Mable John was a blues singer who became the first woman solo artist signed to Motown Records.
- Died: August 25, 2022 (Who else died on August 25?)
- Details of death: Died at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 91.
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Musical career
John began performing in the 1950s, with one of her early appearances coming as an opening act for Billie Holiday. She made a connection with Motown founder Berry Gordy via his mother, who owned an insurance agency where John worked as a young woman. Gordy signed her to his Tamla Records label, which later evolved into Motown, in 1958. She released several unsuccessful singles for Motown, including “Who Wouldn’t Love a Man Like That?” and “No Love,” before leaving the label in 1962. She sang in Ray Charles’ backing band, the Raelettes, and recorded as a solo artist for Stax Records. It was with Stax that John had her biggest hit, the 1966 single “Your Good Thing (Is About to End).” In later years, John worked as a manager for gospel musicians, as well as occasionally recording music. She had a role in the 2007 movie “Honeydripper” as blues singer Bertha Mae, wrote several novels, and became a minister, earning her Doctor of Divinity degree. She also founded Joy Community Outreach, feeding the homeless in Los Angeles. John was the sister of R&B singer Little Willie John.
Notable quote
“[A]t the beginning I thought I could only sing gospel. With Berry Gordy, I found out I could sing the blues. I went to Stax and I find out I could sing love songs. I got with Ray Charles and we sang country – everything.” —from a 2007 interview for NPR
Tributes to Mable John
Full obituary: Billboard
