Bertha Barbee McNeal, whose Motown group The Velvelettes had hits with“Needle in a Haystack” and “(He Was) Really Saying Something,” died Thursday in hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was 82 and had colon cancer.
McNeal and The Velvelettes hit “He Was Really Saying Something” was covered by the British group Bananarama, and The Velvelettes were cited by singer Amy Winehouse as a major influence.
“She was an angel. I’ve lost my dearest friend,” said Cal Gill Street, lead singer for The Velvelettes, to the Detroit News. “She was the group historian, and the glue that kept us together.”
In a statement, the Motown Historical Museum lauded McNeal as “a community leader and educator. … Bertha’s passion was to inspire young girls, particularly the next generation of female talent. She was a faithful supporter of the Motown Museum and participated in many museum events including Hitsville Honors in 2019 and the...
McNeal and The Velvelettes hit “He Was Really Saying Something” was covered by the British group Bananarama, and The Velvelettes were cited by singer Amy Winehouse as a major influence.
“She was an angel. I’ve lost my dearest friend,” said Cal Gill Street, lead singer for The Velvelettes, to the Detroit News. “She was the group historian, and the glue that kept us together.”
In a statement, the Motown Historical Museum lauded McNeal as “a community leader and educator. … Bertha’s passion was to inspire young girls, particularly the next generation of female talent. She was a faithful supporter of the Motown Museum and participated in many museum events including Hitsville Honors in 2019 and the...
- 12/19/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Kim Weston R&B singer Kim Weston (a.k.a. Agatha Natalie Weston) was born in Detroit, winter of 1939. As a young child, she started singing in church and by her pre-teens she began touring with gospel troupes. In the early '60s, Weston became part of the Motown soul pack and released her first single. After recording an album of duets with Marvin Gaye, Weston went on to make records for MGM and Stax/Volt. Collaborations include Johnny Nash, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves, Brenda Holloway, Mickey Stevenson, and Dozier & Holland. Honors include the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's 1998 Pioneer Award and a performance at the 2000 presidential inauguration. Rediscover this lady of song with "What Good Am I Without You," a duet with the nonpareil Marvin Gaye from their 1966 release Take Two. Buy: iTunes Genre: Soul Artist: Kim Weston Song:...
- 10/16/2009
- by Phil Ramone and Danielle Evin
- Huffington Post
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