The Velvelettes
| Company type | Vocal ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Founder | Bertha Barbee-McNeal, Mildred Gill Arbor |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
The Velvelettes were a female vocal ensemble from the United States affiliated with Motown during the 1960s. Their most significant chart achievement occurred in 1964 with Norman Whitfield’s production of "Needle in a Haystack," which climbed to number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 27 in Canada.
Formation and Early Development
The group was established in 1961 by Bertha Barbee-McNeal (1940–2022) and Mildred Gill Arbor, who were students at Western Michigan University. The lineup also featured Mildred’s sister Carolyn Gill as lead vocalist, along with Carolyn’s friend Betty Kelly and Bertha’s cousin Norma Barbee. Motivated by Robert Bullock, Berry Gordy’s nephew, they auditioned for Motown and secured a contract in late 1962, beginning their recording sessions at Hitsville USA in early 1963. Their initial singles, produced by William Stevenson, included harmonica performances by a young Stevie Wonder. Several of these songs were later reinterpreted by other Motown artists such as Martha and the Vandellas and The Supremes.
In the spring of 1964, The Velvelettes achieved commercial recognition with Whitfield’s "Needle in a Haystack," released on Motown’s VIP label. The subsequent single, "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'," also under Whitfield’s production, helped solidify their presence on Motown tours. In September 1964, Betty Kelly departed to join Martha and the Vandellas, leaving the group as a quartet.
Later Period and Disbandment
Despite lineup changes due to family obligations, The Velvelettes continued performing. By 1967, Gill, Norma, and Bertha Barbee-McNeal concentrated on raising their families. To support live shows, Sandra Tilley (introduced by Abdul Fakir of The Four Tops) and Annette McMillan were added to the group.
Although they had charting singles and toured extensively, an album compiling existing recordings was planned but never completed because Motown prioritized more commercially successful groups like The Supremes. This album was intended for release on Motown's V.I.P. label as V.I.P 401.
Motown issued two additional singles—"Lonely Lonely Girl Am I" and "A Bird in the Hand"—on V.I.P., but neither matched the earlier commercial impact. Recording sessions continued until September 1967, producing tracks such as "Bring Back The Sunshine," which Diana Ross later renamed "Dark Side of the World." Their last single, "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You," released on Motown's Soul label, reached number 43 on the US R&B charts. Carolyn Gill married Richard Street (who later joined The Temptations) in 1969 and discontinued her involvement with The Velvelettes at his request. Sandra Tilley eventually joined Martha Reeves and the Vandellas before retiring; she passed away in 1983.
In 1971, "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" attained number 34 on the UK Singles Chart. Despite this accomplishment, the group reunited only once in 1984 for a concert prompted by Barbee-McNeal. The Gill sisters and Barbee cousins recorded new material alongside reworked hits for One Door Closes under Motorcity Records. The ensemble remains active with touring engagements.
Many years later, Motown released The Very Best of the Velvelettes, a CD containing 15 tracks including previously unreleased material. A UK compilation called The Velvelettes: The Best Of was issued in 2001 featuring 19 tracks. In 2004, The Velvelettes: The Motown Anthology, a double album with 48 tracks, was made available.
In 2006, The Velvelettes contributed to Masters of Funk, Soul and Blues Present a Soulful Tale of Two Cities, performing "One Of a Kind Love Affair," originally by The Spinners. Other contributors included Lamont Dozier and George Clinton.
In 2007, they provided backing vocals on seven songs from Danish pop duo Junior Senior's album Hey Hey My My Yo Yo, with Bertha Barbee-McNeal delivering rap vocals on "Itch U Can't Skratch."
Bertha Barbee-McNeal, one of the founding members, passed away from colon cancer in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on December 15, 2022, at age 82.
Singles
| Year | Title and catalog number | US | US R&B | UK | CAN | AUS | Album | Label | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | "There He Goes" (IPG 45-1002) b/w "That's the Reason Why" |
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| 1964 | "Needle in a Haystack" (V.I.P. 25007) b/w "Should I Tell Them" |
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| 1965 | "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'" (V.I.P. 25013) b/w "Throw a Farewell Kiss" |
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| "Lonely, Lonely Girl am I" (V.I.P. 25017) b/w "I'm the Exception to the Rule" |
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| "A Bird in the Hand (Is Worth Two in the Bush)" (V.I.P. 25030) b/w "Since You've Been Loving Me" |
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| 1966 | "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" (S 35025) b/w "Since You've Been Loving Me'" |
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| 1987 | "Needle in a Haystack" (MARES 28) b/w "Needle in a Haystack (Instrumental)" |
rowspan="4" |One Door Closes |
rowspan="4" |Motorcity |
- |
1988 | "Running Out of Luck" (MARES 60) b/w "Running Out of Luck (Instrumental)" |
- |
1989 | "Pull My Heartstrings" (MARES 116) b/w "Pull My Heartstrings (Instrumental)" |
- |
1992 | "It Keeps Reminding Me (of Happy Memories)" (MOTC 51) b/w "That's When the Tears Start" |
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"—" indicates the single was either not released or did not chart in that market | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- The group's self-titled album was ultimately left unfinished and unreleased
- – Chart data sourced from Cashbox magazine
Albums
- 1966: The Velvelettes (planned for release on V.I.P. 401, but never completed)
- 1990: One Door Closes (MOTCLP 43)
Compilations
- 1999: The Very Best of the Velvelettes
- 2001: The Velvelettes: The Best Of
- 2004: The Velvelettes: The Motown Anthology