Mary Wells
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Mary Esther Wells (May 13, 1943 – July 26, 1992) was an American singer who defined the early sound of Motown Records in the early sixties. Along with The Miracles, The Temptations, The Supremes, andThe Four Tops, Wells was said to have been part of the charge in black music onto radio stations and record shelves of mainstream America “bridging the color lines in music at the time.”
With a string of hit singles mainly composed by Smokey Robinson including “Two Lovers” (1962), the Grammy-nominated “You Beat Me to the Punch” (1962) and her signature hit, “My Guy” (1964), she became recognized as “The Queen of Motown” until her departure from the company in 1964, at the height of her popularity. In other circles, she’s referred to as the “The First Lady of Motown” and was one of Motown’s first singing superstars.
Mary Esther Wells was born near Detroit’s Wayne State University on May 13, 1943 to a domestic mother and an absentee father. One of three children, she caught spinal meningitis at the age of two and struggled with partial blindness, deafness in one ear and temporary paralysis. During her early years, Wells’ family grew up in a poor residential Detroit district. By age 12, Wells was helping her mother with housecleaning work. She described the ordeal years later:
With a string of hit singles mainly composed by Smokey Robinson including “Two Lovers” (1962), the Grammy-nominated “You Beat Me to the Punch” (1962) and her signature hit, “My Guy” (1964), she became recognized as “The Queen of Motown” until her departure from the company in 1964, at the height of her popularity. In other circles, she’s referred to as the “The First Lady of Motown” and was one of Motown’s first singing superstars.
Mary Esther Wells was born near Detroit’s Wayne State University on May 13, 1943 to a domestic mother and an absentee father. One of three children, she caught spinal meningitis at the age of two and struggled with partial blindness, deafness in one ear and temporary paralysis. During her early years, Wells’ family grew up in a poor residential Detroit district. By age 12, Wells was helping her mother with housecleaning work. She described the ordeal years later:
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Tamla Motown Gold
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Shoutbox
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LuvinLifeHombre wrote:
I can remember back in the day....Listening to her songs on the radio or watching her on TV..... stopping what I was doing and being mesmerized by her voice if just for a few minutes.
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BEARx3 wrote:
15 years old listening to oldies since i was 10 never regret it cause you beat me to the punch mary wells
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Dunangus wrote:
What a lovely lady and brilliant singer with so much love coming from her music
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Druid66 wrote:
Her "Guy" is one lucky dude indeed! As are we, to have her music.
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kaylakaulitz wrote:
My Guy <3
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mrdeaddaddy wrote:
very nice..
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ChucksLastFM1 wrote:
Shes really pretty.
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PerfectLie wrote:
She was always one of my favourites.
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GratefulFrog wrote:
i adore her
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LouisAlexander wrote:
One fine day!
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Batiste369 wrote:
Why so few plays?
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playsafe001 wrote:
The life and times of the motown stars is an extraordinary new book gives a fascinating insight into the lives and careers of all the key figures in the history of Motown, and chronicles the meteoric rise of the label. With over 150 life studies, this book is a `must read' for any fan of the music. From Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and The Four Tops, to Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5 - discover what life was really like for these musical legends. The release coincides with live arena tours of ex-Motown artists (Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson), the Motown Legends UK arena tour, major back catalogue album releases, nationwide in-store displays, and numerous TV interviews with ex-Motown stars. For more info contact James or Andrea james@hudson-pr.com / andrea@hudson-pr.com / 020 8 600 5010
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Shygirl-Gina wrote:
YES SHYGIRL-GINA........................ LOVE THIS SONG YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH...... REMINDS ME OF ELTON.T.GREENWOOD THAT DONT UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF HONESTY.. TRUE LOVE, YES THIS SONG IS FOR HIM.
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jaigurudevaom_ wrote:
I fell in love with her. you beat me to the puu-unch, oh!ho!oh!oh!..
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IRSARGE wrote:
untrue,no lie
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xAng3luSx wrote:
I've goot twoo loovers and I ain't ashamed... Twoo lovers & i love them both the same <3333
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enfieldchris wrote:
Hey swingers and friends I have just uploaded four new photos of Mary, the first ones added to the gallery in quite a few years. Get voting people!
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guidogiacomo wrote:
cool!
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johnnytoobad wrote:
Mary is the missing link between Otis Reading and Dionne Warwick ;)
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aikibluesoul wrote:
I banned 'my guy' because it is such a lame version. It's a pity.
Videos
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The One Who Really Loves You…
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You Beat Me To The Punch
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My Guy - Mary Wells - HQ
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(with backing by The Supremes)…
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