Original Mary Jane Girls’ Maxi and Cheri fight to keep Rick James’ legacy and his vision of the Mary Jane Girls Alive as MJG.

Original Mary Jane Girls, Cheri and Maxi (middle) with new recruits GiGi (left) and Niki (right).

When you think of Funk music, one of the first names that come to mind is Punk-Funk pioneer Rick James. When you think of female funk, one of the groups at the top of the list is James’ foxy foursome known as the Mary Jane Girls.

In 1983, Rick James introduced an eclectic group of four young ladies to the world at large, Kim “Maxi” Bond (the leather queen), Cheri Wells (the valley girl), JoAnne “JoJo” McDuffie (the funky around the way girl) and Candice “Candi” Ghant (the vamp).The group was an instant smash on radio and MTV with songs and videos for “Candy Man” and “Boys” and became legendary with one of the most sampled and covered songs in recent memory, “All Night Long.” They hit the big time in 1985 with the Top 10 Pop hit, “In My House” with new recruit, Yvette “Corvette” Marine replacing Cheri Wells. By 1986, the Mary Jane Girls’ reign was over due to Rick James’ increasing drug use and constant battles between James and their record company, Motown.

“We could never find success separately.” says Cheri Wells. “The group wasn’t designed for that. Rick created us to only be successful together and with him. That is why none of the Mary Jane Girls have ever found success to date in the music biz as individuals.”

“We want to bring back Rick’s original vision of the Mary Jane Girls.” Maxi Bond said. “I am so tired of our legacy being depreciated by watered down versions of the group. None of the real group members can even perform as the Mary Jane Girls thanks to Rick’s estate, so we all have to go out under various names and that’s just sad.”

I asked Cheri about the other members, JoJo, Corvette and Candi. “We have reached out to all of them. They have their own reasons for not wanting to continue as MJG’s, but Maxi and myself have extended the olive branch to all of our girls. We love them all! Who knows? Maybe one day the other girls will fall in. But for now, we have a great line up with GiGi and Niki.”

So, what does the future hold for Maxi and Cheri? “We are performing under the name MJG starring Maxi and Cheri of the Mary Jane Girls for now.” Maxi says. “MJG, of course stands for Mary Jane Girls. We have two great new girls standing in for the missing members. One thing I can say is that we do our show the way Rick envisioned. We wear the costumes; we do the choreography and perform all of the hits. We give our fans a show that Rick would be proud of… and that’s what’s most important to me. With Rick gone and Teena Marie passing on, The Mary Jane Girls and Stone City Band are all that is left of Rick’s dynasty. We will also be doing shows with Stone City too. If you hear about MJG coming to your town, you know it’s the real deal. Go to our website www.themaryjanegirls.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/maryjanegirls.”

These two women are still beautiful and vibrant and I was taken back to my days as a teenager with Mary Jane Girls posters all over my bedroom walls. I know that I speak for many music lovers and fans when I say, “I pray that these ladies are successful!” They are the real deal.”

Story by John Jameson Jr.

Although it's sad that JoJo (the original lead singer) doesn't want to be involved with the girls anymore,I think this version of MJG is better than the 'fake' version with Val Young that was touring a few years ago

meanwhile,JoJo contrinues to tour on her own,with two other backup vocalists.She bills herself as "JoJo of the Mary Jane Girls".

Reading "Confessions of A Superfreak" will give you a good reason why JoJo wants no part. Even though Mr. James is no longer among us, i'm quite sure if he showed her an inkling to her face or what he wrote after she was gone from him, she would want nothing to do with anything that had to do with Rick James.

In short, he had NOTHING nice to say about JoJo, and i'm sure she knew it.

BlackSweat86 said:

Reading "Confessions of A Superfreak" will give you a good reason why JoJo wants no part. Even though Mr. James is no longer among us, i'm quite sure if he showed her an inkling to her face or what he wrote after she was gone from him, she would want nothing to do with anything that had to do with Rick James.

In short, he had NOTHING nice to say about JoJo, and i'm sure she knew it.

