The Andantes

The Andantes
Also known as The Darnells
Origin Detroit, Michigan, United States
Genres Pop, R&B, soul, psychedelic soul, doo-wop, disco
Years active 1958-1973; 1989-1992
Labels Motown, Motorcity Records
Associated acts Martha and the Vandellas, Four Tops, the Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells, the Supremes
Past members Jackie Hicks (1958-1973; 1989-1992)
Marlene Barrow (1958-1973; 1989-1992)
Louvain Demps (1961-1973; 1989-1992)
Emily Phillips (1958-1961)
Pat Lewis (1989-1992)

The Andantes were an American female session group for the Motown record label during the 1960s. Composed of Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps,[1] the group sang background vocals on numerous Motown recordings, including songs by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, Jimmy Ruffin, Edwin Starr, the Supremes, the Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye, among others. Barrow also substituted for Florence Ballard of the Supremes in concert on several occasions.

The Andantes provided back-up singing on Motown singles starting in 1962. The group was most prominently used on all of the Four Tops' Holland–Dozier–Holland-produced hits, including "Baby I Need Your Loving", "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)", "Reach Out I'll Be There", and more. The Andantes were used as vocal substitutes for Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong on many of the Supremes' recordings done in 1968 and 1969. They were also called upon to overdub and smooth out the Marvelettes' background vocals records beginning in 1965.

In 1963, the Andantes, with the Marvelettes released the single "Too Hurt to Cry, Too Much in Love to Say Goodbye" b/w "Come on Home" as credited to the Darnells. In 1964 they released a single of their own called "(Like A) Nightmare" b/w "If You Were Mine", though none of the actual Andantes sang lead on either track (future Marvelette Ann Bogan performed the lead vocals).

The Andantes are also featured on some records that were not produced by Motown Records, the most prominent example being Jackie Wilson's "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" (Pat Lewis substitutes for Louvain Demps on this track).

On February 23, 2015, Marlene Barrow-Tate died, at the age of 73.[2]

Motown

Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, the Andantes appeared as backing vocalists on many of Motown's recorded singles, as the Funk Brothers also had when providing instrumentation. Five of these singles that they provided background vocals for would go on to chart at the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 popular music chart.

Chart-topping hits

Brenda Holloway

The Andantes appeared on many singles for Brenda Holloway. These include:

The Four Tops

The Andantes appeared as backing vocalists on 14 singles for the Four Tops. These releases include:

Diana Ross & the Supremes

They appeared as backing vocalists on seven singles for Diana Ross & the Supremes. These releases include:

Martha & the Vandellas

They appeared as backing vocalists on ten singles for Martha & the Vandellas. These releases include:

The Marvelettes

They appeared as backing vocalists on 14 singles for the Marvelettes. These releases include:

The Temptations

They appeared as backing vocalists on five recordings for the Temptations.

Marvin Gaye

They appeared as backing vocalists on (at least) 15 singles for Marvin Gaye. These releases include:

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

They also appeared as backing vocalists on these following recordings and singles for Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell:

Motorcity Records

As part of the Ian Levine's Motorcity Records project in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Andantes were signed to the label and once again provided a service in recording backing vocals to former Motown artists. By this time, Pat Lewis had joined Jackie Hicks, Barrow and Demps (from 1989–1992).

Levine also recorded several songs with the Andantes, issuing a new single "Lightning Never Strikes Twice", which featured Demps on lead vocals. Most other songs recorded by the group at Motorcity had Lewis on lead vocals.

Motorcity recordings

Original Recordings

Cover Versions

Unreleased Tracks

Louvain Demps - Better Times

Whilst under contract to Motorcity Records, Louvain was given the opportunity to step up to the microphone and record a full album, which was released in 1992 under the title 'Better Times', which includes original tunes and one cover of the Diana Ross hit "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)".

Louvain recorded two further tracks with Motorcity which did not appear on the above album:

Pat Lewis

Ian Levine has cited that he has recorded more songs with Pat Lewis than with any other artist. Several songs recorded by Pat whilst with Motorcity Records are:

Cover Versions

Original Recordings

References

  1. ↑ Wright, Vickie (October 25, 2007). Motown - From the Background. Bank House Books. ISBN 978-1904408291.
  2. ↑ Doc Rock. "January to June 2015". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  3. ↑ Clemente, John (1 February 2013). Girl Groups - Fabulous Females That Rocked The World. Bloomington, Indiana: Krause Publications. p. 623. ISBN 978-0873418164.

External links


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