Gloria Williams
Encyclopedia
Gloria Williams was an American
singer notable for being the original lead singer of an early incarnation of Martha and the Vandellas
under the name, The Del-Phis.
Born in Detroit, Michigan
in 1942, Williams auditioned for a spot in a girl group in 1957, and found herself accompanying Annette Beard
, Rosalind Ashford
and Martha Reeves
in the christened Del-Phis.
The group performed in benefits and high school parties before being signed to the Chess Records
subsidiary Checkmate (later bought by Motown Records
), where the group recorded a single, "I'll Let You Know", with Williams on lead. Once at Motown, the group during this period sung backing vocals for other acts/artists on studio recordings, such as Marvin Gaye
. Williams sung lead on an early single, "There He Is (At My Door)", on the Mel-O-Dy subsidiary of Motown after the group changed their name to The Vels. On the single's flip side, "You'll Never Cherish A Love So True", she shares the lead with Reeves (who recorded her first lead on this song).
However, when the single flopped, a frustrated Williams left the group leaving the band as a trio. The group went on to international fame with Reeves as lead singer under the name of Martha and the Vandellas.
Williams died in 2000.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer notable for being the original lead singer of an early incarnation of Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas were among the most successful groups of the Motown roster during the period 1963–1967...
under the name, The Del-Phis.
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
in 1942, Williams auditioned for a spot in a girl group in 1957, and found herself accompanying Annette Beard
Annette Beard
Annette Beard Sterling Helton is an American R&B and soul singer, most notable for being one of the original members of popular Motown singing group Martha and the Vandellas.-Early years:...
, Rosalind Ashford
Rosalind Ashford
Rosalind "Roz" Ashford-Holmes is an American soprano R&B and soul singer, famed for her work as member of the popular Motown singing group Martha and the Vandellas.-Early years:...
and Martha Reeves
Martha Reeves
Martha Rose Reeves is an American R&B and Pop singer and former politician, and was the lead singer of the Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas. During her tenure with The Vandellas, they scored over a dozen hit singles, including "Jimmy Mack", "Dancing in the Street" and "Nowhere to Run"...
in the christened Del-Phis.
The group performed in benefits and high school parties before being signed to the Chess Records
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
subsidiary Checkmate (later bought by Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
), where the group recorded a single, "I'll Let You Know", with Williams on lead. Once at Motown, the group during this period sung backing vocals for other acts/artists on studio recordings, such as Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
. Williams sung lead on an early single, "There He Is (At My Door)", on the Mel-O-Dy subsidiary of Motown after the group changed their name to The Vels. On the single's flip side, "You'll Never Cherish A Love So True", she shares the lead with Reeves (who recorded her first lead on this song).
However, when the single flopped, a frustrated Williams left the group leaving the band as a trio. The group went on to international fame with Reeves as lead singer under the name of Martha and the Vandellas.
Williams died in 2000.