Mary Wells - First Lady of Motown

Wells came to Motown with the intention of getting a song to Jackie Wilson, but Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. had other ideas. Instead, Gordy brought her into the studio to record her composition, "Bye Bye Baby." In subsequent releases, songwriter William "Smokey" Robinson emphasized her sultry side. Wells was Motown's first star and toured with the Beatles. Although she left the company at age 21 to pursue a career at 20th Century Fox, Mary Wells never surpassed her output at Motown. She died in 1992. Featured song: "You Beat Me to the Punch" by William "Smokey" Robinson.

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[starofsd]

Mary Wells, Martha & the Vandellas, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Gladys Knight, Freda Payne....the true women of soul and Motown. What memories they have left us with.

[metromonthly]

Don't forget the Marvelettes, Brenda Holloway and Kim Weston.

[rayclarkpalmer]

Okay, someone please tell me whyt Mary did not become a bigger succes?

[metromonthly]

She left Motown when she turned 21. Side A side of the "My Guy" album indicates where Motown planned to take Mary.

[toliveanddieinthepeg]

i think oldies are gonna come back

and i hope they do

todays music is fuckin garbage

r.i.p mary wells love your voice XD

[tomhornlll]

Mary,

I' m the one who really loves you!!!

[1096olopez]

EN TIJUANA NOS GUSTA LA MUSICA DE LA REYNA DE LAS OLDIES MARY WELLS RIP

[oldiesbutgoodies67]

I'm a whitey "Trogg" Irishman but long live Mary Wells and Diana Ross..! Dan O'Niallain

[vondell45002]

read her book it's great story about her and diana ross

[birdatplay]

original diva?

[OdysseyLoungeA2]

@SaxPlaya4 Come back? Where'd they go!?!

[SaxPlaya4]

@toliveanddieinthepeg oh don't you worry they are definately gonna come back. Music back then wasn't just about the latest shoes or the bling it was actuall about the talent. People back then actually spent more time to practice singing than dancing. That would come later.

[MIGUELMANCUNIAN]

Didn' t know the song, sounds the same as You Threw a lucky punch, of Gene Chandler.

[RitaPopcorn]

Very nice Mary Wells. Très belle chanson. Stupenda canzone!!

Grazie

[iHeartBeauty18]

I love the way she says, You Beat Me to the "Punch".

Love this song. Classic!

[xunclexx]

Not to be technical, metromonthly, Mary Wells was the FIRST MOTOWN WOMAN STAR. There were two other women there at Hitsville BEFORE Ms Wells. Mabel John who signed with Gordy's Tamla Records in 1959 and Claudette Rogers of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles who "joined" the Miracles in 1957 and signed with Tamla Records also in Jan. 1959. Mary Wells signed with "Motown" in 1960. Motown Records was started on April 19, 1960.