Gloria Williams

Singer, Musical Artist

1942 – 2000

83

Who was Gloria Williams?

Gloria Williams was an American singer notable for being the original lead singer of an early incarnation of Martha and the Vandellas under the name, The Del-Phis.

Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1942, Williams auditioned for a spot in a girl group in 1957, and found herself accompanying Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford and Martha Reeves in the christened Del-Phis.

The group performed in benefits and high school parties before being signed to the Chess Records subsidiary Checkmate, where the group recorded a single, "I'll Let You Know", with Williams on lead. Once at Motown, the group during this period sung backing vocals for other acts/artists on studio recordings, such as Marvin Gaye. Williams sung lead on an early single, "There He Is", on the Mel-O-Dy subsidiary of Motown after the group changed their name to The Vels. On the single's flip side, "You'll Never Cherish A Love So True", she shares the lead with Reeves.

However, when the single flopped, a frustrated Williams left the group leaving the band as a trio. The group went on to international fame with Reeves as lead singer under the name of Martha and the Vandellas.

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Born
1942
Also known as
  • Gloria Williamson
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Died
2000

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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