Music
Katherine Anderson
1944–2023 · singer
Inkster-raised co-founder of the Marvelettes who sang with the group through its Motown run and later mentored young Detroit singers.
- Born
Inkster, Michigan- Died
Dearborn, Michigan
aged 79- Birth name
- Katherine Elaine Anderson
- Also known as
- Katherine Anderson Schaffner
- Detroit years
- 1944–1972, later years
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Anderson grew up in a Ford-built housing project in Inkster, the daughter of a cement finisher and a nurse's aide, and sang in gospel groups and the glee club. In 1960 she and four Inkster High School classmates formed the Casinyets, short for "can't sing yet", to enter a competition; they placed fourth, but a teacher persuaded Motown to audition them. Signed as the Marvelettes, they released "Please Mr. Postman" in August 1961 and reached number one that December, followed by "Playboy", "Beechwood 4-5789" and "Don't Mess with Bill". Anderson stayed until the group wound down, co-wrote Gladys Knight & the Pips' "I Don't Want to Do Wrong", and left the business when Motown moved west in 1972. She later returned to Inkster, worked with troubled teens in Detroit, earned her high school diploma at 52 and wrote a musical about her life.
Highlights
- Co-founder of the Marvelettes (1960)
- Sang on "Please Mr. Postman" and "Don't Mess with Bill"
- Co-wrote Gladys Knight & the Pips' "I Don't Want to Do Wrong"
- Wrote the musical Now That I Can Dance 1962 (2005)
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 · 1959–1961
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.