The Blackberries facts for kids

The Blackberries were a group of three talented female singers. They were known for singing backup for many famous artists. Some of these artists included Humble Pie, Ringo Starr, and Pink Floyd. The group also recorded their own music with record labels like Mowest and A&M Records.

How The Blackberries Started

By 1970, three amazing singers named Venetta Fields, Sherlie Matthews, and Clydie King were very popular for their backup singing. Venetta Fields had sung with The Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Clydie King had been a Raelette, singing backup for Ray Charles. Sherlie Matthews was a singer and songwriter for record labels like Motown Records.

These three talented women decided to form their own group, which they called The Blackberries. Sherlie Matthews chose the name, inspired by Berry Gordy, who founded Motown Records.

In 1971, they helped DJ Tom Clay record his famous spoken word song, "What the World Needs Now Is Love/Abraham, Martin, and John." They also planned to release their own song, "Somebody Up There," in 1972. However, it wasn't officially released until 2013 on a special collection album.

Singing for The Supremes

In 1972, a songwriter and producer named Jimmy Webb asked Venetta Fields and Clydie King to sing backup for The Supremes. They helped add more voices to some songs on The Supremes' album, The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb.

Later, Jimmy Webb said he wished he hadn't added extra singers. He realized that The Supremes (Jean Terrell, Lynda Laurence, and Mary Wilson) were already strong enough singers on their own. For many years, people were confused about who the backup singers were. But Jean Terrell and Lynda Laurence later confirmed it was definitely Clydie King and Venetta Fields.

Working with Humble Pie

In 1972, Steve Marriott from the band Humble Pie asked Venetta Fields to find two other singers for a recording session. Venetta chose Clydie King and Sherlie Matthews, bringing The Blackberries together again.

They recorded an album with Humble Pie as their backing band, but it was never released. However, The Blackberries did release their own song, "Twist And Shout," in 1973. They also sang backup on Humble Pie's album Eat It in 1973.

When Steve Marriott asked The Blackberries to go on tour with Humble Pie, Sherlie Matthews couldn't go because of other plans. Billie Barnum took her place. The Blackberries, with Billie, Venetta, and Clydie, toured with Humble Pie in 1973.

Touring with Pink Floyd

David Gilmour, the guitarist for Pink Floyd, was friends with Humble Pie's drummer, Jerry Shirley. David asked if Pink Floyd could hire The Blackberries for two concerts in Europe. Steve Marriott of Humble Pie agreed, even though he didn't really want to.

So, The Blackberries (Billie Barnum, Venetta Fields, and Clydie King) toured with Pink Floyd in October 1973. This was during Pink Floyd's famous Dark Side of the Moon Tour.

By 1974, the group's lineup changed again. The Blackberries were now Venetta Fields, Billie Barnum, and Carlena Williams. They sang on Humble Pie's 1974 album, Thunderbox.

Later that year, Pink Floyd's manager invited them to tour again. Venetta Fields and Carlena Williams toured with Pink Floyd on their 1974 French Summer Tour and British Winter Tour. The two singers also provided backup vocals for Pink Floyd's 1975 album, Wish You Were Here. They also performed on the North American tour for that album.

After The Blackberries

In 1976, Venetta Fields and Clydie King appeared in the movie A Star Is Born. They played The Oreos, who were the backup singers for Barbra Streisand's character. They also sang on the movie's soundtrack.

Songs The Blackberries Released

Singles

• 1970: Pacific Gas & Electric with The Blackberries – "Are You Ready?"
• 1973: "Twist And Shout" / "Don't Change On Me"
• 1974: "Yesterday's Music" / "Life Is Full Of Joy"

Album Appearances

• 1974: Super Soul (Disc-o-Tek)
• 2010: A Cellarful Of Motown! Volume 4
• 2013: The Complete Motown Singles | Vol. 12A: 1972

Backup Vocals for Other Artists

The Blackberries sang backup on many albums for different artists. Here are some of them:

• 1970: Fever Tree – For Sale
• 1970: Clydie King – Direct Me
• 1970: Pacific Gas & Electric – Are You Ready?
• 1971: Larry Murray – Sweet Country Suite
• 1971: Ronnie Milsap – Ronnie Milsap
• 1971: Crabby Appleton – Rotten To The Core!
• 1971: PG&E – PG&E
• 1971: Tom Clay – "What The World Needs Now Is Love" / "Abraham, Martin And John"
• 1971: Rita Coolidge – Rita Coolidge
• 1971: Hill, Barbata & Ethridge – L.A. Getaway
• 1971: Hoyt Axton – Joy to the World
• 1972: Arlo Guthrie – City Of New Orleans
• 1972: Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band – Clear Spot
• 1972: Nolan Porter – Nolan
• 1973: Humble Pie – Eat It
• 1973: Sammy Johns – Sammy Johns
• 1973: Sherman Hayes – Catman
• 1973: Diane Kolby – Diane Kolby
• 1974: Ringo Starr – Goodnight Vienna
• 1974: Humble Pie – Thunderbox
• 1975: Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
• 1977: Steely Dan – Aja