Betty McGlown
Encyclopedia
Betty McGlown-Travis is an African American
singer, a member of The Primettes, later known as The Supremes
.
In 1959, McGlown started dating future Temptations
member Paul Williams
who was then singing with the Primes. Around the same time, the Primes' booking agent and manager Milton Jenkins was scouting the Detroit neighborhoods looking for girls to become part of the Primes' sister act. After discovering Florence Ballard
, Ballard set on recruiting other girls she knew, quickly asking Mary Wilson
, who asked Diana Ross
to join. Due to her connection with Williams, McGlown became the last to join the Primettes.
Along with their guitarist, Marv Tarplin
, the girls performed for Berry Gordy who, although impressed, told them they were too young for the business and encouraged them to finish school. On Lupine Records, McGlown sang backing vocals for Mary Wilson on "Pretty Baby" and backing vocals for Diana Ross on "Tears of Sorrow
". These became the only known recordings of McGlown, although her voice does not stand out by itself in either song (and some have disputed that her voice is not even on these songs).
While all four members sang lead on stage, it is only the other three members who ever had leads on studio recordings. McGlown eventually became Mrs. Betty Travis and left the Primettes in 1960 to concentrate on her new marriage. She was replaced by Barbara Martin
the same year.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
singer, a member of The Primettes, later known as The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
.
In 1959, McGlown started dating future Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
member Paul Williams
Paul Williams (The Temptations)
Paul Williams was an American baritone singer and choreographer. Williams is noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group The Temptations...
who was then singing with the Primes. Around the same time, the Primes' booking agent and manager Milton Jenkins was scouting the Detroit neighborhoods looking for girls to become part of the Primes' sister act. After discovering Florence Ballard
Florence Ballard
Florence Glenda Ballard Chapman was an American singer and a founding member of the Motown group The Supremes. From 1963 until 1967, Ballard sang on 16 Top 40 hit Supremes' singles, ten of which hit number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1967, Motown CEO Berry Gordy decided to remove Ballard from...
, Ballard set on recruiting other girls she knew, quickly asking Mary Wilson
Mary Wilson (singer)
Mary Wilson is an American singer, formerlymember of the Motown female singing group The Supremes during the 1960s and 1970s. Wilson was the only singer to be a consistent member of the group in its eighteen-year tenure...
, who asked Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
to join. Due to her connection with Williams, McGlown became the last to join the Primettes.
Along with their guitarist, Marv Tarplin
Marv Tarplin
Marvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
, the girls performed for Berry Gordy who, although impressed, told them they were too young for the business and encouraged them to finish school. On Lupine Records, McGlown sang backing vocals for Mary Wilson on "Pretty Baby" and backing vocals for Diana Ross on "Tears of Sorrow
Tears of Sorrow
"Tears of Sorrow" is the very first single by The Primettes, later known as The Supremes, released in 1960. This single was their first single from Lu Pine Records, and their last. "Tears of Sorrow," along with "Pretty Baby", are the only known recordings that feature the vocals of Betty McGlown....
". These became the only known recordings of McGlown, although her voice does not stand out by itself in either song (and some have disputed that her voice is not even on these songs).
While all four members sang lead on stage, it is only the other three members who ever had leads on studio recordings. McGlown eventually became Mrs. Betty Travis and left the Primettes in 1960 to concentrate on her new marriage. She was replaced by Barbara Martin
Barbara Martin
Barbara Diane Martin in Detroit, Michigan is an African-American singer; better known for being one of the original founding members of Motown singing group The Supremes. After The Primettes dropped Betty McGlown from their lineup due to McGlown's upcoming nuptials, Martin replaced her in the...
the same year.