"Songs of The Stonewall" ©
Motown /
Stonewall Legends:
The Marvelettes
Songs of The
Stonewall | Stonewall
Various Artists | Diana
Ross & The Supremes
Martha
Reeves & The Vandellas | The
Marvelettes of Motown | Post-Stonewall
Songs | Diana Ross
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". That song also became a Motown classic. 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 R&B song "Don't Mess With Bill", penned by their Motown stablemate and widely-acclaimed songwriter Smokey Robinson. In 1967, The Marvelettes had an enduring hit with the Smokey-penned "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game". The year 1968 has the cleverly-worded and uniquely effected "My Baby Must Be A Magician". The Marvelettes in a 1969 holdover had the Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson-written and much underappreciated -- except at Black bars and Gay clubs -- "Destination Anywhere". When the train conductore asks Wanda "Which way are you going miss?", she broken-heartedly replies: 'destination anywhere'! For their 1970's album, "The Return of The Marvelettes" (they were only gone about a half-year), Wanda and two gals 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-looking horses!!! In 1980, The Marvelettes regrouped, yet including both prior lead singers Gladys Horton and Wanda Rogers, 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!!!
2009
The Marvelettes: Forever - Complete Motown Albums Collection, Vol. 1
At last -- and 4ever! Motown Records via Universal Music and the U.S. Postal System has finally de-livered de albums and de singles and de 'live' recordings and de
rarities from The Marvelettes! This boxed ensemble "The
Marvelettes: Forever - Complete Motown Albums, Volume 1 (1961
- 1966) is a full-postal record project including
The Marvelettes' first six record albums!!!!!! They include
the albums "Please Mr. Postman", "Smash Hits of 1962", "Playboy",
"The Marvellous Marvelettes", "The Marvelettes - Live!" and "The
Marvelettes Greatest Hits" (one dozen hits in stereo). The
truly complete collection (1961 to early 1966) includes all
of The Marvelettes' singles during this period, many of which were
not on any of their Motown studio albums. Gladys Horton is
the primary lead singer during this period. The Marvelettes songs
at the famous Stonewall Club in New York City started with the included
Wanda Young-led "Don't Mess With Bill". The Gay community of age
remains forever faithful to The Marvelettes and appreciating their
wonderful dancing and soulfully satisfying music to the end of their recording careers at
Motown Records (1972) and Motor City Records (1990). Since music
is the gift that keeps on giving, forever is the music of The
Marvelettes.
For more 411 and details including the complete 3-C/D track listing, see:
http://www.SoulMusicStore.com/Marvelettes/Postman/Playboy/Smash/Forever/Live/Greatest.html
O====O Stonewall Spotlight on Marvelettes Song O====O
commemorating the 40th anniversary of....
"My Baby Must Be A Magician"www.U-tube.com/watch/Marvelettes.Magician
.....link includes a marvellous collection of animations of Marvelettes album covers and photos!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Marvelettes: The Definitive Collection
Photo: Anne, Wanda and Katherine in green baby doll dresses
Gladys, Wanda and Katherine go green in green gowms
2007
Various Artists/The Marvelettes: Cellarful of Motown, Volume 3
[Actual "Cellarful of Motown" c/d cover to be placed here!]
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"?
2006
O====O Stonewall Spotlight on Marvelettes Song O====O
commemorating the 40th anniversary of....
"Don't Mess With Bill"
written by Smokey Robinson
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. |
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 1964: 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 (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".
1971
Final Marvelettes on Motown single in
1971:
* "A Breath-Taking Guy" {remake of Supremes song} =b/w= "You're The One For Me, Bobby"
Line-up: Marvelette Wanda Young (lead) and The Andantes
1970
The Marvelettes: The Return of The Marvelettes
*
["The Return of The Wanda-ettes" showing 3 girls on 3 horses
-- great (the best) photo album cover to be placed here in late 2009.]
Post-Stonewall 1970 Marvelettes sad songs:
* "That's How Heartaches Are Made" {remake of Baby Washington song}
* "Marionette"
Line-up: Miraculous Marvelette Wanda Young-Rogers and Two Mystery Girls
1969
The Marvelettes: In Full Bloom
*
[Album cover "In Full Bloom" from 1969 will be placed here.]
Pictured above (l-2-r): Wanda Rogers (soultry 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}
* "I'm Gonna Hold On Long As I Can" [lead:
Anne
Bogan]
1968
The Marvelettes: Sophisticated Soul
Songs at the 1968 Stonewall by
the sophisticated Marvelettes:
* "Here I Am Baby"
* "Reachin' For Something I Can't Have"
* "What's Easy For Two Is So Hard For One" {remake of Mary Wells song}
This Marvelettes album had a plentiful 6 singles: all hits at The Stonewall!
A-1 out-take photo from "Sophisticated Soul" session
{Clearly, Motown chose the wrong pic for album cover!}
1966
Stonewall boy songs in 1966 by The
Marvelettes:
* "Don't Mess With Bill" {#1 R&B}
* "You're The One" =b/w= "Paper Boy"
1965
1964
The Marvelettes: The Marvelettes On-Stage
*
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
The Marvelettes: The Marvellous Marvelettes
1962
The Marvelettes: Playboy
*
[Reverse side of the Marvelettes "Playboy" record album places here!]
The Marvelettes' 1962 songs playing:
* "Playboy" {#1 R&B}
* "Beechwood 4-5789" {#1 R&B} =b/w= "Someday,
Someway"
* "Strange I Know" =b/w= "Too Strong To Be Strung Along"
1961
The Marvelettes: Please Mr. Postman
A Personal Letter from The Marvelettes to You!
"Deliver de Letter, de Sooner de Better"
1961 songs delivered on Tamla Records by The Marvelettes:
* "Please Mr. Postman" {int'l #1 song}
Musical Milestone Note: The Marvelettes' "Mr. Postman" was Motown's first #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
Design by: Baby Magician
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. Director
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"This is one fish you'll never ever hook!"
-- Marvelette Gladys Horton to the Playboy
"East or West... I don't care!"
-- Marvelette Wanda Young to the Train Conductor
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
=Letters to The Postman=
"The S.V.A. website for The Marvelettes is 'Wanda-ful'!"
-- dedicated Marvelettes fan Roger Foster from jolly old England
Tribute to The Marvelettes by the S.V.A. is "Marvel-ous"!
-- another lovely London fan Rob Thomas and pal of above fan!
Motown ridiculously did The Marvelettes wrong with no albums in 1965!
-- "The boy from Crosstown" in Midtown Manhattan, Leigh McManus
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Contact the S.V.A. at: SVA@STONEWALLvets.org
25 December
2009
Motown should've had The Marvelettes record a Christmas album!
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
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