The Marvelettes

The Marvelettes was an American singing girl group on the Motown label. The group's first successful female vocal group, the Marvelettes are most notable for recording the label's first US #1 pop hit, "Please Mr. Postman&quo

The Marvelettes was an American singing girl group on the Motown label. The group's first successful female vocal group, the Marvelettes are most notable for recording the label's first US #1 pop hit, "Please Mr. Postman", and for setting the precedent for later Motown girl groups such as The Supremes and Martha & the Vandellas.

The group that became the first Motown success story had humble beginnings. Lacking confidence in their singing abilities, Gladys Horton and Georgia Dobbins formed the Casinyets (or "can't sing yets") in their hometown, Inkster, Michigan, with backing vocalists Georgeanna Tillman, Juanita Cowart, and Katherine Anderson. In 1961 the quintet entered the Inkster High School talent show, now called The Marvels, where they finished fourth. Though only the first three winners could win the prize of a trip to audition for the new Motown label, they were allowed to audition as well. In April of 1961 the group auditioned for Motown executives Brian Holland and Robert Bateman. Holland scheduled a second audition, requesting the group sing an original tune. Flummoxed, Dobbins asked William Garnett, to write a song for her. That song turned out to be their first single and greatest hit, "Please Mr. Postman." They returned to Motown with the song and a new member, Wanda Young, who replaced Dobbins (who was caring for an ill mother). They auditioned for Berry Gordy himself and Smokey Robinson, and received a recording contract.