The Marvelettes Biography

The Marvelettes career epitomized the haphazard progress endured by many of the leading girl-groups of the early 60s. Despite enjoying several major US hits, they were unable to sustain a consistent line-up, and their constant shifts in personnel made it difficult to overcome their rather anonymous public image. The group was formed in the late 50s by five students at Inkster High School in Michigan, USA: Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Marie Tillman (d. 6 January 1980), Wanda Young, Katherine Anderson and Juanita Grant. They were spotted at a school talent show by Robert Bateman of the Satintones, who introduced them to Berry Gordy, head of the fledgling Motown Records organization. Bateman co-produced their early releases with Brian Holland, and the partnership found immediate success with Please MrPostman - a US number 1 in 1961, and Motowns biggest-selling record up to that point. This effervescent slice of pop-R&B captivated teenage audiences in the USA, and the song was introduced to an even wider public when the Beatles recorded a faithful cover version on their second album.

After a blatant attempt to repeat the winning formula with Twistin Postman, the Marvelettes made the US Top 20 again in 1962 with Playboy and the chirpy Beechwood 4-5789. The cycle of line-up changes was already underway, with Juanita Grants departure reducing the group to a four-piece. The comparative failure of the next few singles also took its toll, and by 1965, Tillman had also left. The remaining trio, occasionally augmented by Florence Ballard of the Supremes, was paired with