The Andantes

Motown’s Premier Background Singers

If the “Funk Brothers” anchored the Motown “Sound of Young America” instrumentally then there is no doubt that the Andantes were the heart and soul providing the background vocals!

Just finished reading Vickie Wright’s “Motown From the Background – Hitsville U.S.A.”. This is a refreshing look at three young insider’s time at Motown providing background vocals for not only the great recordings but also supporting acts out on the road – often singing from backstage – hidden from the audience in order to round out the sound and provide a rendition which better approached the sound that teens were accustomed to on the 45’s!

L-R: Hicks, Barrow and Demps – Winning Smiles – Tremendous Voices!

The Andantes Beginnings

The Andantes got their start singing in a Detroit church – the Hartford Avenue Baptist Church, with sisters Emily and Edith Phillips, Marlene Barrow and Jackie Hicks.

Choir director Mildred Dobey would be the one to give the gospel quartet their name, the “Andantes” with “Andante being a musical term roughly meaning to move moderately slow in music . Mildred often would suggest various names for different combinations of singers from the larger church youth choir and so “Andantes” it was and would remain.

Funk Brothers with Stevie

Backing up a bit, it would by Louvain Demps who came to Motown first before there was an “Andantes”. She got a gig with a female Detroit group called “Bobbie Smith and the Dream Girls”, taking the place off member Tina LaGora who departed to have her baby, and who returned to resume her position in the group, at which time Louvain turned her full attention to singing at Motown.

The Raybers and Others

Louvain would participate as a member of Motown’s first group of background singers, the “Rayber Voices”. Members included Raynoma Gordy (wife of Berry Gordy jr0, Brian Holland, Sonny Sanders, Robert Bateman, Vernon Williams (all three of the Satintones), Sonny Sanders and Eugene Remus. (The name “Rayber” was a contraction of Raynoma and Berry).

Rayber Voices

Motown would also employ the services of other background combos including the “Voice Masters” and the “Love-Tones”.

It was not uncommon to mix and match members of all the background groups sometimes inserting some of the Motown mainstream singers as well – much depending upon who was available for any given recording session.

The Love-Tones

The Andantes would first visit Motown at the invitation of their good friend Richard “Popcorn” Wylie who they had attended high school with. He had an audition scheduled at Motown before the “Hitsville” studio was established. Another class-mate was James Jamerson who would go on to become the great “Funk Brothers” bassist.

During that audition, Jackie, Marlene and Emily (Edith did not accompany them) would sing along with Richard on his tryout and were invited to return for an audition of their own.

Richard “Popcorn” Wylie

Jackie and Marlene passed their audition, this time without Emily, and in short order Motown would pair them up with Louvain to form the long-running Andante trio of background singers!

Eventually the Rayber Voices began giving way to the new girls on the block, the Andantes, each pursuing their own separate careers. Raynoma turned her attention to the business side of Motown for the most part and Brian Holland would go onto great things composing with his brother Eddie Holland along with Lamont Dozier.

Return to Hitsville

Remaining in the “Background”

The Andantes entered into their biography with a clear intention of keeping their musical journey tale as positive as possible. But as the book progresses it is clear that some feelings linger regarding their status with Motown.

The trio was kept firmly in check as a ‘back-up’ group and requests to record as a Motown act were mostly ignored. They were paid small set fees for sessions and never obtained any contract to provide any royalties. They were discouraged from recording for other labels – even though nothing legally bound them not to.

Berry Gordy Jr. Running a Tight Ship

They were seldom seen on a stage supporting any Motown star. An exception was when Kim Weston demanded that they accompanying her for an appearance. When they did support on-stage acts, they were usually positioned backstage – behind the curtain with microphones.

The Andantes & Motown Part Ways

The Andantes were very fond of the Motown stars and from the testimonials in the book, they were very much cherished and appreciated nearly universally. The one exception mentioned in the book was at times, a few of the Motown ‘girl groups’ seemed to resent the presence of the Andantes vocals as mixed into the final song releases – often realizing that the Andantes voices were prominent over the lead voices.

