Mary Wells
Mary Wells (1943–1992) was an American singer who became Motown's first female star.
Her signature hit "My Guy" (1964) reached number one, and she recorded several successful duets with Marvin Gaye.
She left Motown at the height of her fame and never matched that early success.
Wells died of laryngeal cancer at forty-nine.
- MotownDetroit's soulful moniker
- record labelMusic publishing and distribution company
- singerVocal music performer
- soulInnermost animating essence
- 1960sDecade after the fifties
golden age · Detroit · Supremes · girl group · R&B · hitmaker · diva · vocals · backing vocals · beehive · sequins · Billboard · records · dancing · heartbreak · love songs · Berry Gordy · microphone
gender in early Motown
Mary WellsMarvin Gaye
Smokey Robinson · Stevie Wonder · Diana Ross · The Supremes · The Temptations
vocal style in 1960s soul
Mary WellsAretha Franklin