The Velvelettes
Encyclopedia
The Velvelettes was an American
singing girl group
, signed to Motown in the 1960s.
. Mildred recruited her younger sister Carolyn (also known as Cal or Caldin), who was in 9th grade, and Cal's friend Betty Kelly
, a junior in high school. Bertha recruited her cousin Norma Barbee, a freshman at Flint Junior College. Cal was chosen as the group's lead singer.
A classmate at Western Michigan University, Robert Bullock, was Berry Gordy
's nephew, and he encouraged the group to audition for Motown Records. The group signed to Motown in late 1962 and started recording
in January 1963. They recorded at the Hitsville USA studio
and "There He Goes" and "That's The Reason Why" produced
by William Stevenson was released as a single
via the IPG label (Independent Producers Group). The recordings included a young Stevie Wonder
playing harmonica
. While the group awaited their chance at stardom, they recorded for many producers, some of which were re-recorded by other artists including fellow labelmates the Vandellas and the Supremes
. The Velvelettes were not used to provide backing vocals since Motown already had its in-house backing group, the Andantes.
The Velvelettes got their break chartwise in the spring of 1964 thanks to young producer Norman Whitfield
, who produced "Needle In A Haystack" as a single for the group, on Motown's VIP Records imprint. "Needle In A Haystack" peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100
in mid 1964. The group recorded its follow-up, "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'
", with Whitfield again producing, and spent time on various Motown-sponsored tours as a support act. In September 1964, after recording "Dancing In The Street" earlier in June, Betty Kelly officially left the group to join Martha and the Vandellas
, and the quintet became a quartet.
(who was introduced by her friend Abdul Fakir of The Four Tops), and Annette Rogers-McMillan.
With a song on the charts
and a place on several concert tours, an album project was started using songs already recorded. However, with the growing success of another Motown group, the Supremes, Motown's attention was diverted and the project was left unfinished.
Motown released two additional singles, "Lonely Lonely Girl Am I" and "A Bird In The Hand" on their VIP imprint. Both singles did not reach the same chart levels as their predecessors. The Velvelettes continued to record new material until September 1967, with the Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson song "Bring Back The Sunshine", which was retitled "Dark Side Of The World" when Diana Ross
later released a version of the song. The final Velvelettes single release was "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You", which dented the 1966 R&B charts.
Carolyn Gill began dating Richard Street
, lead singer of The Monitors
, who would later join The Temptations
. Sandra Tilley joined Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, replacing Rosalind Ashford
. Carolyn married Street in November 1969 and he dissuaded her from continuing with the Velvelettes, preferring that his wife care for the home. So Gill decided to break up the group and it disbanded.
In 1971, "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" became a hit in the United Kingdom
, peaking at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart
. Despite the new success, the group did not reunite until 1984, following a rare concert appearance by the cousins and the sisters at the request of Bertha. Together the Gill sisters and Barbee cousins then went on to re-record their original hits and some new songs for the album One Door Closes for Motorcity Records
. The group continues to tour today.
Three decades after the group left Motown, the company released a CD, The Very Best of the Velvelettes, featuring 15 tracks, including four previously unreleased selections. A 19-track CD The Velvelettes: The Best Of was released in the UK in 2001. The 2005 The Velvelettes: The Motown Anthology is a double album
with 48 tracks.
In 2006, the Velvelettes contributed to the double CD Masters of Funk, Soul and Blues Present a Soulful Tale of Two Cities. Lamont Dozier
, Freda Payne
, George Clinton
and Bobby Taylor
recorded remakes of songs from Philadelphia International Records
. The Velvelettes sang "One Of a Kind Love Affair", originally recorded by the Spinners. The other CD featured Jean Carne
, Bunny Sigler
and Jimmy Ellis
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singing girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
, signed to Motown in the 1960s.
Early years and establishment
The group was founded in 1961 by Bertha Barbee McNeal and Mildred Gill Arbor, students at Western Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
. Mildred recruited her younger sister Carolyn (also known as Cal or Caldin), who was in 9th grade, and Cal's friend Betty Kelly
Betty Kelly
Betty Kelly is a former American singer, most famous for her tenure in the popular Motown singing group Martha and the Vandellas.-Early years:...
, a junior in high school. Bertha recruited her cousin Norma Barbee, a freshman at Flint Junior College. Cal was chosen as the group's lead singer.
A classmate at Western Michigan University, Robert Bullock, was Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
's nephew, and he encouraged the group to audition for Motown Records. The group signed to Motown in late 1962 and started recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
in January 1963. They recorded at the Hitsville USA studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
and "There He Goes" and "That's The Reason Why" produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by William Stevenson was released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
via the IPG label (Independent Producers Group). The recordings included a young Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
playing harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
. While the group awaited their chance at stardom, they recorded for many producers, some of which were re-recorded by other artists including fellow labelmates the Vandellas and 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...
. The Velvelettes were not used to provide backing vocals since Motown already had its in-house backing group, the Andantes.
The Velvelettes got their break chartwise in the spring of 1964 thanks to young producer Norman Whitfield
Norman Whitfield
Norman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
, who produced "Needle In A Haystack" as a single for the group, on Motown's VIP Records imprint. "Needle In A Haystack" peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in mid 1964. The group recorded its follow-up, "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'
He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'
"He Was Really Sayin' Somethin is a soul song written by Motown Records songwriters Norman Whitfield, William "Mickey" Stevenson, and Edward Holland, Jr. in 1964...
", with Whitfield again producing, and spent time on various Motown-sponsored tours as a support act. In September 1964, after recording "Dancing In The Street" earlier in June, Betty Kelly officially left the group to join Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas were among the most successful groups of the Motown roster during the period 1963–1967...
