Bertha Barbee McNeal, co-founder of the singing girl group The Velvelettes, died of colon cancer on December 15 at the age of 82. She was in hospital at the time of her death. The announcement came five months after the group’s performance at Arcadia Creek. Another member of the group, Carolyn Gill, paid tribute to Bertha by saying:
“I’ve never heard her say obscene things or speak ill of anyone, even when she’s not happy. She will rise above that, like an angel on Earth. She is the glue that holds the group together and protects us from suffocation.”
Bertha Barbee McNeal’s medical history is unclear, so no further information is available regarding her cancer. Details of her funeral will be announced later.
Bertha Barbee McNeal dies aged 82 https://t.co/mQtkJ5GhJU
– Celebrities on Daily Mail (@DailyMailCeleb) December 19, 2022
Velvelettes was created in 1961 by Bertha Barbee McNeal.
Bertha Barbee McNeal grew up in Flint, Michigan and comes from a musical family, according to the limited information known about her early life. Bertha, Annette McMillan, Sandra Tilley and Betty Kelly were the original members of The Velvelettes, which she founded in 1961. The following year, they signed up with Motown Records and released many songs. They were finally recognized with the single Needle in the Haystack. The song topped the Billboard charts and the band continued on their prosperous path until Betty’s departure after just three years. The members went through various changes over the next few years, and the original three members chose to take a brief hiatus midway.
Although they had begun producing an album, it was halted due to the success of other bands. Although not as economically successful as their previous efforts, the trio continued to produce additional singles. During their remarkable existence, the group released only one album, One Door Closes, in 1990. The CD consisted of a mix of new and classical music. In 1966, an album of the same name was released, however, it was never published.
Between 1999 and 2004, they released three compilation albums: The Very Best of the Velvelettes, The Velvelettes: The Best Of and The Velvelettes: The Motown Anthology. Between 1963 and 1992, Velvelettes released 10 singles, including There He Goes, Needle in a Haystack, A Bird in the Hand, Running Out of Lick, It Keeps Reminding Me, and others. They are best known for their 1964 hit, He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin’. It peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart. Bananarama, Buffalo G and Shakespeare Sister have released versions of the song.
The Velvelettes gained widespread recognition thanks to their 1966 hit, These Things Will Keep Me Loving You, which topped the US Billboard Hot 100, Billboard US Billboard R&B Singles and UK Singles Chart. Carolyn Gill, Mildred Gill and Norma Barbee are the current members of the group. Bertha Barbee McNeal’s two children, Marty and Melva, are among her survivors.
Categories: Biography
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
