Mary Wells
Background information
Birth name	Mary Esther Wells
Born	May 13, 1943
Origin	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Died	July 26, 1992 of Larynx Cancer (age 49)
Genre(s)	R&B, pop
Occupation(s)	Singer,
Years active	1959-1992
Label(s)	Motown, Atco

Mary Esther Wells (May 13, 1943 – July 26, 1992) was an American soul, R&B, and pop singer. She was one of the signature voices of the Motown sound, most famous for her 1964 hit "My Guy". May 13 is the 133rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (134th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Nickname: Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Settled 1701 Incorporation 1806 Government  - Type Strong Mayor-Council  - Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Area  - City  143. ... July 26 is the 207th day (208th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 158 days remaining. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Voicebox redirects here. ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... R&B was a term previously used to describe Rhythm and blues music, during the 1940s and 1960s. ... For popular music (music produced commercially rather than art or folk music), see Popular music. ... Ercole de Roberti: Concert, c. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Motown Records, Inc. ... ATCO Ltd. ... May 13 is the 133rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (134th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... July 26 is the 207th day (208th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 158 days remaining. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... For popular music (music produced commercially rather than art or folk music), see Popular music. ... Motown Records, Inc. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... My Guy is a 1964 #1 hit single recorded by Mary Wells for the Motown label. ...

Biography

Humble beginnings

Wells grew up in a poor Detroit, Michigan neighborhood without a father. Her mother worked tirelessly in domestic work to support Mary and her two siblings. When Wells was two, she caught spinal meningitis. She managed to survive the often fatal disease, but lost her sight, her hearing, and was temporary paralyzed. Eventually her hearing and eyesight returned, but it took her some time to learn to walk again. Nickname: Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Settled 1701 Incorporation 1806 Government  - Type Strong Mayor-Council  - Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Area  - City  143. ... Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system, known collectively as the meninges. ...

Early career

From an early age Wells had a love of music and singing, and was a member of the Northwestern High School choir. She also sang at local clubs and competed in various talent contests. In 1959, she met Tamla Records chief Berry Gordy's assistant, Robert Bateman, telling him about a song she had written for artist Jackie Wilson. Bateman arranged an audition for Wells and her song with Gordy, and she sang the song for the record producer. Instead of buying the song for Wilson, Gordy offered Wells a contract as an artist. The song Wells had sang, "Bye Bye Baby," became her first single after some polishing and was released on the Tamla label. The song ended up a top ten R&B hit in 1960, and crossed over to pop radio where it peaked at #45. Motown Records, also known as Tamla-Motown outside of the United States, is a record label originally based out of Detroit, Michigan (Motor City), where it achieved widespread international success. ... Berry Gordy, Jr. ... Jackie Wilson Jack Leroy Jackie Wilson (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American soul and R&B singer born in Detroit, Michigan. ...

With Mary Wells' debut success, Gordy, who was at the time expanding Tamla Records into the Motown Record Corporation, immediately brought her back to the studio. Their work produced the follow-up hit, "I Don't Want to Take a Chance," which equaled her first single's success. Her third single, "Strange Love," met indifferent reception at radio and failed to chart. In 1962, Gordy decided to bring Wells and Motown's star songwriter, Smokey Robinson, together. William Smokey Robinson, Jr. ...

In early 1962, "The One Who Really Loves You" swept across the nation. The ballad broke into the top ten at both R&B and Pop radio, eventually peaking at #2 at R&B and #8 on Billboard's Pop chart. Gordy immediately followed with the release of "You Beat Me to the Punch," a light-hearted tune that reached #1 at R&B and replicated its predecessor's success at Pop. The string of hits continued with "Two Lovers," a tune that brought Wells her second R&B #1 and her third Pop top ten in a row. When the album The One Who Really Loves You was released, it broke the top ten at the album chart and became the best selling Motown album to that point. Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ...

The year 1963 brought another string of hits and a premature greatest hits compilation. "Laughing Boy" and "What's Easy for Two is So Hard for One" both broke the R&B top ten and the top thirty at Pop. "Your Old Standby" surpassed its A-side ("What Love Has Joined Together") and peaked at #8 at R&B and broke the Pop top forty. Wells rounded out the year with another R&B top ten, "You Lost the Sweetest Boy" (with the Supremes and the Temptations singing backup), which also ended up peaking at #22 on the Pop chart. The Supremes were a Motown all-female singing group. ... The Temptations (often abbreviated as The Tempts or The Temps) are an American Motown singing group whose repertoire has included doo-wop, soul, psychedelia, funk, disco, R&B, and adult contemporary. ...

"My Guy" and concurrent success

A new song for 1964 became Wells' signature song and her most successful as well. "My Guy", which featured the yearning voice of Wells and the Robinson's infectious lyrics and arrangement, became Wells' greatest hit. Though the song started off slowly, it broke up The Beatles run at the top of the pop charts in May of 1964. The song became one of Motown's classics, and today is used in many films and commercials. My Guy is a 1964 #1 hit single recorded by Mary Wells for the Motown label. ...

