The Andantes

Jacqueline Hicks, Louvain Demps,Marlene Barrow

The Andantes (Detroit, Mi.)
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

Personnel :

Jackie Hicks  (First Alto)

Marlene Barrow (Second Alto)

Louvain Demps  (Soprano)

Discography :

The Andantes
1964 - (Like A) Nightmare / If You Were Mine (V.I.P. 25006)

LaBrenda Ben & The Andantes
1963 - Just Be Yourself / I Can't Help It, I Gotta Dance (Gordy 7021)

Billy Kent & The Andantes
1962 - Take All Of Me / Your Love (Mah's 002)

Mary Wells (Vocal Accompaniment Andantes, Love-Tones)
1963 - Laughing Boy (Motown 1039)

Biography :

The Andantes were a prolific female sessions group for the Motown record label during the 1960s. Composed of Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps, 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, Marvin Gaye, LaBrenda Ben, among others, along with the occasional non-Motown recording (Jackie Wilson's hit "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" being one example). Barrow also substituted for Florence Ballard of The Supremes in concert on several occasions.

( The Andantes with Kim Weston) Jackie Hicks, Kim Weston, Louvain Demps, Marlene Barrow

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. They were credited alongside the male Love-Tones on “Laughing Boy” by Mary Wells. 

Marlene Barrow, Louvain Demps, Jackie Hicks

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; the producers had this done without the Marvelettes' knowledge.

      Labrenda Ben                                                                      Jackie Hicks and Marlene Barrow (Andantes)

The final Marvelettes album, The Return of The Marvelettes, was actually recorded by Marvelette Wanda Young with the Andantes, not her groupmates, on backgrounds. Outside of Motown, the trio also backed Jackie Wilson on “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher.” Pat Lewis substituted for Louvain Demps on this track.

Marvin Gaye, Kim Weston  - In the background are The Andantes

The group broke up in 1973 with each of the members going on to do studio and demo work. On February 23, 2015, Marlene Barrow-Tate died, at the age of 73.

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/03/09/the-andantes-motowns-secret-weapon
http://metrotimes.com/music/music-features/girl-groups-the-grit-the-glamour-the-glory-1.1443481
http://www.laprensatoledo.com/Stories/2013/041213/motown.htm
http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-andantes-mn0000036300
http://history-of-rock.com/andantes.htm
https://books.google.de

 Video:

The Andantes Story on the Soul Facts Show
 

Songs :

The Andantes

  
If You Were Mine                           (Like A) Nightmare


Billy Kent & The Andantes

   
Take All Of Me                                     Your Love

LaBrenda Ben & The Andantes

   
Just Be Yourself                      I Can't Help It, I Gotta Dance

Mary Wells (Vocal Accompaniment Andantes, Love-Tones)

Laughing Boy

.....