, and the quintet became a quartet.
Later years and dissolution
The Velvelettes continued performing, with various members leaving and rejoining, as family matters dictated. By 1967, Millie, Norma and Bertha had decided to devote all of their time to raising their families. Cal recruited two new members for concert performances: former Vandella Sandra TilleySandra Tilley
Sandra Tilley was an American R&B and soul singer, known for being a member of Motown girl groups the Velvelettes and Martha and the Vandellas. She was also a brief member in the soul group the Orlons. She was a native of Cleveland, Ohio...
(who was introduced by her friend Abdul Fakir of The Four Tops), and Annette Rogers-McMillan.
With a song on the charts
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
and a place on several concert tours, an album project was started using songs already recorded. However, with the growing success of another Motown group, the Supremes, Motown's attention was diverted and the project was left unfinished.
Motown released two additional singles, "Lonely Lonely Girl Am I" and "A Bird In The Hand" on their VIP imprint. Both singles did not reach the same chart levels as their predecessors. The Velvelettes continued to record new material until September 1967, with the Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson song "Bring Back The Sunshine", which was retitled "Dark Side Of The World" when 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...
later released a version of the song. The final Velvelettes single release was "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You", which dented the 1966 R&B charts.
Carolyn Gill began dating Richard Street
Richard Street
Richard Allen Street is an American soul and R&B singer, most notable as a member of The Temptations from 1971 to 1993...
, lead singer of The Monitors
The Monitors
The Monitors can refer to:* The Monitors , fictional characters created by DC Comics* The Monitors , a Motown act from the 1960s* The Monitors , an Australian band from the early 1980s...
, who would later join The 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,...
. Sandra Tilley joined Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, replacing Rosalind Ashford
Rosalind Ashford
Rosalind "Roz" Ashford-Holmes is an American soprano R&B and soul singer, famed for her work as member of the popular Motown singing group Martha and the Vandellas.-Early years:...
. Carolyn married Street in November 1969 and he dissuaded her from continuing with the Velvelettes, preferring that his wife care for the home. So Gill decided to break up the group and it disbanded.
In 1971, "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" became a hit in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, peaking at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Despite the new success, the group did not reunite until 1984, following a rare concert appearance by the cousins and the sisters at the request of Bertha. Together the Gill sisters and Barbee cousins then went on to re-record their original hits and some new songs for the album One Door Closes for Motorcity Records
Motorcity Records
Motorcity Records is a British record label formed by producer Ian Levine in 1989. The label aimed to record new material with former Motown artists.-History:...
. The group continues to tour today.
Three decades after the group left Motown, the company released a CD, The Very Best of the Velvelettes, featuring 15 tracks, including four previously unreleased selections. A 19-track CD The Velvelettes: The Best Of was released in the UK in 2001. The 2005 The Velvelettes: The Motown Anthology is a double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
with 48 tracks.
In 2006, the Velvelettes contributed to the double CD Masters of Funk, Soul and Blues Present a Soulful Tale of Two Cities. Lamont Dozier
Lamont Dozier
Lamont Herbert Dozier is an American songwriter and record producer, born in Detroit, Michigan. Dozier has either co-written or produced several US Billboard #1 hits.-Career:...
, Freda Payne
Freda Payne
Freda Charcilia Payne Some sources give a birth year of 1945, but this appears to be an error as all sources agree that she is older than her sister Scherrie, born 1944. is an American singer and actress best known for her million selling, 1970 hit single, "Band of Gold". She was also an actress in...
, George Clinton
George Clinton (funk musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
and Bobby Taylor
Bobby Taylor
Bobby Taylor is the name of:*Bobby Taylor , Canadian football player*Bobby Taylor , American football player*Bobby Taylor , Canadian ice hockey player and broadcaster...
recorded remakes of songs from Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records
Philadelphia International Records is a record label founded by writer-producers, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971. It was famous for showcasing the sub-genre of Philadelphia soul music and released a string of worldwide hits during the decade.-History:...
. The Velvelettes sang "One Of a Kind Love Affair", originally recorded by the Spinners. The other CD featured Jean Carne
Jean Carne
Jean Carn is an American jazz and pop singer known for her unique vocalising and her impressive interpretative and improvisational skills...
, Bunny Sigler
Bunny Sigler
Walter "Bunny" Sigler is a pop and R&B songwriter and record producer who has done extensive work with the team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and who was instrumental in creating the "Philly Sound" in the early 1970s. He is nicknamed "Mr...
and Jimmy Ellis
Jimmy Ellis
James Albert "Jimmy" Ellis is a retired boxer from Louisville, Kentucky. He fought in what some consider to be the greatest heavyweight era of all-time, which included Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Jerry Quarry, Floyd Patterson, Oscar Bonavena, Earnie Shavers and George Chuvalo among...
.
Albums
- 1966: The Velvelettes (not completed)
- 1984: One Door Closes
- 1996: Best of the Velvelettes
- 1999: The Very Best of the Velvelettes
- 2001: The Velvelettes: The Best Of
- 2004: Motown Anthology
Singles
- 1963: "There He Goes"
- 1964: "Needle in a Haystack" (US #45)
- 1965: "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'"He Was Really Sayin' Somethin is a soul song written by Motown Records songwriters Norman Whitfield, William "Mickey" Stevenson, and Edward Holland, Jr. in 1964...
" (R&B #21, US #64) - 1965: "Lonely Lonely Girl Am I"
- 1965: "A Bird in the Hand (Is Worth Two in the Bush)"
- 1966: "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" (R&B #43, UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#34 ) - 1967: "Bring Back the Sunshine"