Yeah,in his book,he referred to her as an "ugly duckling" Such a shame because,whenever I see her in concert,she always mentions Rick favorably.I wonder when the drama began and why.She recorded a great duet with him in 1997 ("Don't Ever Say You Love Me",from his 'Urban Rapsody' CD)...ironically,she was a replacement for Teena Marie,whom Rick was feuding with at the time.

I'm glad that they are trying to keep the name going, it seems like Rick's estate are being really difficult though, I read months back that the Stone City Band was having difficulties getting things cleared by the estate that affected their touring. Hopefully they see the light though, because without the MJG and the SCB, there is nothing left. The SCB is supposed to be doing the Funkfest this year in Buffalo, so hopefully the MJG will be there also, I know I will!

Rick James’ Original Stone City Band Is Back | Tributes to James and Teena Marie Part of Show | The Cut with that Brother!

The Cut with that Brother! — As the band prepares for its first major tour in over 25 years, The Original Stone City Band is pumped up about hitting the road again but with mixed emotions. August 6th will mark the seventh anniversary of the death of Punk Funk legend, Rick James. Recently, the band suffered another major loss this past December with the passing of singer/songwriter/producer Teena Marie. To honor their memory, the band is dedicating this Reunion Tour to celebrate the life music and legacy of these legendary artists.

The Original Stone City Band began their rise to fame as the recording and touring band for the King of Punk Funk, Rick James in 1978. They were responsible for the music you hear on recording by Teena Marie, The Temptations, The Mary Jane Girls, Smokey Robinson, MC Hammer, and Eddie Murphy – memorable songs like “Super Freak,” “Standing On The Top,” “All Night Long,” “Fire and Desire,” “Give It to Me Baby,” “Mary Jane,” “You & I,” “Cold Blooded,” “Ebony Eyes,” and “Party All The Time” – just to name a few.

In a phone interview this week with Stone City Percussionist, Nate “Guido” Hughes talked candidly about Teena Marie and the glory years with Rick James. “Teena was special, and a very talented musician and songwriter,” Hughes said. “I remember working on her first Motown album entitled ‘Wild and Peaceful’. When she stepped behind the mike and sang ‘Déjà vu, we all knew that she was the real deal, and the rest is history.”

“It was the day after Christmas,” as Hughes recalls. “When we got news of Teena’s death it just devastated us all. We literally had to shut down for two months. “She was family,” he says. “We were planning a big tribute concert in Buffalo; too celebrate Rick’s life, music and legacy. Now we’ll include a special tribute to Teena in our show.”

The band is currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada and are “fired up” about this highly anticipated Tribute Tour that will kickoff in Sacramento, California on June 4 at McClatchy Park with The O’Jays. The band will consist of original members Lanise Hughes (drums), Nate (Guido) Hughes (percussion/vocals) Billy Nunn (keyboards/vocals), Allen McGrier (bass), and Tom McDermott (lead guitar). Also joining the band on lead vocals, is Randall (R2) Bostick and on keyboards, Kapp Ivory.

Follow the Buzz via www.theoriginalstonecityband.com

SoulAlive said:

Rick James’ Original Stone City Band Is Back | Tributes to James and Teena Marie Part of Show | The Cut with that Brother!

The Cut with that Brother! — As the band prepares for its first major tour in over 25 years, The Original Stone City Band is pumped up about hitting the road again but with mixed emotions. August 6th will mark the seventh anniversary of the death of Punk Funk legend, Rick James. Recently, the band suffered another major loss this past December with the passing of singer/songwriter/producer Teena Marie. To honor their memory, the band is dedicating this Reunion Tour to celebrate the life music and legacy of these legendary artists.

The Original Stone City Band began their rise to fame as the recording and touring band for the King of Punk Funk, Rick James in 1978. They were responsible for the music you hear on recording by Teena Marie, The Temptations, The Mary Jane Girls, Smokey Robinson, MC Hammer, and Eddie Murphy – memorable songs like “Super Freak,” “Standing On The Top,” “All Night Long,” “Fire and Desire,” “Give It to Me Baby,” “Mary Jane,” “You & I,” “Cold Blooded,” “Ebony Eyes,” and “Party All The Time” – just to name a few.

