Who was most deserving to have been much bigger hitmakers?

[luke]

Im sure we could have very long lists so Im keeping mine to 5
1)Brenda Holloway
2)Elgins
3)Velvelettes
4)Kim Weston
5) Barbara Randolph

[marybrewster]

I think most will agree that it seems like the Marvelettes got the short end of the stick. Seeing as they brought Motown it's first #1 hit, by a girl-group, and quite frankly, for the times, a black girl-group, it seems a bit unfair that just a few short years later, they were all but "unsung".

I wonder if their smash would have come later, say, in 1964, when Motown was a bit more mainstream, if they would have gotten Sullivan, or some higher profile gigs.

[longtimefan]

Thelma Houston!!! Why is there no Motown anthology [[with unreleased tracks)? She still performs and draws crowds. I never understood this!

With all due respect to those above, at least they got anthologies [[although Barbara Randolph's was not quite the same format).

[luke]

Totally agree. I would have mentioned Thelma except she had a big hit

[rovereab]

Syreeta would get my vote along with Tammi Terrell.

[midnightman]

No order but:

Marvelettes
Syreeta
Brenda Holloway
The Spinners
The Contours

[luke]

Midnight man you're off track a bit lol. Marvelettes had a # 1 hit. Being strict on this one

[jobeterob]

It's just in this crowd we consider the Marvelettes underplayed unsung underdogged under awarded etc! But they did have a number of hits and they got about a 5 year run which is all most acts get

[daviddesper]

Just five huh? OK if you insist....

Velvelettes for sure. Elgins without a doubt. Those two are no-brainers for me.

How about Edwin Starr? That is one vault I would like to see further explored.

I will go along with Tammi as a solo artist, even though she packed the hits together with Marvin in a short window of time.

And now for my fifth one....hmmmm.........I think I will go with the Isley Brothers. Yes they had a long overall career, but their Motown tenure was short even though it was by far their best music in my opinion. So had they stuck with the label and received proper promotion, I think they could have been right up there with the Temps and Tops.

[Ngroove]

Shorty Long
Fantastic Four
Syreeta Wright
G C Cameron
Willie Hutch

[jobeterob]

Susaye Greene
Blinky

[Bluebrock]

Thelma for me. Superb vocalist and 2nd only to Gladys for vocal ability.

[motony]

Kim Weston, Carolyn Crawford,Elgins, Velvelettes.

[wedgeville]

Agree with most of you.
Kim Weston, Brenda Holloway, Velvelettes, Elgins, Fantastic Four, Originals, Hattie Littles, carolyn Crawford...
Also with the Isley Brothers had been given a bigger push.

Wayne

[arr&bee]

The spinners..kim weston.

[midnightman]

Midnight man you're off track a bit lol. Marvelettes had a # 1 hit. Being strict on this one

I understand. But they deserved more #1's. I admit I am biased.

[luke]

Lol. Allowed due to your honesty. Bluerock and daviddesper on thin ice but I agree with them! Lol

[BigAl]

Almost everyone was shortchanged except for Supremes [[during the early and DRATS years), Tops, Tempts, Stevie, and Marvin — and Supremes eventually got knocked off the list after Diane left. Gordy was far too focused on his top-draws and acted like everyone else was just there to provide pocket change. This was not uncommon on other labels as well, but it was particularly evident at Hitsville.

[captainjames]

Yvonne Fair
Brenda Holloway
Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers
The Velvelettes
The Andantes as The Andantes

[danman869]

Ladies and gentlemen, I passionately nominate Miss Brenda Holloway!