We all know that Motown would eventually depart the city of Detroit, seeking out the greener pastures of Hollywood land. The musicians at Motown had been hearing the rumors in the early 1970s that Motown could be pulling up stakes and making the move but management generally denied the rumors.

Motown’s New Digs: Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles

In their biography the ladies relate that one day Jackie and Marlene went in to Motown to collect their paycheck but no checks! When they returned home and informed Louvain, she did a bee line to the office to get a straight forward answer to whether Motown was moving and to demand their checks.

The rumor was verified and Louvain forced the pay clerk to immediately take her to the bank to obtain all three checks. The end was very near. Louvain would depart Detroit moving to Atlanta, Georgia where she worked with children with disabilities.

While in Atlanta, Louvain worked many jobs, even recorded several commercial jingles. Fortunately she landed a job as a nanny with a wonderful Atlanta family and counted it as her favorite job after Motown.

Jackie took a position in the Detroit Water and Sewage Department. Marlene was hired by the Michigan Department of Labor.

Big Plans – But Little Revenue

The three would take another shot at recording singing in 1990 for Motorcity Records which was headed up by a British entrepreneur Ian Levine. The label was able to release several long plays before closing it’s doors, and in the process placed a bunch of Andante recordings for fans to enjoy! The sad news is that according to the book, Levine failed to deliver much in the way of revenue to the former Motown artists who participated.

But fortunately, the world now has at hand many fine recordings from the Andantes.

Recognition

Since those long ago Motown days, the Andantes have been recognized with:

• The Women of Motown Award
• The Distinguished Achievement Award
• The Detroit Music Award 2006
• Heroes and Legends Award 2005

But “Motown From the Background” is a very entertaining read. Louvainn, Marlene and Jackie certainly had their challenges and disappointments but they all landed on their feet and in the long run their fine character prevailed.

Throughout the book friends, relatives and many Motown musicians interject their own memories of knowing and working with the Andantes. The photos in the book from their personal collections, are great! Fun insider stuff here with this great trip back in time.

Andantes & Related Discography

The Andantes, of course, provided background vocals on 100’s of Motown releases – These are chosen due to having received a label credit of sorts. Also I am listing some of the recordings where the Andantes backed musicians on other record labels.

I am also including many/most of the Motown singles backed by the Andantes which reached to top spot on the nation’s charts.

45 – The Distants (backing by the Andantes) – Come On – March, 1960

The Distants

45 – The Rayber Voices (with Louvain Demps) – I’m Gonna Cry (If You Quit Me) b/w Whirlwind – August, 1960

45 – The Distants (backing by the Andantes) – All Right – August, 1960

45 – Billy Kent and the Andantes – Take All Of Me b/w Your Love – September, 1960

45 – Bobbie Smith and the Dream Girls (w/Louvain Demps) – Wanted b/w Mr. Fine – November, 1961

45 – Bobbie Smith and the Dream Girls (w/Louvain Demps) – The Duchess of Earl b/w Mine All Mine – February, 1962

45 – Marv Johnson (backing by the Adantes – He Gave Me You – April, 1962

45 – Amos Milburn with the Andantes – My Baby Gave Me Another Chance b/w I’ll Make It Up To You Somehow – February, 1963

45 – The Andantes with Mary Wells – Laughing Boy – Number 6 R&B – Number 15 Hot 100 b/w Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right – February, 1963

45 – Betty Everett (backing by the Andantes) – Prince of Players – April, 1963

45 – The Darnells – Too Hurt To Cry, Too Much In Love To Say Goodbye b/w Come On Home – October, 1963

(This was the Andantes along with members of the Marvelettes)

LP – John Lee Hooker (backing by the Andantes) – The Big Soul of John Lee Hooker – 1963

45 – The Andantes – (Like A) Nightmare b/w If You Were Mine – March, 1964

45 – Mary Wells (backing by the Andantes) – My Guy – Number 1 R&B – Number 1 Hot 100 – April, 1964

45 – The Supremes (backing by the Andantes) – Stop In the Name of Love – Number 1 Hot 100 – Number 2 R&B – February, 1965

45 – Marvin Gaye – I’ll Be Doggone – Number 1 R&B – Number 8 Hot 100 – March, 1965

