Mable John, the famous blues singer, passed away on August 25. The news was announced by her grandson Kevin John, who said she was much loved and a lovely person. She was 91 years old. Mable’s cause of death was not disclosed at the time, but it is possible that she died from age-related health problems. Her funeral is yet to be made public.
Mable John Career in the music industry
Mable John, born November 3, 1930, moved to Arkansas with her family after her father took a job at a paper mill in Cullendale. In 1941, the family moved to Detroit, where John attended Cleveland International School and Pershing High School. After graduating, she began working as an insurance salesman at the Friendship Mutual Insurance Agency, owned by Bertha, Berry Gordy’s mother. She then quit her job and entered the Lewis College of Business. Mrs. Gordy approached her again, telling her that her son was composing songs and looking for artists to record them.
John studied with Gordy until 1959, and she appeared at the Flame Show bar on John R Street. She then began recording for Gordy, and although signed to United Artists, she did not release anything on their label. Her debut song, Who wouldn’t love a man like that?, was released in 1960 by Gordy’s Tamla label. There is no love and action is stronger than the words that follow. Mable is the first female solo artist signed by Motown Records founder Berry Gordy. However, Mable was not able to become a major musical artist at the time because Motown was famous for artists like Miracles and Marvelettes. She worked as a vocalist until her contract was terminated in 1962.
In 1966, she joined Stax Records, and her single, Your Good Thing (Is About to End), was released the following year. It peaked at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the R&B chart. This was followed by six additional singles, none of which were as successful as the first. She left Stax Records in 1968 and spent several years with the Raelettes.
Mable John then began leading Christian gospel groups before returning to the studio as a performer. In 1986, she founded the nonprofit Joy Community Outreach in Los Angeles, and in 1991 she recorded a song called Time Stops for Motorcity Records. The Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles awarded John with a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1993. In 2006, Mable and David Ritz collaborated on a book called Sanctified Blues. She played Bertha Mae in the 2007 musical film Honeydripper and the 2013 documentary 20 Feet From the Stars.
Twitter users pay tribute to Mable John
Although largely out of the music business after the 1990s, Mable John has remained an iconic figure for her hit songs over the years. As news of her death spread, Twitter was flooded with tributes:
RIP Mable John, 91. A wonderful person and a great singer, soulful from head to toe.
– Richard Williams (@rwilliams1947) August 28, 2022
Get in touch with Dr. Mable John who matters when it comes to Motown
— pat313 (@Pat313_) August 26, 2022
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: vcmp.edu.vn