With a smash hit riding the airwaves of summer, Gordy decided to team the two stars of his label, Wells and Marvin Gaye, who had gradually built up momentum on the charts. Together, the result of their work, became a hit album and featured two simultaneous top twenty hits, "Once Upon a Time" (#17 Pop) and "What's the Matter With You Baby (#19 Pop). Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. ... Together, released on Motowns Tamla label in 1964 (see 1964 in music), was the first and only album released by the duo team of Motown artists Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells. ...

It was at this time that The Beatles openly called Wells their favorite American singer, and invited her to tour with them throughout the United Kingdom. Wells accepted their invitation, and, after she had left Motown, was inspired to record Love Songs to the Beatles, an album featured several songs penned by the British stars. The Beatles were an English rock band from Liverpool whose members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. ...

Breaking from Motown

After a successful year, Wells reflected on her career and especially the financial reward (or lack thereof) she had received from her success. With encouragement from her husband, Herman Griffin, and a lucrative contract with 20th Century Fox Records which promised a film career, Mary Wells sued Motown. She argued not only for larger royalties, but to dissolve the original contract she'd signed at age seventeen. Wells won the lawsuit and was rewarded a fair settlement. Gordy tried to prevent other labels from signing the successful singer to no avail, as she signed with Fox. Twentieth (20th) Century Fox Film Corporation (known from 1935 to 1985 as Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation) is one of the major American film studios. ...

Life after Motown

Wells immediately began recording new material for her new self-titled album. Despite her first three singles at the label being relative successes, the album brought in disappointing sales. The label began having second thoughts and pulled promotion for the album. They also failed to fulfill the film agreements, and the contract was dissolved in mid-1965 with Wells walking away with a small settlement.

Next, Wells signed with Atco Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records. With the dedicated promotion of Atco Records, Well's first single with the label, "Dear Lover," hit #6 at R&B radio, and just missed breaking the top fifty at pop. All of the following singles failed. The Two Sides of Mary Wells album with the label was even less successful than her previous. A two-year contract with Jubilee Records brought two minor hits, "The Doctor" and "Dig the Way I Feel," but ended the same as her previous contracts. Atco Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMGs Rhino Entertainment. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ...

By 1970, Wells had divorced Griffin and married Cecil Womack, brother of recording artist Bobby Womack. Together they had six children and she decided to retire from performing in 1970. She returned twice to record singles for Reprise Records, but neither found success. Wells divorced Womack in 1977 and experienced a slight career rebirth in 1981, when she recorded In and Out of Love, a disco-infused album for Epic Records. The single "Gigolo" became a major dance hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard disco charts, and crossing over to peak at #69 on the R&B chart. She remarried in the late 80s, to concert promoter Kenneth Johnson, where they had met in Bakersfield, CA. Cecil Womack (born 1947) is one of the famous musical Womack brothers. ... Robert Dwayne Womack (born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA on March 4, 1944), is an African-American singer, guitarist and songwriter. ... Reprise Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group, operated through Warner Bros. ... Epic Records is an American record label, and subsidiary of Sony BMG. // Epic was launched originally as a jazz and classical music label in 1953 by CBS. Its bright-yellow, black and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. ... Kenneth Johnson (born 26 October 1942) is an American screenwriter, producer and director best known as the creator of the series V. His creative efforts are almost entirely concentrated in the area of television science fiction. ... Bakersfield is the county seat of Kern County, California, in the United States. ...

The last years

With newfound fame, Wells continued touring, and re-recorded some of her hits and some new material for an Allegiance Records album, I'm a Lady. In 1990, she released another album, Keeping My Mind on Love, for Motor City Records. That same year, Wells, a longtime smoker, was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx. She immediately began treatment and was forced to sell her house, possessions, and eventually could not afford health insurance. The treatments ravaged her voice, which forced Wells to quit touring. With no way to continue treatment, Wells' friends Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Martha Reeves financially supported her, with the help of many artists who looked up to Wells, including Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, and Bonnie Raitt. Oral cancer is any cancerous tissue growth located in the mouth. ... Voicebox redirects here. ... Diana Ross (born Diane Ernestine Earle Ross[1] on March 26, 1944) is an African-American Grammy Award-nominated singer and Oscar-nominated actress, whose musical repertoire spans R&B, soul, disco, and pop. ... Mary Wilson (born 6 March 1944 in Greenville, Mississippi) is an American singer best known for her work as a member of the Motown soul and pop group The Supremes. ... Martha Rose Reeves (born July 18, 1941 in Eufaula, Alabama) is an American R&B and soul singer and was the lead singer of the legendary Motown girl group Martha & the Vandellas. ... Roderick David Stewart, CBE (born January 10, 1945), is a Scottish / English singer born and raised in London. ... Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American soul, R&B, and gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist born in Memphis, Tennessee, but raised in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She has been called for many years The Queen Of Soul, but many also call her Lady Soul, as well as... Bonnie Raitt, (born November 8, 1949) is an American Blues-R&B singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Broadway musical star John Raitt. ...

