The Marvelettes
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The Marvelettes was one of the famous R&B Band in United States who rose to fame via their international hit album, Please Mr Postman.
Contents |
[edit] Former members
Gladys Horton
Georgia Dobbins
Georgeanna Tillman
Wyanetta Cowart
Katherine Anderson
Wanda Young
Anne Bogan
[edit] About
"Gladys Horton" and "Georgia Dobbins" formed a band called "Casinyets" in Inkster, Michigan. Their backing vocalist includes "Georgeanna Tillman", "Wyanetta Cowart" and "Katherine Anderson". In 1961, they changed their name to "The Marvels". They joined Inkster High School Talent Show, where they finished fourth place. After that, 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. Betty changed their name to, The Marvellettes.
In 1961, they released their debut album, Please Mr Postman in 1961 which also features their number 1 international hit single with the same title. The single chartered number 1 in the Pop Chart for 14 weeks. The album was also the biggest selling record of Motown Records in that year. Almost from the beginning, things started to unravel for the Marvelettes. Two of Motown’s girl groups (Martha and The Vandellas and The Supremes) labeled the Marvelettes as “country girls” and “country bumpkins”. It was evident the fangs of jealousy were being shown. Marvelettes member Wyanetta Coward (listed on Motown records as Juanita Cowart) suffered the most from the taunts. While performing on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, she said that Inkster was "a suburb of Detroit". Upon returning to Motown, she was teased excessively on this remark, which further depressed her. After recording “Playboy” (Nov. 21, 1961), she expressed her interest to leave the Marvelettes and Motown. Shortly after she left The Marvelettes (April 1962?), Juanita bought a candy store that was in her neighborhood of Inkster, Michigan with money she saved up ($ 1,500.00). Wyanetta Coward Motley still resides in Inkster.
Before releasing their next single, "Wanda Young" replaces Georgia.
In 1962, their second album, Playboy was released. It features the singles, "Playboy" which reached number 4 on the US R&B Charts and #7 on US Pop Chart, "Beechwood 4-5789" which peaked #7 on the R&B Chart. Their next album, The Marvelous Sing was also released that year. Their next single, "Too Many Fish in the Sea" was released in 1964 which chartered #15 on the R&B Chart.
The unraveling of The Marvelettes grew bigger 1965 when the other members of the group started to noticed how tired Georgeanna was becoming after each performance. She was advised to see a doctor for medical treatment. It was determined she had sickle cell AND lupus. As her health problems worsened, her doctor advised her to stop touring. She remained at Motown for a while as a secretary. The Marvelettes continued on as a trio. Georgeanna Marie Tillman Gordon died from complications of her illness in 1980 at the age of 36. She also has one child with Billy Gordon (of the Contours) whom she married on August 12, 1963.
Their last studio album before they separated was, The Return of The Marvelettes was released in 1970.
[edit] Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | US Billbord R&B Chart | US Pop Chart | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Please Mr Postman | 1 | 1 | Please Mr Postman |
| 1962 | Playboy | 4 | 7 | Playboy |
[edit] News
[edit] Tours & Concerts
There are no current tour and concert schedules for The Marvelettes.
[edit] Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
 1961 Motown |
 1962 Tamla |
 1962 Tamla |
 1963 Tamla |
 1967 Motown |
 1969 Tamla |
 1970 Motown |
[edit] Singles
[edit] Compilations & Live Releases
 1963 Motown |
 1966 Motown |
 1975 Motown |
 1975 Motown |
 1982 Motown |
 1993 Motown |
 1994 Motown |
 1996 Hot Productions |
 1998 Motown |
 1999 Hallmark |
 1999 Spectrum |
 August 15, 2000 Motown |
 2001 Spectrum |
