The Marvelettes
The Marvelettes were the first major group to sell 1 million records on the Motown label.. Their debut single for the Tamla (Motown) label, “Please Mr. Postman'', was released in 1961, it was also the first song by a Motown act to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart - later in that same year! “Please Mr. Postman” also became a number one hit on the R&B Charts. It was number one again, in 1975, when The Carpenters covered the song,it was once again on the Billboard Hot 100. “Please Mr. Postman” has been covered several times, including The Beatles. It can be heard even today, in other recordings and visual commercials across various media forms.
As a girl group, The Marvelettes initially achieved popularity in the early to mid ‘60’s. They were founded by Inkster (Michigan) High School schoolmates: Gladys Horton (deceased), Katherine Anderson (later Schaffner -deceased), Georgeanna Tillman (later Gordon-deceased), Juanita Cowart (now Motley), who left the group in 1963, and Georgia Dobbins-writer of “Please Mr. Postman” (later Davis -deceased), who was replaced by Wanda Young (later Rogers -deceased). Their hit ‘Don’t Mess with Bill”, along with “Please Mr. Postman” earned million-selling Gold singles from the RIAA. Other hits include: “Too Many Fish In The Sea”, My Baby Must Be A Magician”, The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game” and “Beechwood 45789”. Their catalog of hits is quite expansive.
The group has several honors including induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and have received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2005. On August 17, 2013, The Marvelettes were inducted into the 1st class of the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. In June 2017, the ceremonial aspect of this induction was repeated in Detroit, where Motown was founded.
After winning a court battle, Katherine “Kat” Anderson Schaffner , and Gladys Horton gained rights to The Marvelettes Trademark. Between 2016 and 2017, Kat recruited members; Delores Harris, also known as Lady Dee, Brenda Michelle Chatman, also known as Brenda Michelle and Jacqueline Gilliard-Fondren, also known as Jaki G, to perform alongside her, as The Marvelettes. After 50 years, she had returned to the stage! Including Katherine, they garnered over 180 years of experience in the field of music, both on stage and in recording.
The legacy of The Marvelous Marvelettes continues, on this front, today because of original member Katherine “Kat” Anderson Schaffner, and although “Kat” is no longer with us, the current members have continued to introduce to some and revive memories for others, the world over.
The Marvelettes will never be forgotten!