Bertha Barbee McNeal, co-founder of girl group The Velvelettes, died on December 15 from colon cancer at the age of 82. She was in hospital at the time of her death. The announcement came five months after the group’s performance at Arcadia Creek. Another member of the group, Carolyn Gill, paid tribute to Bertha by saying:
“I have never heard her swear or speak ill of anyone, even when she is unhappy. She will rise above it, like an angel on Earth. She’s the glue that holds the group together and keeps us from suffocating.”
Bertha Barbee McNeal’s medical history is unclear, so no further information is available about her cancer. Details of her funeral will be announced soon.
Bertha Barbee McNeal dies aged 82 https://t.co/mQtkJ5GhJU
– Celebrities on Daily Mail (@DailyMailCeleb) December 19, 2022
Velvelettes was created in 1961 by Bertha Barbee McNeal.
Bertha Barbee McNeal grew up in Flint, Michigan and comes from a musical family, according to the limited information known about her early life. Bertha, Annette McMillan, Sandra Tilley and Betty Kelly were the original members of the group The Velvelettes she founded in 1961. The following year, they signed to Motown Records and released many songs. They were finally recognized with the single Needle in the Haystack. The song topped the Billboard charts and the band continued on their successful path until Betty left after just three years. The members went through various changes over the next few years, with the first three deciding to take a short break in between.
Although they began production on the album, it was halted due to the success of other bands. Although not as financially successful as their previous efforts, the trio continued to produce more singles. During their remarkable existence, the group released only one album, One Door Closes, in 1990. The CD consisted of a mix of new and classical music. An album of the same name was scheduled for release in 1966, but it was never released.
Between 1999 and 2004, they released three compilation albums: The Very Best of the Velvelettes, The Velvelettes: The Best Of and The Velvelettes: The Motown Anthology. Between 1963 and 1992, Velvelettes released 10 singles, including There He Goes, Needle in a Haystack, A Bird in the Hand, Running Out of Lick, It Keeps Reminding Me, and others. They are best known for their 1964 hit He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin’. It peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on the Billboard R&B singles chart. Bananarama, Buffalo G and Shakespeare Sister released covers of the song.
The Velvelettes are best known for their 1966 hit, These Things Will Keep Me Loving You, which topped the US Billboard Hot 100, US Billboard R&B Singles Chart and US Singles Chart UK. Carolyn Gill, Mildred Gill and Norma Barbee are the current members of the group. Bertha Barbee McNeal’s two children, Marty and Melva, were among the survivors.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: newstars.edu.vn