45 – The Four Tops (backing by the Andantes) – I Can’t Help Myself – Number 1 R&B – Number 1 Hot 100 – May, 1965

45 – Edwin Starr (backing by the Andantes) – Agent Double-O-Soul – Number 8 R&B – Number 21 Hot 100 – June, 1965

45 – Marvin Gaye (backing by the Andantes) – Ain’t That Peculiar – Number 1 R&B – Number 8 Hot 100 – October, 1965

45 – Stevie Wonder (backing by the Andantes) – Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Number 1 R&B for 5 Weeks – Number 3 Hot 100 – January, 1966

45 – Laura Lee (backing by the Andantes) – To Win Your Heart – January, 1966

45 – The Temptations (backing by the Andantes) – Get Ready – Number 1 R&B – Number 29 Hot 100 – March, 1966

45 – The Four Tops (backing by the Andantes) – Reach Out I’ll Be There – Number 1 R&B – Number 1 Hot 100 – August, 1966

45 – Jackie Wilson (backing by the Andantes) – Whispers (Gettin’ Louder) – Number 5 R&B – Number 11 Hot 100 – October, 1966

45 – Martha & the Vandellas (backing by the Andantes) – Jimmy Mack – Number 1 R&B – Number 10 Hot 100 – March, 1967

45 – Stevie Wonder (backing by the Andantes) – I Was Made To Love Her – Number 1 R&B for 4 Weeks – Number 2 Hot 100 – June, 1967

45 – Jackie Wilson (backing by the Andantes) – (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher – Number 1 R&B – Number 6 Hot 100 – August, 1967

45 – Stevie Wonder (backing by the Andantes) – Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day – Number 1 R&B – Number 9 Hot 100 – April, 1968

45 – Jackie Wilson (backing by the Andantes) – I Get The Sweetest Feeling – Number 12 R&B – Number 34 Hot 100 – July, 1968

45 – The Supremes (backing by the Andantes) – Love Child – Number 1 Hot 100 – Number 2 R&B – October, 1968

45 – Marvin Gaye (backing by the Andantes) – I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Number 1 R&B – Number 1 Hot 100 – Seven Weeks at Number 1 both charts – November, 1968

45 – Marvin Gaye (backing by the Andantes) – Too Busy Thinking About My Baby – Number 1 R&B for 6 Weeks – Number 4 Hot 100 – May, 1969

45 – Diana Ross (backing by the Andantes – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Number 1 R&B – Number 1 Hot 100 – August, 1970

12-Inch Single – The Andantes – Lightning Never Strikes Twice – 1989

(The original Andantes were joined by Pat Lewis on this single – She was also a member of “Hot, Buttered and Soul” as well as “The Adorables” and “The Group”.)

12-Inch Single – Motorcity Records 6 UK – “The Motorcity All-Stars – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” – with the Andantes on background vocals – 1989

LP – Motorcity Records 2 UK – “The Motor-City Sound 2” with “Two Sides Of Love” by the Andantes – 1990

LP – Motorcity Records 22 UK – “Girl Groups of the Motorcity – with “Lightning Never Strikes Twice” by the Andantes – 1990

LP – Motorcity Records 23 UK – “20 Great Chartbusters Volume 2” with “My World Is Empty Without You” by the Andantes – 1990

LP – Motorcity Records 29 UK – Kim Weston “Investigate” with backing vocals by the Andantes – 1990

CD LP – Motorcity Records 32 UK – “Motorcity Footstompers” with “Like A Nightmare” by the Andantes – 1990

CD LP – Motorcity Records 34 UK – “Motorcity Fingersnappers” with “Girls Are Out To Get You” by the Andantes – 1990

12-Inch Single – Motorcity Records 35 UK – Ronnie McNeir “Keep On Giving Me Love” with backing vocals by the Andantes – 1990

LP – Motorcity Records 38 UK – The Marvelettes “Now” with backing vocals by the Andantes – 1990

LP – Motorcity Records 39 UK – Martha Reeves & G.C. Cameron – “You’re All I Need To Get By” with the Andantes on backing vocals – 1990

