The Supremes were an American soul-pop trio from Detroit, formed in 1961. Their classic lineup featured singers Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and frontwoman Diana Ross, who all grew up on the city’s east side. Signed to Motown, The Supremes were part of that label’s classic roster of chart-topping sixties artists, along with the Four Tops, […]
The Pointer Sisters were an American soul-pop group from Oakland, formed in 1969 by sisters Anita, June, and Bonnie; later joined by eldest sister Ruth Pointer. Presenting as a retro-1940s cabaret act, they cut four studio albums between 1973 and 1977 on Blue Thumb/ABC. Switching to contemporary soul-pop, the Pointer Sisters (without Bonnie) released six […]
Martha and the Vandellas were an American soul-pop trio from Detroit, signed to the Gordy division of Motown. Between 1963 and 1972, they released eight proper albums and numerous singles, scoring hits with “Heat Wave,” “Jimmy Mack,” “Nowhere to Run,” and the much-covered AM evergreen “Dancing In the Street.” Members: Martha Reeves (lead vocals), Rosalind […]
Labelle was an American soul-funk trio best known for their 1974 hit “Lady Marmalade.” The three women — Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash — first grouped in The Blue Belles, a 1960s Motown-style quartet. Labelle collaborated with Laura Nyro on the Columbia release Gonna Take a Miracle and made the 1971–72 Warner albums […]
Love Unlimited was an American soul trio from Los Angeles comprised of two sisters, Glodean and Linda James, and their cousin Diane Taylor. Barry White served as their writer, arranger, and producer. They debuted with a 1972 album on Uni Records, followed by the 1973/74 titles Under the Influence and In Heat on 20th Century. […]
The Three Degrees were an American soul group from Philadelphia, formed in 1963. After nineteen singles between 1964 and 1972 on SWAN, Metromedia, and Roulette, they charted as a PIR album act with the Gamble/Huff-produced songs “Dirty Ol’ Man” and “When Will I See You Again.” Members: Fayette Pinkney (1963-76), Shirley Porter (1963), Linda Turner […]
The Emotions were an American soul group from Chicago, formed in 1965 and initially a singles act on Brainstorm and Twin Stacks Records. The group released a pair of albums on Volt between 1970 and 1972, followed by five albums on Columbia between 1976 and 1981. Two further albums appeared on Red Label and Motown […]
Bananarama was an English vocal trio that charted with the 1982 singles “Shy Boy,” “Really Saying Something,” and “It Ain’t What You Do,” the last two in partnership with Fun Boy Three. Between 1983 and 1987, they made four albums on London Records and scored hits with “Cruel Summer,” “Robert De Niro’s Waiting,” and the […]
Hodges, James & Smith were an American vocal trio that released four albums between 1973 and 1978 on 20th Century Records. Early fourth member Carolyn Crawford also recorded as a solo artist. Members: Pat Hodges, Denita James, Jessica Smith, Carolyn Crawford (1971—72) Background Hodges, James & Smith were assembled in Los Angeles in 1970 by […]
First Choice was an American soul-funk vocal trio from Philadelphia. Between 1973 and 1980, they made six albums and scored R&B crossover hits with “Armed and Extremely Dangerous,” “Smarty Pants,” “The Player (Part 1),” and “Doctor Love.” Co-founder Wardell Piper left after the first album for a solo career. Members: Rochelle Fleming, Joyce Jones, Annette […]
Parlet was an American soul-funk vocal trio comprised of P-Funk backing singers. They released the 1978–80 Casablanca albums Pleasure Principle, Invasion of the Booty Snatchers, Play Me or Trade Me and scored R&B hits with “Ridin’ High” and “Wolf Tickets.” Members: Mallia Franklin (1978-79), Debbie Wright (1978), Janice Evans (1979-80), Shirley Hayden, Jeanette Washington Background George […]
Sunday’s Child was an American teenage soul-pop trio that released a 1970 album on Reprise. Singer Ren Woods later surfaced as a stage actress and soul-funk solo artist. Members: Ilene Anderson (vocals), Mary Lou Anderson (vocals), Renee “Ren” Woods (vocals) Background Sunday’s Child formed in Los Angeles in the late 1960s as a trio of […]
Brides of Funkenstein were an American soul-funk group from Detroit that released two albums on Atlantic in 1978/79. The group provided vocal backing for producer George Clinton in the mid-’70s iterations of Parliament and Funkadelic. Two of the members, Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry, sang together earlier in a late-period lineup of Sly & the […]
The Fuzz was an American soul group from Washington, D.C., that released a 1971 album on Calla Records. Members: Sheila Young (vocals), Barbara Gilliam [aka Roberta Gilliam] (vocals), Val Williams (vocals) Background The Fuzz formed in Washington, D.C., around vocalists Sheila Young, Barbara Gilliam, and Val Williams. Gilliam also appears in credits as Roberta Gilliam. […]
Lady Flash was an American soul-pop vocal trio that released the album Beauties in the Night on RSO in 1976. The group also provided vocal backing for Barry Manilow, who produced and co-wrote the album. Members: Debra Byrd, Lorraine Mazzola, Monica Burruss Background Lady Flash formed when Barry Manilow embarked on a talent search of […]
The Moirs were an Australian vocal trio comprised of Scottish-born sisters Jean, Margot, and Lesley Moir. In 1975, they released the album Lost – Somewhere Beyond Harmony as the Moir Sisters on EMI, followed in 1978 by the album State of Shock as The Moirs on Elton John‘s Rocket label. Members: Jean Moir (vocals), Margot […]
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 […]
Godmoma was an American female soul-funk trio that released the 1981 Elektra album Here. Singers Cynthia Girty and Arenita “Toni” Walker both had Sixties Detroit-group backgrounds and teamed with Carolyn Myles behind Bootsy Collins. Background Godmoma formed in Detroit by 1980 when singers Cynthia Girty, Arenita “Toni” Walker, and Carolyn Myles teamed as a backing-vocal […]
Hot was an American soul-pop vocal trio from Los Angeles that released three albums through 1979 on Big Tree Records. They scored a major 1977 hit with “Angel in Your Arms,” a ballad concerning a scorned wife’s sexual double life and its influence on the narrator. Members: Gwen Owens, Cathy Carson, Juanita Curiel Background Hot […]
