Mary Wells was an American singer known for her hits like “My Guy,” “You Beat Me to the Punch,” and “Two Lovers.” Born on May 13, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, she rose to fame as one of the first stars of Motown Records during the 1960s.
Personal and Family Life
Mary Wells faced significant challenges in her early life, including a battle with spinal meningitis that caused temporary paralysis, hearing loss, and partial blindness in one eye. Despite these hardships, she began singing in local clubs by the age of ten. She married twice, first to Herman Griffin and then to Cecil D. Womack, with whom she had three children. Later in life, she faced financial struggles due to her health issues.
Career Success
Wells started her professional career when she wrote the song “Bye Bye Baby,” which led to her signing with Motown. With the help of producer Smokey Robinson, she released a series of hit songs, including her most famous, “My Guy,” which reached #1 on the pop charts. After departing from Motown in 1964, she explored other record labels but did not achieve the same level of success. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she toured extensively to maintain her career.
Death and Legacy
Mary Wells was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in 1990, which severely affected her ability to sing. Despite receiving help from friends in the music industry, her finances suffered due to medical expenses. She passed away from pneumonia on July 26, 1992, at the age of 48 and was buried in Glendale, California. Wells remains a respected figure in music history as one of the earliest Motown stars.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever | 1983-05-16 | Self |
| Soul Divas | 2007-12-15 | Self |
| Shindig! | 1964-09-16 | Self – Singer |
| Hullabaloo | 1965-01-12 | Self |