Like many of the artists that signed with Motown Records during its 1960s heyday, I feel this woman, while well accomplished for her work in that period in terms of how she wasn't promoted fairly due to Supremes-mania, got the shaft since she was virtually an outsider of the Motown scene.

Sexy, voluptuous, vulnerable, multi-talented, brassy, Brenda was one of the rare artists in Motown that spoke her mind. She was brought to Motown after Berry Gordy heard her mime Mary Wells' "My Guy". Wells had left Motown in 1964 and Brenda was positioned to replace Wells as "Ms. Motown" and she was given Wells' leftover tracks such as "When I'm Gone" and "Operator".

She first hit big with the ballad "Every Little Bit Hurts". So far, her version is the biggest hit and this version would be covered by everyone from Aretha to Alicia. She had several top 40 pop and R&B hits between 1964 and 1968 including "When I'm Gone", "Operator", "Just Look What You've Done" and the original version of "You've Made Me So Very Happy", which she helped write.

The version by Blood, Sweat & Tears became a pop classic while Brenda's original was an underrated soul gem. Brenda was big enough to even open for the Beatles during their American tour, more prominently their Shea Stadium debut.

However, due to politics, Berry Gordy and the nature of Hitsville, she never got to where her talent was supposed to take her. Nowadays, she's regarded as a legendary singer.

How you feel about this wonderful lady who became the first West Coast artist signed to Motown?

She was, quite simply, too sexy for Motown at that point. Berry Gordy was going for the straight-laced pop-oriented white audience and she didn't fit in.

A supremely talented woman.

VoicesCarry said:

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tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431
[Edited 12/10/07 16:45pm]

Here's Brenda's charted records from Motown:

1964: "Every Little Bit Hurts" (#13 US)
1964: "I'll Always Love You" (no not the Dolly/Whitney one) (#60 US)
1965: "When I'm Gone" (#25 US, #12 US R&B)
1965: "Operator" (#78 US, #36 US R&B)
1967: "Just Look What You've Done" (#69 US, #21 US R&B)
1967: "You've Made Me So Very Happy" (#40 US, #39 US R&B)

Here's some singles she released in which chart info is unknown as of this point:
1965: "You Can Cry On My Shoulder" (she performed this on "Shindig!", I think)
1966: "Together 'til the End of Time"
1966: "Hurt a Little Everyday"

Other singles:
1962: "Hey Fool"
1962: "Game of Love"
1962: "I'll Give My Life"
1988: "Give Me a Little Inspiration"
1988: "On the Rebound" (w/Jimmy Ruffin)
1991: "Hot & Cold"