The Jones Girls

The Jones Girls were an American soul group from Detroit, formed in 1965 as a gospel trio by sisters Brenda, Shirley, and Valorie Jones, who were aged 9–12 at the group’s inception. Between 1979 and 1985, they released five albums on Philadelphia International Records and RCA.

Members: Brenda Jones (vocals), Shirley Jones (vocals), Valorie Jones (vocals)

Background

The Jones Girls formed in 1965 in Detroit when sisters Shirley, Brenda, and Valorie Jones organized a gospel trio under their mother, RCA gospel singer Mary Frazier Jones. The sisters sang at church services with their mother before they shifted to secular material as teenagers. Manager Dick Scott represented the trio as the Jones Girls opened Detroit dates for the Four Tops and Little Richard.

The Jones Girls made their first record in 1970 with “My Own Special Way” (b/w “Learn How to Love”) on GM Records. Dick Scott produced the Eddie Robinson composition. The trio moved to Holland-Dozier-Holland’s Music Merchant label in 1972 for “Come Back” (b/w “You’re the Only Bargain I’ve Got”) and “You’re the Only Bargain I’ve Got” (b/w “Your Love Controls Me”). Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier wrote “Come Back” and “Your Love Controls Me” for the Music Merchant sessions.

In 1974, The Jones Girls recorded two Paramount singles: “If You Don’t Start Nothing” (b/w “If You Don’t Love Me No More”) and “Will You Be There” (b/w “I Need You”). Gil Askey arranged “Will You Be There” and recommended the trio to Diana Ross for tour work. The sisters moved to Curtom in 1975 for “I Turn to You” (b/w “Misteri”) and “Hey Lucinda” (b/w “If You Don’t Love Me No More”), part of sessions that also produced an unreleased album.

The Jones Girls joined Ross as background singers in 1976 for a two-year series of engagements. Ross gave the trio a featured stage spot for “If I Ever Lose This Heaven.” The group also took background-vocal work with Aretha Franklin and Lou Rawls. At a Philadelphia stop on the Ross tour, Kenny Gamble and Patti LaBelle heard the Jones Girls in concert. Ross introduced the trio to Gamble after the show. Gamble and Leon Huff signed the Jones Girls in early 1979 to Philadelphia International Records.

Discography:

• The Jones Girls (1979)
• At Peace With Woman (1980)
• Get as Much Love as You Can (1981)
• On Target (1983)
• Keep It Comin’ (1984)