In a phone interview this week with Stone City Percussionist, Nate “Guido” Hughes talked candidly about Teena Marie and the glory years with Rick James. “Teena was special, and a very talented musician and songwriter,” Hughes said. “I remember working on her first Motown album entitled ‘Wild and Peaceful’. When she stepped behind the mike and sang ‘Déjà vu, we all knew that she was the real deal, and the rest is history.”

“It was the day after Christmas,” as Hughes recalls. “When we got news of Teena’s death it just devastated us all. We literally had to shut down for two months. “She was family,” he says. “We were planning a big tribute concert in Buffalo; too celebrate Rick’s life, music and legacy. Now we’ll include a special tribute to Teena in our show.”

The band is currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada and are “fired up” about this highly anticipated Tribute Tour that will kickoff in Sacramento, California on June 4 at McClatchy Park with The O’Jays. The band will consist of original members Lanise Hughes (drums), Nate (Guido) Hughes (percussion/vocals) Billy Nunn (keyboards/vocals), Allen McGrier (bass), and Tom McDermott (lead guitar). Also joining the band on lead vocals, is Randall (R2) Bostick and on keyboards, Kapp Ivory.

Follow the Buzz via www.theoriginalstonecityband.com

Wow! SMH!!!

They should make an album of synthesized funk tunes too...dont know why original funkers arent

paisleypark4 said:

They should make an album of synthesized funk tunes too...dont know why original funkers arent

that would be cool

SoulAlive said:

BlackSweat86 said:

Reading "Confessions of A Superfreak" will give you a good reason why JoJo wants no part. Even though Mr. James is no longer among us, i'm quite sure if he showed her an inkling to her face or what he wrote after she was gone from him, she would want nothing to do with anything that had to do with Rick James.

In short, he had NOTHING nice to say about JoJo, and i'm sure she knew it.

Yeah,in his book,he referred to her as an "ugly duckling" Such a shame because,whenever I see her in concert,she always mentions Rick favorably.I wonder when the drama began and why.She recorded a great duet with him in 1997 ("Don't Ever Say You Love Me",from his 'Urban Rapsody' CD)...ironically,she was a replacement for Teena Marie,whom Rick was feuding with at the time.

JoJo was even touring with him as a backup singer around that time to and she spoke favorably

about Rick during his Behind the Music special on VH1 so something went wrong after that

period. I believe rick also got divorced from his wife Tanya after that period too after they

were supposedly very happy together and had a child.

^ You know what's funny? It's been six and a half years and we still haven't yet heard from Tanya what happened to make their marriage crack when it did. Didn't Rick write some of the biography while in prison? Maybe they made up or something. Rick died before the book was published.

Timmy84 said:

^ You know what's funny? It's been six and a half years and we still haven't yet heard from Tanya what happened to make their marriage crack when it did. Didn't Rick write some of the biography while in prison? Maybe they made up or something. Rick died before the book was published.

Hopefully Rick didn't fall back in.

Where is the white guy? I'm guessing he wasn't an original member(StoneCity), although he was an OG for real.

Lol, man, those chicks look busted. I wonder what Corvette looks like now, she was the hottest one.

[Edited 4/11/11 19:02pm]

phunkdaddy said:

Timmy84 said:

^ You know what's funny? It's been six and a half years and we still haven't yet heard from Tanya what happened to make their marriage crack when it did. Didn't Rick write some of the biography while in prison? Maybe they made up or something. Rick died before the book was published.

Hopefully Rick didn't fall back in.

Well it wasn't in his system I don't think...I know cocaine was though.

minneapolisFunq said:

Where is the white guy? I'm guessing he wasn't an original member(StoneCity), although he was an OG for real.

Lol, man, those chicks look busted. I wonder what Corvette looks like now, she was the hottest one.

[Edited 4/11/11 19:02pm]

The 'white guy' is Tom McDermott, and he was an original member, and one hell of a guitar player.

Also, Rick did write the biography while in prison, so I do think that he and JoJo made up after he was released, but unfortunately the biography was released in its original form. I was very shocked to read that he felt that way about her, but according to him, her husband at the time had a lot to do with their beef.

