War poster proof by Harry Lawrence Gage, 1916
Gladys Horton, former lead singer for the Marvelettes, passed away earlier this week in Sherman Oaks. Horton was one of pop music's greatest accidental stars, and I love her story. When the Marvelettes first signed with Motown, the group's original lead vocalist, Georgia Dobbins, quit because her father didn't want her performing in nightclubs (the Marvelettes were teens at the time). Horton was thrust into a starring role when she sang the lead on the Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman", Motown's first number one hit and one of the greatest songs of the modern era. She never liked the spotlight, though, and, over the next six years, Wanda Young gradually took over the lead role in the group. In 1967, Horton left the Marvelettes to get married, gradually dropping her music career entirely in favor of caring for a handicapped son.
Her time as lead singer of the Marvelettes spawned many great vocal performances beyond "Please Mr. Postman", though - she sang lead on hits like "Beechwood 4-5789" and "Too Many Fish in the Sea" as well. Even after Wanda Young took control of the group, Horton would occasionally get a chance to turn in a nice lead vocal, as on 1965's "Your Cheating Ways". The b-side of the "Danger! Heartbreak Dead Ahead" single, "Your Cheating Ways" is a beautiful track propelled by peppy handclaps and Horton's soulful alto voice. She was 65 when she passed away Wednesday, following a series of strokes.
"Your Cheating Ways" by the Marvelettes
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