LP – Motorcity Records 40 UK – Mary Wells “Keeping My Mind On Love” with backing vocals by the Andantes – 1990

LP – Motorcity Records 41 UK – The Andantes & Others Motorcity Beach Music – with “Throw Love Away” by the Andantes – 1990

LP – Motorcity Records 44 UK – Frances Nero “Out On the Floor” with backing vocals by the Andantes – 1990

CD LP – Down Town 203 Europe – “That Driving Beat – Vol. 21” with “Like A Nightmare” by the Andantes – 1990

CD LP – Motorcity Records 55 UK – “Motorcity Magic” with “Hurricane” by the Andantes – 1991

CD LP – Motorcity Records 65 UK – Pat Lewis “Separation” with backing vocals by the Andantes – 1991

CD LP – Motorcity Records 69 – J.J. Barnes “Try It One More Time” with backing vocals by the Andantes – 1991

CD LP – Motorcity Records 71 UK – Frances Nero “Footsteps Following Me” with backing vocals by the Andantes – 1991

LP – Motorcity Records 44 UK – “Beans Bowles & the Swinging Tyers” with backing vocals by the Andantes on “Motorcity Magic” – 1992

CD LP – Motorcity Records 83 UK – “Motorcity A-Go-Go” with “Two Sides Of Love” by the Andantes – 1992

CD LP – Motorcity Records D6 UK – “The Motor-City Sound of Detroit – Volume 6” with “Girls Are Out To Get You” by the Andantes – 1992

CD LP – Motorcity Records 7703 U.S. – “The Best of Motorcity Vol. 3. – with “All Around the Motorcity” by the Andantes – 1994

CD LP – Hippo 2001 U.S. – “Shake Me, Wake Me – A Tribute To Holland-Dozier-Holland” with “My World Is Empty Without You” by the Andantes – 1994

CD LP – Hallmark Records 390242 UK – “The Sound Of Motorcity” – with “Girls Are Out To Get You” by the Andantes – 1995

CD LP – Motorcity Records 7707 U.S. – “The Best of Motorcity Volume 7” – with “The Boss” by the Andantes – December, 1995

CD LP – Motorcity Records 7716 U.S. – “The Best of Motorcity Volume 8” with “Last Dance” by the Andantes – August, 1996

CD LP – Motorcity Records 7719 U.S. – “The Best of Motorcity Volume 11” – with “Will You Always Be There” by the Andantes – August, 1996

CD LP – Motorcity Records 7741 UK – “A Tribute To Ashford & Simpson” – with “The Boss” by the Andantes – September, 1996

CD LP – Castle Communications 449 UK – “Sweet City Soul Volume Two: 80 Soul Faves” – with “All Around The Motorcity” by the Andantes – 1996

CD LP – Motorcity Records 7746 U.S. – “The Best of Motorcity Volume 13” – with “Step Into My Shoes” by the Andantes – December, 1997

CD LP – Motorcity Records 7752 U.S. – “The Best Of Motorcity Volume 19” with “Throw Love Away” by the Andantes – December, 1997

CL LP – Motorcity Records 7753 U.S. – “The Best of Motorcity Volume 20” – with “Six by Six” with Andantes backing Earl Van Dyke – December, 1997

CD LP – Hallmark Records 309462 UK – “Detroit Dance Masters” with “My World Is Empty Without You” by the Andantes – 1998

LP – Goldmine Soul Supply 152 UK – “You Didn’t Say A Word (New Northern Soul For a New Millenium)” – with “Promises To Keep” by the Andantes – 2000

CD LP Set – Bestway Records 1 UK – “Motorcity Dance Party” – with “Little Darlin’ (I Need You) – 2001

CD LP – Digimode Entertainment 30077 UK – “Sound Of Detroit” with “All Around the Motorcity” by the Andantes – 2002

CD LP – Weton-Wesgram 571 UK – “100 Car Classics” with “All Around the Motorcity” by the Andantes – 2006

CD LP – Dynamic 2201 UK – “Dance On” with “The Boss” by the Andantes – 2005

LP – Vanilla OMP – The Andantes – “If You Really Love Me – The Best of the Andantes” – November, 2012