The Velvelettes

The Velvelettes

The Velvelettes were an American singing girl group, signed to Motown Records in the 1960s.

History

Early years and establishment

The group was founded in 1961 by sisters Carolyn and Millie Gill with cousins Bertha Barbee-McNeal and Norma Barbee (both from Flint, Michigan) on the Western Michigan University campus, where they were students. Carolyn's friend Betty Kelly was also an original member. They got their start playing fraternity and sorority parties as well as small clubs, before signing to IPG Records, a local imprint where they recorded their first single, "There He Goes." While the song only received local radio attention, it helped the group catch the ear of a Motown talent scout.

The group signed to Motown Records immediately, but weren't given top priority, as other female vocal groups were attracting audiences and recording hits. While the group awaited their chance at stardom, they recorded backing vocals for more established Motown girl groups, including The Marvelettes, Martha & The Vandellas, and The Supremes.

The Velvelettes got their break in 1964 thanks to young producer Norman Whitfield, who produced "Needle In A Haystack" as a single for the group, on Motown's VIP subsidiary. "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 an opening act.

Later years and dissolusion

With a song on the charts and a place on several concert tours, The Velvelettes began recording an album. Despite burgeoning success, the members of the group began to disagree about the music they were recording. Half wanted to record more mature songs and thought the material was trite, while the other half didn't want to rock the boat so early in their career.

Motown became apprehensive about the group's potential, and wary of the expense of the recordings. Not wanting to let good time and money go to waste, the label released two additional singles, "Lonely Lonely Girl Am I" and "A Bird In The Hand," as the group endured several line-up changes. Both singles flopped, and Motown cancelled the scheduled release of the group's eponymous debut album.

The Velvelettes returned to recording backing vocals, and occasionally were able to record new material for themelves. The last Velvelettes recordings included "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You," which became their last American single. It dented the R&B charts, and the group gradually split apart. Betty Kelley, an original Velvelette and Sandra Tilley, a newer member of the group, transferred to Martha & The Vandellas, replacing older members of that group. Lead singer Carolyn "Cal" Gill married future Temptation Richard Street in November 1969 and The Velvelettes officially broke up in early to mid 1970.

In 1971, "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" became a hit in Great Britain, peaking at number 34 on the British singles chart. Despite the new success, the group didn't reunite until 1984, when the Gill sisters and Barbee cousins re-recorded their original hits with some new songs for the album One Door Closes. The group continues to tour today.

Discography

Albums

• 1966: The Velvelettes (not completed)
• 1984: One Door Closes
• 1996: Best of the Velvelettes
• 1999: The Very Best of the Velvelettes
• 2004: Motown Anthology

Singles

• 1963: "There He Goes"
• 1964: "Needle in a Haystack" (US #45)
• 1965: "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'" (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, UK #34)

External links

• The Velvelettes official website
• Girl Group Chronicles: The Velvelettes
• The Velvelettes Photo Gallery

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