Songs of The Stonewall (#8) by The Marvelettes of Motown * Gladys Horton * Wanda Young Rogers

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"Songs of The Stonewall" ^©

Motown / Stonewall Legends:
The Marvelettes

The Marvelettes were the original "dreamgirls" of Motown Records in 1961. Like all of Motown's girl groups, they were based in Michigan -- near Detroit. The young girls dreamed for singing success and, of course, the entertainment industry. The quintet Marvelettes had the first #1 girl group song for Motown. With Gladys Horton on powerful lead, their energetic and fun "Please Mr. Postman" was a history-making number one popular "pop" song and a number one rhythm 'n' blues "R&B" song. This happened yesteryear in 1961. The song "Postman" put Motown Records on the international map. The marvelous Marvelettes were Motown's only girl group whose very first-released song went to #1. In fact, Motown only had one other group in its history to boast that achievement: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5! In 1962, the then quartet Marvelettes had the 'Top 10' appealing song "Playboy (Get Away From My Door)". By 1965, the girls were effectively advising other girls -- and Gay boys -- to listen to them and don't be bothered by a naughty lover because there were "Too Many Fish In The Sea". Mid-decade in the 1960s, The Marvelettes had a renaissance as a trio, a new image, a new lead singer from within the group and a return to hit songs. Sophisticated souler Wanda Young-Rogers took over all the leads starting with their 1966 #1 song "Don't Mess With Bill", penned by their Motown stablemate and widely-acclaimed songwriter Smokey Robinson. In 1967, The Marvelettes likewise had an enduring hit with the Smokey-penned "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game". For their 1970's album, "The Return of The Marvelettes" (they were only gone about a half-year), the girls did not return on the album cover in hip outfits or skin-exposed but with cowgirl hats, gaucho pants, black riding boots and rough-riding on real tough horses!!! In 1980, The Marvelettes regrouped, yet including both prior lead singers Gladys and Wanda, and, like many former Motown artists, recorded awhile for Motor City Records.

Updating to new times, as recently as 2006, The Marvelettes performed with restored original lead singer Gladys Horton on national television with the acclaimed Public Broadcasting System (PBS) television special "The Early Years of Motown". The three girls performed the legendary "Mr. Postman"! In 2007, Motown Records -- God bless them -- is still issuing previously unreleased records such as "Little Girls Grow Up" and "Love Is Good" by the marvellous Marvelettes!!!

O=====O Spotlight on a Marvelettes' Song O=====O

"Playboy"

          www.U-tube.com/watch/Marvelettes/Playboy

             =favorite line=
          "This is one fish you'll never ever hook!"

2007

Various Artists/The Marvelettes: Cellarful of Motown, Volume 3

[Photo of "Cellarful of Motown" c/d cover]

This newest, incredible collection from Motown's cellarful series consists of two compact discs (c/d's) of 45 never-released songs or new versions by other Motown artists includes three musical gems by The Marvelettes. The girls' two new entries are "Little Girls Grow Up" -- it could have been a stunning single in 1965 with its perfect arrangement and perfect vocal -- and "Love Is Good". This collection also contains another alternate version of the ultimate non-released single by The Marvelettes namely "The Boy From Crosstown"! Q: When U hear "Xtown", how do U spell "Mar-vel-ettes"?

For a full listing of the cellarful of Motown songs, seeing is believing:
www.SoulMusicStore.com/MotownCellarful3/Marvelettes.htm
.
For a review, including a Marvelettes song, of Volume 3 of the Cellarful of Motown:
www.SixtiesMotown.uk/Cellarful-3/Motown/45tracks.htm

2005

Various Artists/The Marvelettes: Motown Treasures

["Motown Treasures" 2-compact disc cover photo is coming!]

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).

2004

Marvelettes Book: "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 Tillman

At 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.

2004-B

The Marvelettes were respectfully and deservedly inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In person to accept the grateful award were Gladys Horton, Wanda Rogers and Katherine Anderson.

1999

The Marvelettes: The Millennium Collection

Pictured (circa 1964) above (l-2-r): Wanda Young, Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Tillman and Katherine Anderson

1990

1990'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 Holleman

1989

Re-grouped Marvelettes song (on Motor City Records) in 1989:

* "Holding On With Both Hands"

Line-up: Gladys Horton, Wanda Rogers, Echo Johnson and Jean McLain

1988

The Marvelettes: The Ultimate Collection

Pictured above (circa 1964): Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Tillman, Wanda Young and Katherine Anderson

This album contains all of The Marvelettes songs that were at The Stonewall Club. These gems include "Don't Mess With Bill", "Paper Boy" (a "B" side), "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game", "When You're Young And In Love", "My Baby Must Be A Magician", "Here I Am Baby" and "Destination Anywhere".

Pictured above (l-2-r): Georgeanna, Katherine, Wanda and Gladys

1971

Final 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 Girls

1970

The Marvelettes: The Return of The Marvelettes

["The Return" showing 3 girls on 3 horses
photo album cover to be placed here.]

Post-Stonewall 1970 Marvelettes sad songs:

* "That's How Heartaches Are Made"

* "Marionette"

Line-up: Miraculous Marvelette Wanda Young-Rogers and The Andantes

1969

The Marvelettes: In Full Bloom

[Album cover "In Full Bloom" will be placed here.]

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 jukebox song at Stonewall 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]

Marvelettes Line-up: Wanda Rogers, Ann Bogan and Katherine Anderson

1968

The Marvelettes: Sophisticated Soul

["Sophisticated Soul" album cover to be placed here.]

Boating 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"

1967

The Marvelettes: The Marvelettes

[Album cover of "The Marvelettes" to be placed here.]

Marvelettes in Holland: Gladys Horton, "Kat" Anderson and Wanda Rogers

1967 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"

Marvelettes Line-up: Wanda Rogers, Gladys Horton and Katherine Anderson

1966

The Marvelettes: Greatest Hits

[Photo of Marvelettes' Greatest Hits album cover to be placed here.]

Stonewall 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 One" =b/w= "Paper Boy"

1965

The rollicking 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.

1964

The Marvelettes: The Marvelous Marvelettes

The Marvelettes (l-2-r): Gladys, Katherine, Georgeanna and Wanda

The Marvelettes go fishin' with their 1964 songs:

* "He's A Good Guy (Yes He Is)"

* "You're My Remedy"

* "Too Many Fish In The Sea"

1963

1963 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 Tillman

1962

The Marvelettes' 1962 songs playing:

* "Playboy"

* "Beechwood 4-5789" =b/w= "Someday, Someway"

* "Strange I Know" =b/w= "Too Strong To Be Strung Along"

1961

1961 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

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sponsored by the STONEWALL Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.")

Compilation created by: Bill & Marionette Postman
Special info provided by: Bobby "Playboy" Hunter

Like a good restaurant, all rights are "reserved",
except specific quotes -- of which there are none!
Permission granted only with the express credit fully and clearly given to:

STONEWALL Veterans' Association

-- in contract arrangement with the "Songs of The Stonewall" author,
Williamson Henderson, S.V.A. Executive Director.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"This is one fish you'll never ever hook!"
-- Marvelette Gladys Horton to the Playboy

"East or West... I don't care!"
-- Wanda Young to the Train Conductor

5th August 2008

Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

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