The Velvelettes

These Things Will Keep Me Loving You

b/w Same

Soul Records 55025

1966

White Label Promo

Northern Soul

The Velvelettes were founded in 1961 by sisters Carolyn Gill and Millie Gill with cousins Bertha Barbee-McNeal and Norma Barbee on the Western Michigan University campus, where they were students. Carolyn's friend, Betty Kelley, was also an original member. They got their start playing fraternity and sorority parties as well as small clubs before signing to IPG Records, a local imprint where they recorded their first single, "There He Goes." While the song only received local radio attention, it helped the group be discovered by a Motown talent scout.

The group signed to Motown Records immediately, but weren't given top priority, as other female vocal groups were attracting audiences and recording hits. While the group awaited their chance at stardom, they recorded backing vocals for the groups that were launching, including The Marvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas, and The Supremes. Finally, The Velvelettes got into the studio, recording "Needle in a Haystack" in 1964, produced by Norman Whitfield. As "Needle in the Haystack" struggled up the charts, they recorded its follow-up, "He Was Really Sayin' Something," and spent time on various Motown-sponsored tours as an opening act.

With a song on the charts and a place on several concert tours, The Velvelettes began recording a full-length album. Despite impending success, the group started having disagreements about the music they were recording. Half of the group wanted to record more mature songs and thought the material was trite, while the other half didn't want to rock the boat so early in their career. Motown became apprehensive about the group's potential and wary from the expense of the recordings. Not wanting to let good time and money go to waste, the label released two additional singles, "Lonely Lonely Girl Am I" and "A Bird in the Hand," as the group endured several line-up changes. Both singles flopped, and Motown cancelled the scheduled release of the group's self-titled first album. The group returned to recording backing vocals, and occasionally was able to record new material. The last Velvelette recordings included "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You," which became their last American single. It flopped, and the group gradually split apart. Betty, an original Velvelette and Sandra Tilley, a newer member of the group, transferred to Martha and the Vandellas, replacing older members of that group. The Velvelettes officially broke up in 1969.

In 1971 "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" became a hit in Great Britain, peaking at #34 on the British singles chart. Despite the new success, the group didn't reunite until 1984, when the Gill sisters and Barbee cousins re-recorded their original hits with some new songs for the album One Door Closes. The group continues to tour today.

Condition: NM (one small scuff on one side)

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