Popular Motown Singer Wanda Young Dies Aged 78

Wanda Young, the famous American singer and member of the 1960s Motown group “The Marvelettes” died on 15th December in Garden city, Michigan. She was 78.

Her daughter Meta Ventress confirmed her death and said that she passed away because of complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Marvelettes debut single “Please Mr. Postman” released in the year 1961 in the US was a big hit and at the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart.

Legendary American singer of The Marvelettes died at 78

Motown paid tributes to the legendary singer on Twitter saying, “We are so saddened by the news of Wanda Young of the Marvelettes passing. What an impact she has had on the world of Classic Motown and the lives of so many. Her legacy will continue to live on.”

We are so saddened by the news of Wanda Young of the Marvelettes passing. What an impact she has had on the world of Classic Motown and the lives of so many. Her legacy will continue to live on ❤ https://t.co/K3Ycax2zFH

— Classic Motown (@ClassicMotown) December 17, 2021

Young was born in the year 1943 in Inkster, Michigan. Young began her career in music after she was introduced by her high school friend Gladys Horton for the audition.

She joined the group, The Marvelettes in 1961 post her successful audition. Georgia Dobbins, an original member of the group had to take care of her ill mother so she left the group that was backfilled by Young.

Dobbins who passed away last year in 2020 co-wrote the hit song “Please Mr. Postman” but she did not sing. In 1961, The Marvelettes all-female singers group signed a deal with Motown. Young provided background vocals for the group and also sang some 1960s blockbuster hits like “Beechwood 4-5789″ and “Playboy.”

In 1963, Young married The Miracles singer Bobby Rogers. After two years she became the lead singer of the group.

She delivered several hit songs like “I’ll Keep Holding On” which was at 34th place in 1965, “The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game,” topped out at 13th place in the year 1967, and “My Baby Must Be a Magician” at 17th place in the year 1968.

In 1969, Young finally left the Marvelettes group and after two years in 1971, the group was officially disbanded. After leaving the group Young wanted to give it a try at a solo in the early 1970s.

Young was addicted to alcohol and also involved with several years of substance abuse after she left the Marvelettes group. One of the reasons for being addicted to drugs and alcohol is watching her sister shot to death at the Young family’s Inkster residence. Eventually, after a few years, she left music altogether and led a private life. Her twelve years marriage ended in 1975.

In 2013, The Marvelettes group including Horton, Katherine Anderson, Juanita Cowart, Georgeanna Tillman, and Young were nominated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Young is survived by her three children, several grandchildren and a great-grandchild, and four brothers, four sisters.