Mary Esther Wells (May 13, 1943 – July 26, 1992) was an American singer who helped to define the emerging sound of Motown in the early 1960s. Along with the Supremes, the Miracles, the Temptations, and the Four Tops, Wells was said to have been part of the charge in black music onto radio stations and record shelves of mainstream America, "bridging the color lines in music at the time."With a string of hit singles composed mainly by Smokey Robinson, including "Two Lovers" (1962), the Grammy-nominated "You Beat Me to the Punch" (1962) and her signature hit, "My Guy" (1964), she became recognized as "The Queen of Motown" until her departure from the company in 1964, at the height of her popularity. She was one of Motown's first singing superstars.
Had a total of 4 children. Cecil, Jr., Harry, & Stacy (from her marriage to Cecil D. Womack[Sr.])...and Sugar (with Curtis Womack).
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Throughout her career at Motown (1960-1964), Mary's career was forever promising, but like any other artist, much of her work was vaulted and never issued. Recently all of her 12 previously unissued recordings have surfaced. She is the only Motown artist who has had ever had all recordings issued.
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One of few singers who maintained a long-running high status in the music charts, having many hits; spanning from 1960 to 1982. Her first string of hits were at her home of Motown, starting with her own self-penned song "Bye Bye Baby", followed by "I Don't Want To Take a Chance", "The One Who Really Loves You", "Your Old Standby", "What's Easy For Two Is So Hard For One", & her #1 hit (in all categories [R&B/Pop]) "My Guy". Upon leaving Motown, she had a few hits at 20th Century-Fox "Never, Never Leave Me", "He's a Lover", "Use Your Head", "Stop Takin' Me For Granted" & "Ain't It The Truth". Then, Mary signed to Jubilee, and had hits with "The Doctor", & "Dig The Way I Feel". Her last hit was when she signed to Epic in 1981, and scored with the disco smash "Gigolo", peeking at #69 R&B, and #2 Disco.
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Her last charted song was a disco/r&b mix "Gigolo" for Epic Records. The song was made for the 1981 album "In And Out of Love". It was later released as a single in '82. The song peaked at #69 R&B, and #2 Disco.
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Issued an album in 1983 for Allegiance Records called "I'm a Lady: The Old, New & Best of Mary Wells" which had her recording many of her previous Motown hits, plus new 80s wave music. The album flopped. It was recently issued on CD as "Dance With Me".
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Her big hit was "My Guy"
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
For a Good Time, Call...
2012
performer: "Operator"
Worried About the Boy
2010
TV Movie performer: "My Guy"
Glory Road
2006
performer: "My Guy"
The Wire
2003
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Dead Presidents
1995
performer: "Once Upon A Time"
Friends
1995
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Jennifer 8
1992
performer: "Two Lovers"
The Commitments
1991
writer: "Bye Bye Baby"
Growing Pains
1988
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Hand in Hand
1985
performer: "My Guy"
Girl Groups: The Story of a Sound
1983
TV Movie documentary performer: "My Guy"
More American Graffiti
1979
performer: "My Guy"
Cooley High
1975
performer: "You Beat Me to the Punch" - uncredited
Catalina Caper
1967
performer: "Never Steal Anything Wet"
Shindig!
1964-1965
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Hollywood a Go Go
1965
TV Series performer - 1 episode
It's What's Happening, Baby!
1965
TV Special performer: "My Guy"
Nothing But a Man
1964
performer: "You Beat Me To The Punch", "Bye Bye Baby" / writer: "Bye Bye Baby"
$1 Million
