• The Lovettes (2)  (Chicago)
    aka The Gems (5)

     

    Personnel :

    Jessica Collins (Lead)

    Verdine Harrison

    Theresa Washburn

    Dorothy Hucklebee

    Bertha Watts

    Raynard Miner (Pianist)

     

    Discography :

    Singles :
    1962 - One More Year / The Crush (Checker 1033)
    1962 - Hands Off / A Love of Mine (Checker 1053)

    Unreleased :
    1962 - Two Lovers (Checker)

     

    Biography :

    The Gems' career began for Leonard and Phil Chess' Chess/Checker/Cadet setup as the Lovettes (no connection to the Lovettes on Carnival Records). Marshall High School students  cut two unsuccessful singles on Checker Records.  Blind pianist/writer Raynard Miner was the secret Gem, and he and Billy "Roquel" Davis, either together or in other combinations, supplied nearly all their material.

     The Lovettes (2) aka The Gems (5)    The Lovettes (2) aka The Gems (5)

                                             1964 - The Gems

    Roquel was Chess' A&R director, but despite his clout, the Gems never charted high or established a significant career. Miner accompanied them on piano, but not at all of their performances. These five beautiful girls couldn't help but wow the audience with their singing and looks; their most successful record was "I Can't Help Myself."Roquel renamed the Lovettes the Gems and switched them to Chess Records.

     

    Songs :

    (updated by Hans-Joachim)

      
    Crush / One More Year                   A Love Of Mine

     ...


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