-lived, Marvelettes are included namely Georgeanna Tillman and Wyanetta Cowart. The first professional photo of the original "M-5" is contained in the book.We, of course, would not mention this Marvelettes book without our own Stonewall Era connection. The Stonewall years from 1966 to 1969 are discussed in depth rallying around several Marvelettes' hit songs, which were also exceedingly popular at the Stonewall Club. The main five are "Fish", "Bill", "Hunter", "Magician" and "Destination", all stated as in-crowd abbreviated song titles. Authors of "TOMMMGG" are Marc Taylor and longtime Marvelette "Kat" Anderson-Schaffner. All of our Stonewall Newzletta readers, who have read this long-awaited book, have praised and appreciated it for its well-written personal information about The Marvelettes as well as its candid and unique 411 into Motown Records in general and all of the other interacting Motown artists in particular.1999The Marvelettes: The Millennium CollectionPictured (circa 1964) above (l-2-r): Wanda Young, Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Tillman and Katherine Anderson19901990's new (4th) decade songs by The Marvelettes (on MCR):* "Used To Be A Playboy"* "Hey, What's Your Name"Line-up: Gladys Horton, Wanda Rogers, Jackie and Regina Holleman1989Re-grouped Marvelettes song (on Motor City Records) in 1989:* "Holding On With Both Hands"Line-up: Gladys Horton, Wanda Rogers, Echo Johnson and Jean McLain1988The Marvelettes: The Ultimate CollectionPictured above (circa 1964): Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Tillman, Wanda Young and Katherine AndersonPictured above (l-2-r): Georgeanna, Katherine, Wanda and Gladys1971Final Motown Marvelettes single in 1971:* "A Breath-Taking Guy" =b/w= "You're The One For Me, Bobby"Line-up: Marvelette Wanda Young (lead) and two Mystery Girls1970The Marvelettes: The Return of The MarvelettesPost-Stonewall 1970 Marvelettes sad songs:* "That's How Heartaches Are Made"* "Marionette"Line-up: Miraculous Marvelette Wanda Young-Rogers and The Andantes1969The Marvelettes: In Full Bloom Pictured above (l-2-r): Wanda Rogers (lead singer), Ann Bogan (replaced Gladys Horton last year) and Katherine Anderson (the statuesque one)The Marvelettes' bouncy songs at The Stonewall in 1969:* "Destination: Anywhere" {their Stonewall jukebox song at rebellion time} =b/w= "What's Easy For Two Is So Hard For One"* "I'm Gonna Hold On Long As I Can" [lead: Ann Bogan]Line-up: Wanda Rogers, Ann Bogan and Katherine Anderson1968The Marvelettes: Sophisticated SoulBoating above (l-2-r): Gladys Horton, Wanda Rogers and Katherine Anderson Songs at the 1968 Stonewall by the flirtatious Marvelettes:* "Here I Am Baby"* "Reachin' For Something I Can't Have" {U.K. only}1967The MarvelettesMarvelettes in Holland: Gladys Horton, "Kat" Anderson and Wanda Rogers1967 Marvelettes' sexy hit songs at The Stonewall:* "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game" {..1 R&B}* "When You're Young And In Love" {..1 Stonewall}* "My Baby Must Be A Magician" {..1 NYC} =b/w= "I Need Someone"Line-up: Wanda Rogers, Gladys Horton and Katherine Anderson1966The Marvelettes: Greatest HitsStonewall boy songs in 1966 by The Marvelettes:* "Don't Mess With Bill" {their song when The Stonewall opened as a Gay club}* "You're The..b/w= "Paper Boy"1965The marvellous Marvelettes' 1965 Songs:* "I'll Keep Holding On"* "Danger Heartbreak, Dead Ahead"Line-up (now a trio): Gladys Horton, Wanda Rogers and Katherine Anderson Note: Also as of 1965, Wanda Young-Rogers is lead singer on all songs but one.1964The Marvelettes (l-2-r): Gladys, Katherine, Georgeanna and WandaThe Marvelettes go fishin' with 1964 Songs:* "He's A Good Guy (Yes He Is)"* "You're My Remedy"* "Too Many Fish In The Sea"19631963 songs forever by The Marvelettes:* "Locking Up My Heart" =b/w= "Forever"* "My Daddy Knows Best"* "As Long As I Know He's Mine"* "Too Hurt To Cry, Too Much In Love To Say Goodbye" [as The Darnells]Line-up (quartet): Gladys Horton, Wanda Young, Katherine Anderson and Georgeanna Tillman1962The Marvelettes' 1962 songs playing:* "Playboy"* "Beechwood 4-5789" =b/w= "Someday, Someway"* "Strange I Know"19611961 songs delivered on Tamla Records by The Marvelettes:* "Please Mr. Postman" {int'l ..1 song}* "Twistin' Postman"Line-up (quintet): Gladys Horton, Wanda Young, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman and Wyanetta Cowart
Record Label: Motown Records
Type of Label: Major