Wells was honored by Stevie Wonder, Little Richard, and others on an episode of The Joan Rivers Show in 1990. The following year, she testified for Congress to encourage government funding for cancer research. In the summer of 1992, Wells was hospitalized for pneumonia at the Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. Stevie Wonder (born Steveland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Steveland Hardaway Morris),[1] is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. ... Little Richard (born Richard Wayne Penniman, December 5, 1932) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... Look up Congress in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Pneumonia is an illness of the lungs and respiratory system in which the alveoli (microscopic air-filled sacs of the lung responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere) become inflamed and flooded with fluid. ... This article is about the largest city in California. ...

Still suffering the effects of her cancer, her weakened immune system could not take the extra strain. Wells died on July 26, 1992 at age forty-nine. A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil (yellow), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange). ... July 26 is the 207th day (208th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 158 days remaining. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...

Discography

Albums

Motown releases

• 1961 Bye, Bye Baby/I Don't Want to Take a Chance
• 1962: The One Who Really Loves You US #8
• 1963: Two Lovers and Other Greatest Hits US #49
• 1964: Greatest Hits US #18
• 1964: Together (with Marvin Gaye) US #42
• 1964: Love Songs to the Beatles
• 1966: Vintage Stock (greatest hits compilation)
• Mary Wells On Stage

Later releases

• 1965: Mary Wells (20th Century Fox) US #145
• 1966: The Two Sides of Mary Wells (Atco)
• 1981: In and Out of Love (Epic)
• 1983: I'm a Lady (Allegiance)
• 1990: Keeping My Mind on Love (Motor City)

Motown Records, also known as Tamla-Motown outside of the United States, is a record label originally based out of Detroit, Michigan (Motor City), where it achieved widespread international success. ... Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. ...

Singles

• "Bye Bye Baby" (1960) R&B: #8 US: #45
• "I Don't Want to Take a Chance" (1961) R&B: #9 US: #33
• "Strange Love" (1961)
• "The One Who Really Loves You" (1962) R&B: #2 US: #8
• "You Beat Me to the Punch" (1962) R&B: #1 US: #9
• "Two Lovers" (1962) R&B: #1 US: #7
• "Laughing Boy" (1963) R&B: #6 US: #15
• "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right" (1963) US: #100 (b-side of "Laughing Boy")
• "What Love Has Joined Together" (1963)
• "Your Old Standby" (1963) R&B: #8 US: #40 (b-side of "What Love Has Joined Together")
• "What's So Easy for Two Is So Hard for One" (1963) R&B: #8 US: #29
• "You Lost the Sweetest Boy" (1963) R&B: #10 US: #22 (b-side of"What's So Easy for Two Is So Hard for One")
• "My Guy" (1964) US: #1 UK: #5
• "Stop Takin' Me for Granted" (1964) US: #88
• "Once Upon a Time" (1964) US: #19 (with Marvin Gaye)
• "What's the Matter With You Baby" (1964) US: #17 (with Marvin Gaye, b-side to "Once Upon a Time")
• "When I'm Gone" (1964)
• "Whisper You Love Me Boy" (1964)
• "Ain't It the Truth" (1964, 20th Century Fox) US: #45
• "Use Your Head" (1964, 20th Century Fox) R&B: #13 US: #34
• "Never, Never Leave Me" (1965, 20th Century Fox) R&B: #15 US: #54
• "He's a Lover" (1965, 20th Century Fox) US: #74
• "Me Without You" (1965, 20th Century Fox) US: #95
• "I Should Have Known Better" (1965, 20th Century Fox)
• "Dear Lover" (1965, Atco) R&B: #6 US: #51
• "Can't You See (You're Losing Me)" (1966, Atco) US: #94 (b-side of "Dear Lover")
• "Keep Me in Suspense" (1966, Atco)
• "Such a Sweet Thing" (1966, Atco) US: #99 (b-side of "Keep Me In Suspense")
• "Fancy Free" (1966, Atco)
• "Coming Home" (1967, Atco)
• "The Doctor" (1968, Jubilee) R&B: #22 US: #65
• "Can't Get Away From Your Love" (1968, Jubilee)
• "Don't Look Back" (1968, Jubilee)
• "Mind Reader" (1969, Jubilee)
• "Dig the Way I Feel" (1969, Jubilee) R&B: #35
• "Sweet Love" (1970, Jubilee)
• "Mr. Tough" (1971, Jubilee)
• "I Found What I Wanted" (1971, Reprise)
• "If You Can't Give Her Love (Give Her Up)" (1974, Reprise)
• "Gigolo" (1981, Epic) R&B: #69
• "These Arms" (1982, Epic)

It should be noted that Billboard did not publish an R&B singles chart in 1964, hence the absence of R&B chart positions for the singles Wells released that year. My Guy is a 1964 #1 hit single recorded by Mary Wells for the Motown label. ... Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. ...

External links

• CMG Worldwide