The Marvelettes
Probably the most pop-oriented of Motown's major female acts, the Marvelettes didn't project as strong an identity as the Supremes, Mary Wells, or Martha Reeves, but recorded quite a few hits, including Motown's first number one single, "Please Mr. Postman" (1961). "Postman," as well as other chirpy early-'60s hits like "Playboy," "Twistin' Postman," and "Beechwood 4-5789," were the label's purest girl group efforts. Featuring two strong lead singers, Gladys Horton and Wanda Young, the Marvelettes went through five different lineups, but maintained a high standard on their recordings. After a few years, they moved from girl group sounds to uptempo and midtempo numbers that were more characteristic of Motown's production line. They received no small help from Smokey Robinson, who produced and wrote many of their singles; Holland-Dozier-Holland, Berry Gordy, Mickey Stevenson, Marvin Gaye, and Ashford-Simpson also got involved with the songwriting and production at various points. After the mid-'60s Wanda Young assumed most of the lead vocal duties; Gladys Horton departed from the group in the late '60s. While the Marvelettes didn't cut as many monster smashes as most of their Motown peers after the early '60s, they did periodically surface with classic hits like "Too Many Fish in the Sea," "Don't Mess with Bill," and "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game." There were also plenty of fine minor hits and misses, like 1965's "I'll Keep Holding On," which is just as memorable as the well-known Motown chart-toppers of the era. The group quietly disbanded in the early '70s after several years without a major hit. Wanda Young died on December 16, 2021 at the age of 78. Co-founder Katherine Anderson died on September 20, 2023; she was 79.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
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Which Way Did He Go
Soul - Released by High Ball on 13 mrt. 2015
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Someday, Someway
Soul - Released by Chord Concept on 13 feb. 2015
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Good Luck Charm
Soul - Released by Black Marlin Records on 30 jan. 2015
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I Forgot About You
Soul - Released by Acoustic avantgarde on 5 dec. 2014
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Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Released by Acoustic avantgarde on 12 dec. 2014
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So Long Baby
Soul - Released by Aphrodites choice on 19 dec. 2014
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Smash Hits of 62'
Soul - Released by Lucky Planets on 1 jan. 2013
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R&B Legends, Vol. 5: The Marvelettes
Soul - Released by Supreme Media on 30 okt. 2013
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Goddesses of Love, Vol. 2
Soul - Released by Lumi Entertainment on 1 jan. 2013
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Please Mr Postman - The Early Hits
Soul - Released by AP MUSIC LTD on 1 jan. 2013
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Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Released by Academia Royal on 5 mei 2008
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Hooked
The Marvelettes, The Shirelles
Soul - Released by Beach View Records on 10 mei 2024
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Please Mr. Postman (Original 1961 Album - Digitally Remastered)
Soul - Released by Must Have Records on 5 mei 2008
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Soul Story USA (Remastered)
Soul - Released by Forrest Hill on 21 aug. 2014
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Because I Love Him
Soul - Released by Heaven And Earth Music on 10 okt. 2016
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The Marvelettes Sing
Soul - Released by Start Up Records on 1 jan. 1962
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Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Released by Milestones Records on 3 mei 2018
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