SoulAlive said:

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.

To find out the truth about the Mary Jane Girls and what happened to JoJo go to Lee Baileys Eurweb story on JoJo or Wikipedia. Maxi and Cheri "Version" of Rick's vision is a JOKE. They didn't sing now or then. The Water Sister sang with JoJo on all Mary Jane Girl projects and the band sang for them on tour. These are the facts as they couldn't do live shows on television (ie,TonightShow, Saturday Night Live etc..). Why do people including the above lie about the work they didn't do! I guess truth isn't a reality for them.When Rick went back to drugs JoJo left. She continues to battle Rick's trust for stolen royalties and other monies owed her. JoJo has toured with Barry White and Anita Baker. Solo tours overseas and here in the states. She has a new project out called 'Slightly Dangerous" being sold on CD BABY, ITUNES etc.. . JoJo has placed music she wrote on televsion shows and movies. The reality (that word again) is if you want to hear what you bought, listened and danced to from the Mary Jane Girls its JoJo Original Lead Singer Mary Jane Girls.

JoJo's 2006 solo album 'Slightly Dangerous'.It's mostly an album of jazzy cover tunes.

truth007 said:

SoulAlive said:

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.

Maxi and Cheri "Version" of Rick's vision is a JOKE. They didn't sing now or then. The Water Sister sang with JoJo on all Mary Jane Girl projects and the band sang for them on tour. These are the facts as they couldn't do live shows on television (ie,TonightShow, Saturday Night Live etc..). Why do people including the above lie about the work they didn't do!

but ya gotta admit,their version of the Mary Jane Girls is better than the "fake" version led by Val Young (who was never a member of the group)

SoulAlive said:

truth007 said:

Maxi and Cheri "Version" of Rick's vision is a JOKE. They didn't sing now or then. The Water Sister sang with JoJo on all Mary Jane Girl projects and the band sang for them on tour. These are the facts as they couldn't do live shows on television (ie,TonightShow, Saturday Night Live etc..). Why do people including the above lie about the work they didn't do!

but ya gotta admit,their version of the Mary Jane Girls is better than the "fake" version led by Val Young (who was never a member of the group)

I agree with you that Val and whatever she has is HORRIBLE!!. Val and Ty James who wants to be a 40 year old plus rapper have made Rick's music and JoJo's vocal a disgrace. But remember MAXI , CHERI and CANDI all SUPPORTED VAL"S Lies !!! and Candi still does. This was all done from what I was told to be paid $100.00 PER SHOW and they call me stupid!! You are right Val never was a Mary Jane Girl but, as soon as MAXI, CHERI AND CANDI had a chance once again they threw JoJo under the bus. Don't believe the hype Maxi, Candi, Cheri and Val are trying to feed the fans and the public Bull#### and Kool -Aid.

God rest her soul but even Teena Marie admitted when she was

on TAJ and Eddie George's reality show that the MJG's vocals

were basically done by JoJo and the Water sisters. What i wanna

know is did Candi really sing You Are My Heaven on MJG debut

album and did Cheri really sing Jealousy?

phunkdaddy said:

God rest her soul but even Teena Marie admitted when she was

on TAJ and Eddie George's reality show that the MJG's vocals

were basically done by JoJo and the Water sisters. What i wanna

know is did Candi really sing You Are My Heaven on MJG debut

album and did Cheri really sing Jealousy?

I would bet that Cheri is really singing "Jealousy".She has a 'Valley Girl'/pop voice that the Water sisters wouldn't have been able to pull off

SoulAlive said:

phunkdaddy said:

God rest her soul but even Teena Marie admitted when she was

on TAJ and Eddie George's reality show that the MJG's vocals

were basically done by JoJo and the Water sisters. What i wanna

know is did Candi really sing You Are My Heaven on MJG debut

album and did Cheri really sing Jealousy?

I would bet that Cheri is really singing "Jealousy".She has a 'Valley Girl'/pop voice that the Water sisters wouldn't have been able to pull off

I agree.

SoulAlive said:

phunkdaddy said:

God rest her soul but even Teena Marie admitted when she was

on TAJ and Eddie George's reality show that the MJG's vocals

were basically done by JoJo and the Water sisters. What i wanna

know is did Candi really sing You Are My Heaven on MJG debut

album and did Cheri really sing Jealousy?

I would bet that Cheri is really singing "Jealousy".She has a 'Valley Girl'/pop voice that the Water sisters wouldn't have been able to pull off

Whatever with Cheri and Maxi, I'm riding with JoJo ALL DAY! The Waters sisters never got no respect!