Mary was born in Detroit, Michigan. She was inflicted with spinal meningitis at age two, which left her with partial blindness, deafness in one ear and temporary paralysis. To help her deal with the pain, Mary began singing in church choir and then performing in local clubs in the area. Wells graduated from Northwestern High School with dreams of becoming a scientist, but soon set her sights on music.
In 1960, Wells sought out Berry Gordy, founder of Tamla Records, and gave Gordy a song she had written for Jackie Wilson to record. Instead, Gordy asked for Mary to sing the song for him. He was impressed, and arranged for Wells to record the song, "Bye Bye Baby". Afterwards, Wells signed a recording contract with Tamla, and the single reached #8 on the R&B chart and #45 overall.
In 1961, Wells became the first female at Motown to score a Top 40 hit, when "I Don't Want To Take A Chance" reached #33. Wells released her first album that year, but when the single "Strange Love" went nowhere, Gordy instructed Smokey Robinson, lead singer of the Miracles, to work with Mary.
Wells recorded an album with Marvin Gaye, and although it was a #1 R&B album, failed to generate any huge popular hits.
Wells was upset with Motown over her original recording contract, signed when she was 17. She signed a $200,000 contract with 20th Century Fox Records instead. Oddly enough, after her signature song "My Guy", Wells released 12 singles, with her best being "What's the Matter with You Baby" (with Gaye) at #17.
In 1999, "My Guy" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Mary enjoyed 12 Top 40 hits, with four of those reaching the Top 10.
In 1960, Wells sought out Berry Gordy, founder of Tamla Records, and gave Gordy a song she had written for Jackie Wilson to record. Instead, Gordy asked for Mary to sing the song for him. He was impressed, and arranged for Wells to record the song, "Bye Bye Baby". Afterwards, Wells signed a recording contract with Tamla, and the single reached #8 on the R&B chart and #45 overall.
In 1961, Wells became the first female at Motown to score a Top 40 hit, when "I Don't Want To Take A Chance" reached #33. Wells released her first album that year, but when the single "Strange Love" went nowhere, Gordy instructed Smokey Robinson, lead singer of the Miracles, to work with Mary.
The combination worked wonders. With Robinson writing and Wells singing, Mary's career took off. In 1962, the title track from Mary's second album, The One Who Really Loves You, gave Mary her first Top 10 song at #8 and peaked at #2 on the R&B chart.
Next, Wells released "You Beat Me To The Punch", a #1 R&B song and #9 overall. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording.
In 1962, Wells released the single "Two Lovers", her second straight #1 R&B, and a #7 hit overall.
Mary's next five releases (with two double-sided hits) failed to generate the same success. But in 1964, Wells released the single "My Guy", a #1 smash for seven weeks and her first and only #1 popular song. The song is still part of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era* club.
Wells recorded an album with Marvin Gaye, and although it was a #1 R&B album, failed to generate any huge popular hits.
Wells was upset with Motown over her original recording contract, signed when she was 17. She signed a $200,000 contract with 20th Century Fox Records instead. Oddly enough, after her signature song "My Guy", Wells released 12 singles, with her best being "What's the Matter with You Baby" (with Gaye) at #17.
In 1999, "My Guy" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Mary enjoyed 12 Top 40 hits, with four of those reaching the Top 10.
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