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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Discografía
125 álbum(es) • Ordenado por Mejores ventas
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The Definitive Collection
Soul - Editado por UNI - MOTOWN el 01-01-2008
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Editado por UNI - MOTOWN el 12-12-2022
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Editado por Firefly Entertainment el 12-12-2022
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Deliver: The Singles 1961-1971
Soul - Editado por UNI - MOTOWN el 01-01-1993
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
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The Marvelous Marvelettes (Original Album With Bonus Tracks)
Soul - Editado por Soul Story el 01-01-2013
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Forever: The Complete Motown Albums, Volume 1
Soul - Editado por Hip-O Select el 23-06-2009
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
The Marvelous Marvelettes
Soul - Editado por UNI - MOTOWN el 01-01-1963
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
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Sophisticated Soul
Soul - Editado por UNI - MOTOWN el 01-01-1968
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Forever More: The Complete Motown Albums Vol. 2
Soul - Editado por UNI - MOTOWN el 01-01-2011
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Please Mr. Postman (Remastered)
Soul - Editado por New World el 07-08-2020
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Editado por G Point Entertainment System el 05-05-2008
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
The Return Of The Marvelettes
Soul - Editado por UNI - MOTOWN el 01-01-1970
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Editado por Fidelity Masters el 05-05-2008
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
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Playboy (Classic Album - Gold Edition)
R&B - Editado por Soul City Blues el 31-07-1962
Disponible en16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo