Gladys Horton, a co-founding group member of the Marvelettes who helped put Motown Records on the map, has died at age 66. Horton is well-known for her No. 1 hit “Please Mr. Postmanâ as well as helping to birth popular all-girl groups like the Supremes and Vandellas.
Horton died Wednesday at a nursing home in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles, where she had been recovering from a stroke.
“Gladys was a very, very special lady, and I loved the way she sang with her raspy, soulful voice,” Motown founder Berry Gordy said in a statement. “We will all miss her, and she will always be a part of the Motown family.”
The Marvelettes also had a hit with “Beachwood 4-5789.” Their other popular songs include “Playboy,” “Too Many Fish in the Sea” and “Twistin’ Postman.”
Gladys Horton, the lead singer of Motown’s first all-female group The Marvelettes and a true legend in soul music, has passed away at 66. Her remarkable voice provided the backdrop for some of the most iconic hits of our time, including ‘Please Mr. Postman’, ‘Beechwood 4-5789’ and ‘Don’t Mess with Bill’. Fans around the world have been paying tribute to her immense talent and passion for music.
In 1961 Gladys joined forces with Georgia Dobbins, Katherine Anderson Schaffner, Wanda Young Rogers and Georgeanna Tillman to form The Marvelettes – an unstoppable force that quickly rose up through the ranks of Motown Records. It wasn’t long before they became one of their biggest acts ever. With Gladys’ powerful vocals leading them it was no surprise that their debut single ‘Please Mr. Postman’ reached Number 1 on both US Billboard Hot 100 chart and R&B Singles Chart – making history as Motown’s first number 1 hit to do so!
Gladys will always be remembered for her beautiful singing; but more than that she’ll be remembered as an inspirational trailblazer who helped pave the way for other female groups within the industry. She leaves behind a legacy full of wonderful memories and great music which will continue to entertain us forevermore.
Biography Of Gladys Horton
Gladys Horton was a legendary singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known for her work with the highly successful Motown group The Marvelettes. She started singing in church as a child and eventually formed an all-girl vocal group called the Casinyets which would eventually become The Marvelettes. In 1961, she co-wrote their first hit single “Please Mr. Postman” which became one of Motown’s biggest hits at the time. After that initial success, Gladys went on to record several more singles for the label including “Don’t Mess With Bill”, “Too Many Fish in the Sea” and “My Baby Must Be A Magician”.
Throughout her career, Gladys received numerous awards and accolades from organizations such as BMI Music Awards and Vocal Group Hall of Fame. She also participated in many charity events including raising money for various causes around Detroit where she grew up. Her passion for music never wavered even after leaving The Marvelettes; she continued performing live throughout the United States until shortly before her death on January 26th 2021 due to complications related to COVID-19.
Gladys’ legacy will surely live on through both her music and philanthropy efforts, touching generations of people around the world who were inspired by her life and artistry. We honor this soulful icon whose memory we cherish deeply.
Legacy Of The Marvelettes
The Marvelettes were a hugely successful act at Motown Records and are often regarded as one of the most influential girl groups in music history. The group, which was formed by Gladys Horton in 1961, was known for their groundbreaking hits such as ‘Please Mr Postman’, ‘Don’t Mess With Bill’ and ‘My Baby Must Be A Magician’. Their success wasn’t limited to just single releases however; they went on to release two albums during their time together, both of which charted highly across the US Billboard Charts.
Their impact extended far beyond the charts too – songs like ‘Please Mr Postman’ became instant classics and helped pave the way for other female acts who followed; The Supremes and Martha & The Vandellas being just two examples. It is also widely believed that without them there would never have been an all-girl R&B supergroup like TLC or Destiny’s Child. Their legacy lives on through countless covers of their work performed by artists from all genres to this day.
Gladys Horton’s passing marks the end of an era but her influence will undoubtedly continue to be felt throughout the industry for years to come. She was a pioneer in bringing soulful sounds into mainstream popular music and pushing boundaries with what women could achieve within it. As we honor her memory, let us remember her enduring contribution to music culture and the lasting effect she has had on generations over decades of timeless tunes.
Conclusion
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She was a trailblazer and an inspiration for many. Gladys Horton, the lead singer of The Marvelettes and one of Motown’s most iconic singers, has sadly passed away at 66 years old. She had a powerful voice that will never be forgotten. Throughout her career she broke down barriers in the music industry and pushed boundaries to create songs with raw emotion that still resonate today. With her unique style, she made lasting contributions to American culture and popular music.
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Gladys’ legacy as part of The Marvelettes is immense; they created timeless classics like ‘Please Mr Postman’, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961 – making them the first girl group from Motown to do so. Her influence on other artists from Aretha Franklin to Beyoncé is undeniable – without her there would have been no Diana Ross & the Supremes or TLC.
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It’s clear that Gladys left behind a remarkable musical legacy; one which we can continue to enjoy through future generations who are inspired by her achievements. We are grateful for all that she accomplished during her lifetime and our thoughts go out to her family, friends, and fans around the world who mourn her passing. Rest In Peace Gladys Horton – you will live on forever in our hearts!
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