In Memoriam: Mable John, Motown’s first female solo artist, dies at 91

Stay connected via Google News

Follow us for the latest updates from Unheard Voices

Mable John, the pioneering music artist who was the first female solo act at Motown, has died.

Mable John dies at 91

According to a statement released by her nephew, John passed away at her Los Angeles home.

“We loved her and she was a kind person.”, her nephew told Detroit News.

A cause of death was not revealed.

Music career and activism

Berry Gordy signed Mable John to his new label — then known as Tamla Records — in 1958. She was the first woman under his company to get her own record deal without a group. Other acts that were signed early included Smokey Robinson (and the Miracles), Eddie Holland and Mary Wells.

Gordy was a coach/mentor for John — who was opening for Billie Holiday in Detroit during the ’50s. She then signed to his label but left the in mid-’60s.

During her time at Motown, she recorded hits such as  “Who Wouldn’t Love a Man Like That?,” “No Love,” “Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” “Looking for a Man,” “You Are My Only Love!” among others.

After her brief stint with Motown, she signed with Stax Records where she released the memorable hit, “Your Good Thing (Is About to End).” John left Stax and went on to perform with the Raelettes, backing Ray Charles. Eventually, she traded in her mainstream career for a career in gospel music.

In recent years Mable appeared as blues singer Bertha Mae in “Honeydripper” (2007), as well as the documentary “20 Feet from Stardom” (2013), in which she discussed her years as Ray Charles’ head Raelette.

Making Los Angeles her home, Mable John became a pastor and opened her own charity in the area called the Joy Community Outreach, which does work with homeless people.

John earned her doctorate in divinity from the Crenshaw Christian Center in 1993 and, in 1994, she was awarded the Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.