Mary Wells facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Wells
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Wells in 1965
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mary Esther Wells |
| Also known as | Mary Wells Womack |
| Born | May 13, 1943 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | July 26, 1992 (aged 49) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1960–1990 |
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| Associated acts | |
Mary Esther Wells (born May 13, 1943 – died July 26, 1992) was an American singer. She helped create the special sound of Motown music in the early 1960s.
Mary Wells, along with groups like The Supremes, The Miracles, and The Temptations, helped bring music by Black artists to radio stations and homes across America. She helped connect people through music during that time.
She had many hit songs written mostly by Smokey Robinson. Some of her famous songs from 1962 include "The One Who Really Loves You", "Two Lovers", and "You Beat Me to the Punch", which was even nominated for a Grammy Award. Her most famous song was "My Guy" in 1964. Because of her success, she was known as "The Queen of Motown" until she left the company in 1964.
Contents
Mary Wells: Her Life and Music Journey
Early Life and First Songs
Mary Esther Wells was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 13, 1943. She was one of three children. Mary faced health challenges when she was young, including illnesses that affected her sight and hearing. She grew up in a tough neighborhood and helped her mother with cleaning jobs from a young age.
Singing became a way for Mary to find comfort. By age 10, she was singing in church choirs and performing in local clubs around Detroit. After finishing high school at 17, Mary first thought about becoming a scientist. But when she heard about the success of Detroit musicians like Jackie Wilson and the Miracles, she decided to try music as a singer and songwriter.
In 1960, 17-year-old Mary Wells met Berry Gordy, the founder of Tamla Records. She wanted him to hear a song she had written for Jackie Wilson. Berry Gordy was tired, but he asked Mary to sing the song herself. He was very impressed! Gordy then had Mary record the song, "Bye Bye Baby". After many tries, Gordy signed Mary to his new record label, Motown. The song was released in September 1960 and became a hit, reaching number 8 on the R&B chart and number 45 on the pop chart.
Mary's first Motown songs had a rougher R&B sound. She became the first female artist from Motown to have a song in the Top 40 pop chart with "I Don't Want to Take a Chance" in 1961. When another song didn't do well, Gordy paired Mary with the Miracles' lead singer, Smokey Robinson. Even though other female singers were signed before her, Mary Wells was Motown's first big female solo star.
Achieving Great Success
Working with Smokey Robinson led to many hit songs for Mary over the next two years. Their first song together, "The One Who Really Loves You" in 1962, was a big success. It reached number 2 on the R&B chart and number 8 on the pop chart. This song had a fun, calypso-like soul sound that became Mary's early style.
A few months later, Motown released "You Beat Me to the Punch". This song became her first number 1 hit on the R&B chart and reached number 9 on the pop chart. Because of this song's success, Mary became the first Motown star to be nominated for a Grammy Award in 1963.
In late 1962, "Two Lovers" became Mary's third hit song in a row to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 7. It was also her second number 1 hit on the R&B chart. This made her the first female solo artist to have three Top 10 pop songs in a row! "Two Lovers" sold over one million copies. Mary's success meant she was a main performer in the first Motortown Revue concerts, which started in late 1962.
Mary's success continued in 1963 with songs like "Laughing Boy" and other Top 40 hits such as "Your Old Standby" and "You Lost the Sweetest Boy". Smokey Robinson continued to be her main producer.
In 1964, Mary Wells recorded "My Guy". This song, written by Smokey Robinson, became her most famous hit. It was number 1 on the R&B chart for seven weeks and was the top R&B song of the year. It also reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for two weeks. "My Guy" was Mary's second song to sell over a million copies.
To build on this success, Motown released a duet album with fellow Motown star Marvin Gaye, called Together. This album was very popular, reaching number 1 on the R&B album chart.
"My Guy" was one of the first Motown songs to become popular in the United Kingdom, reaching number 5 on the UK chart and making Mary an international star. Around this time, the Beatles said Mary was their favorite American singer. She was even invited to open for them during their tour in the United Kingdom, making her the first Motown artist to perform there. Mary became friends with all four Beatles.
Leaving Motown Records
Even though 1964 was her most successful year, Mary Wells had problems with Motown. She had signed her first contract when she was 17 years old. She also felt that the money from "My Guy" was being used to promote other groups, like The Supremes. Mary wanted to leave Motown.
After some legal discussions, Mary was allowed to leave Motown in early 1965. She then signed a big contract with 20th Century Fox Records. Part of the agreement was that she would not receive money from her past Motown songs.
Challenges in Her Career
After leaving Motown, Mary Wells faced challenges. Her first album with 20th Century Fox Records did not do well. Some people thought Motown might have tried to stop radio stations from playing her new music. After a difficult time, Mary left 20th Century Fox in 1965.
In 1966, Mary signed with Atlantic Records' label Atco. She had another Top 10 R&B hit with "Dear Lover". But she struggled to have another big hit. In 1968, she moved to Jubilee Records, where she had her last pop hit, "The Doctor". She also tried acting, appearing in a movie called Catalina Caper in 1967. In 1972, "My Guy" was re-released in the UK and became a hit again, reaching number 14. Mary promoted the song and appeared on a British TV show. Despite this, she decided to stop making music in 1974 to focus on her family.
A Comeback and Final Years
In 1977, Mary Wells returned to performing. In 1978, she was offered a contract with Epic Records. In 1981, they released her album In and Out of Love, which included her biggest hit in years, the dance song "Gigolo".
"Gigolo" became very popular in dance clubs. It reached number 2 on the Hot Disco Songs chart. A shorter version for radio also did well. This was Mary's last song to appear on the music charts.
After this, Mary continued to record for smaller labels and became a successful touring performer. In 1989, Mary Wells received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, celebrating her important contributions to music.
In 1990, Mary's voice began to change, and doctors found she had a serious illness. This illness affected her voice and made it hard for her to sing. Because she didn't have health insurance, her illness caused financial difficulties. Many of her friends from Motown, like Diana Ross and Martha Reeves, and other famous artists like Rod Stewart and Aretha Franklin, helped her. A benefit concert was also held to support her.
In 1991, Mary Wells spoke before the United States Congress. She encouraged the government to fund research for illnesses like hers. She said, "I can't cheer you on with all my voice, but I can encourage, and I pray to motivate you with all my heart and soul and whispers."
Mary Wells: Family Life
Mary Wells had four children: Cecil, Jr., Harry, Stacy, and Sugar. She was married twice. Her second marriage was to singer-songwriter Cecil Womack, and they had three children together.
Mary Wells: Passing Away
In the summer of 1992, Mary Wells's health worsened, and she passed away on July 26, 1992, at the age of 49. Her old friend and music partner, Smokey Robinson, spoke at her funeral. Mary was cremated, and her ashes were placed in Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Awards and Honors for Mary Wells
Mary Wells has been nominated twice for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986 and 1987.
Her famous song "My Guy" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
She received one of the first Pioneer Awards from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1989.
Mary Wells was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2017, she was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Mary Wells: Her Music List
Hit Singles
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Popular Albums
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