Music
Wanda Young
1943–2021 · singer
Inkster-born lead singer of the Marvelettes from the mid-1960s, heard on "Don't Mess with Bill" and "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game".
- Born
Inkster, Michigan- Died
aged 78- Birth name
- Wanda LaFaye Young
- Also known as
- Wanda Rogers
- Detroit years
- 1943–1970s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Young grew up in Inkster, one of ten children of a Ford plant worker, and was studying nursing when her Inkster High School classmate Gladys Horton asked her to audition for the spot left by Georgia Dobbins. She joined the group just as it returned to Motown with "Please Mr. Postman", and she sang lead on the B-side, "So Long, Baby". Her softer, slightly husky voice came forward on "I'll Keep Holding On", and from the mid-1960s she was the Marvelettes' main lead, singing Smokey Robinson's "Don't Mess with Bill", a million seller, "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" and "My Baby Must Be a Magician". In 1963 she married the Miracles' Bobby Rogers in Detroit. Her 1970 solo album, produced by Robinson, was released as The Return of the Marvelettes. She left Motown when it moved to Los Angeles in 1972 and later recorded again for Motorcity Records.
Highlights
- Joined the Marvelettes before "Please Mr. Postman" (1961)
- Lead vocal on "Don't Mess with Bill" (1966), a million seller
- Lead on "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" (1967)
- Recorded the 1970 album The Return of the Marvelettes
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · late 1950s–1961
Inkster High School
Demolished · 2015
The Marvelettes formed here in 1960 among glee-club classmates. The school closed in 2013 and was demolished in 2015.
Recorded here · 1961–1970
Motown Museum
The Marvelettes recorded here in Studio A.
Performed here · 1960s
Graystone Ballroom
Demolished · 1922–1980
The Marvelettes played the ballroom, which Berry Gordy bought in 1963. Demolished in 1980.