The Marvelettes occupy an esteemed place in the history of American popular music as the group that caused Motown, and most notable Berry Gordy to change the label's focus from single bluesy soul artists (previously Barret Strong's "Money" had been the label's biggest seller) to a smooth harmonic sound that transcended the prior racial limits of rhythm and blues. With their first record, "Please Mr. Postman" hitting the top spot on the charts and selling 3 million records in a crossover market Motown was to concentrate on the Marvelettes, Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, and Martha and the Vandellas and create a new group pop soul sound that totally dominated the music charts until the advent of the Beatles four years later.

During their reign at the top of the charts the girls were to turn out over a dozen hits, eight of which went Top Ten. Although the group at times had more than three members, the originators were Wanda Rogers, Gladys Horton, and Katherine Shaffner. In the early years of the group, family ties forced all three to leave the act at various times (although Wanda and Gladys continued to make frequent "guest appearances") but carefully chosen and highly talented replacements kept the act at the top of the charts even with changed personnel. Once again this is a patented mark of Motown's success story the ability to change personnel in acts like the Supremes, Temptations and the Marvelettes and still keep the act at the top of the charts and in demand for personal appearances.

In fact, it is in person where the current lineup really excels. Offering an act that features their big hits, interspersed with their versions of some great standards, the girls are still, in the smooth Motown vein, a highly choreographed, polished, very good looking and humorous nightclub act as well as a major draw.

The Marvelettes are the sixth most successful all female recording act. They are one of only 21 acts in the last 25 years whose first record sold over 1 million and went number 1, of which only 2 of those acts were female ensembles. Only Captain and Tennille sold more records on their first outing. In England "Please, Mr. Postman" is the only record in the last 25 years to reach number one for three different groups (also, the Beatles and the Carpenters). Total album and singles sales for the girls exceed 25 million grossing Motown nearly 50 million dollars. The girls have made approximately 150 personal appearances each year for the past 10 yrs. at the top nightclubs, hotels discos and concert halls, playing in over 40 states in the US and all over Europe, Central America & Canada.

Honor Roll of Hits Top 10
Please, Mr. Postman *
Beechwood 4-5789 *
Playboy *
Don't Mess With Bill
Hunter Gets Captured By the Game
My Baby Must Be A Magician
When You're Young and In Love
Too Many Fish in the Sea
* Million Seller

Additional Hits
(Reached Top 25 Nationally)
Twistin Postman
Strange I Know
Lockin Up My Heart
Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead

Hit Albums
Please Mr. Postman
Marvelous Marvelettes
Marvelettes Sing
Playboy
Marvelettes Greatest Hits

Listen to The Marvelettes, please click tunes below!!!
Please Mr. Postman

Beachwood 4-5789

Playboy

Too Many Fish in the Sea


If you like this Show, we would like to recommend:
Linwood Peel's A Tribute To The Drifters

The Cornell Gunter Coasters

The Platters

Bridging The Glory Days of the 1940s and 1950s: Starring The Platters with the NYC BIg Band

The Hall of Fame Show, starring: Linwood Peel's A Tribute To The Drifters; The Cornell Gunter Coasters and The Marvelettes