The Marvelettes:
When the Beatles took up the song "Please Mr. Postman" and published in 1963, this was a tribute to the Motown group The Marvelettes, the order already in 1961 was successful (No.1 R & B Billboard charts and No.1 pop Billboard charts) ,
The Beatles album "With The Beatles" (1963) were, in addition to "Please Mr. Postman" by the Marvelettes, additional cover versions of original Motown hits ("You Really Got A Hold On Me", SMOKEY ROBINSON & The Miracles and "Money", Barrett Strong).
The Marvelettes were 1961 first female Motown group that was able to land a No.1 hit on the Billboard Pop Carts (MARTHA REEVES & The Vandellas and The Supremes followed the Marvelettes until much later at the top of the charts).
In Inkster, Michigan (USA), the school friends Gladys Horton, Georgia Dobbins, Anna George Tillman, Waynetta Coward and Katherine Anderson had in 1960 founded a singing group and has the 4th place at the local talent competition of Inkster High School. MOTOWN invited to audition and the new group member Wanda Young (after marrying Miracles Members Bobby Rogers = Wanda Rogers), to replace the retired Georgia Dobbins, was the group that had meanwhile renamed by The Marvels in The Marvelettes, a recording contract.
The brought out by Motown song "Please Mr. Postman" kept fabled 14 weeks at No. 1 on the US pop charts (a record until then) and of which around 2 million singles were sold. An album of the same title followed. The Marvelettes had, overnight, gained stardom, appeared in various TV and live shows and ..., the great success of leaving traces. Waynetta Coward could not stand the stress of performances, recordings, interviews, etc. longer and left the group, which then shrank to a quartet ...
At that time, Gladys Horton had established as the lead singer of the group. Fans and producers heard but increasingly interested in the "second lead vocal" group, Wanda Young (Rogers). Wanda had one of those small but distinctive voices (Diana Ross), the later hits, such as "When You Are Young And In Love" was the unmistakable touch.
Gradually favorite producers such as Smokey Robinson (and the fans), the more memorable voice of Wanda Young (Rogers) and they joined by more and more into the foreground of the group. As a group member George Anna Tillmann 1965 seriously ill and left the group, remained the remaining members until the end of the existence of the Marvelettes, as a trio together. Apparently this was the "ideal person", because the success of the Marvelettes still increased.
As the composers / producers-team Holland-Dozier-Holland had the Marvelettes the song "Where Did Our Love Go" offer, they refused him as too childish and "not in accordance with their status" from. Then heard the Marvelettes that HDH the song, "like sour beer", then substitute the (no-hit) SUPREMES offered and she hastened to explain the Supremes that the "need to grow up and their songs with more care should choose ". Result: The SUPREMES did not want to sing "Where Did Our Love Go" also. A disaster for Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland! Its reputation was at stake.
Finally, "to let the SUPREMES still down" to sing the title and he was her international breakthrough because "Where Did Our Love Go" went to # 1 on the US charts. From now on, the SUPREMES were in the fast lane, landed a total of unbelievable 12 No.1 hits and became the most successful female singing group of all time ...
The Marvelettes but also remained successful, had still a worldwide fan base and published in a large number MOTOWN singles and albums, which sold well.
Music of the 3-CD sets
The complete musical early stages of Marvelettes is included here and documented in impressive way the great skill of this vocal group, the Supremes behind, Vandellas, Velvelettes truly did not need to hide.
Sound quality
Outstanding!
Just about this sounded early recordings of the Marvelettes never before.
Purchase recommendation
For fans and indispensable in a little search also an affordable copy will probably find.
My other recommendation
Volume 2 (= 'The Marvelettes Forevermore'), 4-CD Box in also excellent presentation and sound quality,
is linked in the comments section below this text ...
