Music / Religion
Mable John
1930–2022 · blues singer
Detroit-raised blues singer, sister of Little Willie John, and the first woman Berry Gordy signed to Tamla; later a Stax hitmaker and Raelette.
- Born
Bastrop, Louisiana- Died
Los Angeles, California
aged 91- Detroit years
- 1941–early 1960s
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Mable John's family moved to Detroit in 1941. She attended Pershing High School and then sold policies for Friendship Mutual, the insurance company co-founded by Berry Gordy's mother, Bertha, who told her that her son was writing songs and needed singers. Gordy coached her and accompanied her on piano at local engagements, and in 1959 she sang at the Flame Show Bar on John R Street on the bill of Billie Holiday's last Detroit show. She became the first female artist signed to Tamla, releasing blues singles such as "Who Wouldn't Love a Man Like That?" (1960), with the young Supremes and Vandellas singing behind her. When Motown turned toward teen pop she left, joined Ray Charles's Raelettes, and in 1966 reached the R&B Top 10 on Stax with "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)". She later became a minister in Los Angeles.
Highlights
- First female solo artist signed to Tamla
- "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)" (1966, Stax): R&B No. 6
- Longtime member of Ray Charles's Raelettes
- Acted in Honeydripper (2007); featured in 20 Feet from Stardom
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 · 1940s
Pershing High School
She attended Pershing High School after the family moved to Detroit.
Performed here · 1959
Flame Show Bar
Demolished · 1949–1963
She sang on the bill of Billie Holiday's last Detroit show here. Demolished in 1965.
Recorded here · 1959–early 1960s
Motown Museum
She recorded her Tamla blues singles here.