I thought that he was, but that picture tricked me. Whoever made that needs to be slapped! I didn't read the text before but apparently he is rocking with them.

mrpunkfunk said:

minneapolisFunq said:

Where is the white guy? I'm guessing he wasn't an original member(StoneCity), although he was an OG for real.

Lol, man, those chicks look busted. I wonder what Corvette looks like now, she was the hottest one.

[Edited 4/11/11 19:02pm]

The 'white guy' is Tom McDermott, and he was an original member, and one hell of a guitar player.

Also, Rick did write the biography while in prison, so I do think that he and JoJo made up after he was released, but unfortunately the biography was released in its original form. I was very shocked to read that he felt that way about her, but according to him, her husband at the time had a lot to do with their beef.

I think Tom has been flying high for the last decade. High as in he is a pilot, and works for a private company.?

Corvette stills looks fine as hockey sticks!! She had the cleavage on display at Rick's memorial, "I had to represent for Rick." Hee Hee She is awesome.

minneapolisFunq said:

Where is the white guy? I'm guessing he wasn't an original member(StoneCity), although he was an OG for real.

I found Tom McDermott on Facebook I hope he will be joining the Stone City Band tour.

Age has not been kind to the blond one!!!! And it's time to update the outfits.

minneapolisFunq said: I wonder what Corvette looks like now, she was the hottest one.

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^^ isn't Corvette the one who sued Paula Abdul in the early 90s? She claimed that it was HER that did most of the vocals (uncredited) on Paula's debut album.

SoulAlive said:

^^ isn't Corvette the one who sued Paula Abdul in the early 90s? She claimed that it was HER that did most of the vocals (uncredited) on Paula's debut album.

Oh, i wasn't aware of that Here's her official site btw : Yvette Barlowe

Yvette Barlowe went on to sue Virgin Records in 1991, claiming that she had shared the lead vocals on the songs "Opposites Attract," "Knocked Out," and "I Need You" on Paula Abdul's debut album Forever Your Girl.^[1] In 1993, a jury eventually ruled against Barlowe.^[2]

mrpunkfunk said:

Rick did write the biography while in prison, so I do think that he and JoJo made up after he was released, but unfortunately the biography was released in its original form. I was very shocked to read that he felt that way about her, but according to him, her husband at the time had a lot to do with their beef.

Rick said some not-so-nice things about Anita Baker too Apparently,she was good friends with JoJo and even got invited to JoJo's wedding.I haven't picked up the book in awhile but I recall that Rick said something really vicious about their friendship.

SoulAlive said:

mrpunkfunk said:

Rick said some not-so-nice things about Anita Baker too Apparently,she was good friends with JoJo and even got invited to JoJo's wedding.I haven't picked up the book in awhile but I recall that Rick said something really vicious about their friendship.

Yeah, he blasted her in that book. I haven't read it in a while, but he said something along the lines of her being "one of the most stuck up bitches he ever met in his life" lol. Only Rick, he also spoke of how he 'checked' Stevie Wonder for not playing harmonica on 'Mr. Policeman' the way he wanted; Rick was a charachter.

mrpunkfunk said:

SoulAlive said:

Rick said some not-so-nice things about Anita Baker too Apparently,she was good friends with JoJo and even got invited to JoJo's wedding.I haven't picked up the book in awhile but I recall that Rick said something really vicious about their friendship.

Yeah, he blasted her in that book. I haven't read it in a while, but he said something along the lines of her being "one of the most stuck up bitches he ever met in his life" lol. Only Rick, he also spoke of how he 'checked' Stevie Wonder for not playing harmonica on 'Mr. Policeman' the way he wanted; Rick was a charachter.

he certainly was I'm tempted to read that book again (lol),Rick said alot of 'interesting' things.

HotGritz said:

Age has not been kind to the blond one!!!! And it's time to update the outfits.

Well, actually... it is all relative. I am thinking Tom is lookin' fine as hell. (I mean really, some of his contemporaries are actually looking quite rough around the edges. And at the time of his passing Rick was crazy bloated and barely recognizable, truth be told.) I can't say that I am particularly fond of Tom's current output - sandtwoguitars.com, but it has its charms.

.

[Edited 4/27/11 10:31am]