The Velvelettes

NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK - Stateside 1965
HE WAS REALLY SAYING SOMETHING
LONELY LONELY GIRL AM I - Tamla Motown 1965
THESE THINGS WILL KEEP ME LOVING YOU - Tamla Motown 1966

The Velvelettes originated from Detroit. It is truly amazing that Detroit had so much local talent. Was it there in any case or was it there as a result of Motown's presence? Did the fact that there was black record company on the  doorstep give them a helping hand with their own belief in themselves? It is certainly a fact that if you list all the artists from Detroit you will see a vast array of talent from one city.



Bertha Barbee formed the group The Velvelettes at Western Michigan University and in 1963 a fourteen year old girl joined and became the lead singer - Cal Gill. Afficianados will say that The Velevelettes were the finest girl group ever to record for Motown - better even than The Supremes.

Sylvia Moy -Norman Whitfield -Mickey Stevenson wrote for them.

In Manchester in the early to mid 60's the Velvelette's songs were highly regarded, up there with all the other amazing Detroit soul sounds.