Music
Mary Wells
1943–1992 · singer, songwriter
Detroit-born "Queen of Motown" who pitched her first song to Berry Gordy in a nightclub at 17 and topped the Hot 100 with "My Guy" in 1964.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
Los Angeles, California
aged 49- Birth name
- Mary Esther Wells
- Also known as
- Queen of Motown
- Detroit years
- 1943–1964
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Wells was born near Wayne State University and grew up poor in Black Bottom, raised by her mother, who worked as a domestic. Singing was her refuge, and at ten she sang in a Detroit Baptist church. Inspired by the hits of Detroit artists such as Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John and the Miracles, the recent Northwestern High School graduate wrote "Bye Bye Baby" with Wilson in mind and in 1960 tracked down Berry Gordy at the 20 Grand nightclub; he had her sing it on the spot and signed her to his new Motown imprint. She recorded the song at United Sound Systems, and it reached the R&B top ten. Paired with writer-producer Smokey Robinson, she scored "The One Who Really Loves You," "Two Lovers" and "You Beat Me to the Punch," Motown's first Grammy nomination. "My Guy" topped the Hot 100 in 1964, and she became the first Motown star to perform in Britain, opening for the Beatles. Days after turning 21 she left Motown in a contract dispute, a move she later regretted.
Highlights
- "My Guy" (1964) was her only Billboard Hot 100 No. 1
- "You Beat Me to the Punch" earned Motown's first Grammy nomination
- First Motown artist to perform in the UK, opening for the Beatles in 1964
- Inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 4
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.
Performed here · 1960
The 20 Grand
Demolished
Famous west-side nightclub where she pitched "Bye Bye Baby" to Berry Gordy in 1960. The club at 14th Street and West Warren was later demolished; the site is a grass lot.
Recorded here · 1960
United Sound Systems
Historic studio where she cut "Bye Bye Baby"; it also hosted the first Tamla session in 1959. Reopened in 2014 and designated a local historic district in 2015.
Recorded here · 1960–1964
Motown Museum
Motown's studio, where she recorded her hits with Smokey Robinson. Since 1985 the Motown Museum.
Studied here · late 1950s–1960
Northwestern High School
Her high school; she graduated shortly before signing with Motown. The school now operates as Detroit Collegiate Preparatory Academy at Northwestern.