I also wanted to add that to me The Velvelettes are truly a "group". The backup singers are prominent and indispensalbe, and the interplay they create with the lead vocals is part of what makes the songs so irresistible. Love that quality in their recordings.
I love the Velvelettes since I was a kid back in 64 listening to top 40 on a transistor radio. So wonderful to catch them again many decades later and that they have done so well. Thanks for posting!
Wonderful to see this legendary group getting therecognition they deserve. They are definitely one of the best girl groups of all time. Great interviews too. They are so down to earth. Thanks for such a fantastic upload.
ERIC - Thanks for this report on the Vevelettes! Loved it! "Needle in a Haystack" is one of my all-time-favorite Motown hits. Now I know more about the women in the group. Fascinating!
Always wondered why MOTOWN would NEVER EVER release no albums on The VELVELETTES..? I learn about them while working at a Record Shop after school and on the weekends, and the postman would bring mail in and there was a booklet that MOTOWN sent to Record Shops, that I First learn about MOTOWN Other Labels and The VELEVELETTES Group Name and I ordered 30 copies of the single:> " A Bird In The Hand ", from our Record Distribution Music Sales in Nashville, Tenn. I would receive the Prom Copies when The VELVELETTES would release a New Single on:> V.I.P. or SOUL Labels that they Recorded On; and some of Motown Other Artist when they had I think 6 - Labels back in the day.. Now I have The CD, "The BEST OF THE VELVELETTES" and The VELVELETTES:> "the MOTOWN ANTHOLOGY". But, I always said:> "They Were A HOT GIRL GROUP Rite along with The SUPREMES; MARVELETTES; and Martha & The VANDELLAS, MOTOWN Other GIRL GROUPS...! Wish they would have been apart of that:> "MOTOWN25 Television Show"...!
Wow, thank you so much for this interview. There are just so many special jewels out there, that never got the recognition they deserved. It is nice to know there are many fans who help the public know this in their own ways. Again, thanks so much for posting this. As a teacher, I’m proud to know they have respect for education. I wish these ladies the best along with my appreciation for their contribution to the music industry. Alex from LA
These are one of the best girl groups ever, they’re also lovely ladies, can’t believe how good they look, thanks for such an excellent presentation. Salford uk.
Great job! Excellent profile of the Velvelettes one of my favorite groups. I met all of the members and they are all exceptional ladies. Great job also by Eric Woodyard the narrator. Keep it going.......
Great group. I bought their "Best Of" album and have seen them live. They were just as elegant and gorgeous live as The Supremes, very classy, looked and sounded great live. What Motown was unable to do was find them the right songwriters and songs to take them further in their career. "Needle in a Haystack" was a most promising single that somewhat borrowed from the "Where Did Our Love Go" sound. When the narrator says it went to #13 is he talking about the R+B chart or pop? I don't recall the record going that far on pop charts but I think it was more successful on the R+B chart. It was, in its way. more like a Marvelettes girl-to-girl "message song" in the vein of "Toom Many Fish in the Sea" so a somewhat familiar type release from Motown but it really has snap, crackle, 'n pop. Listen with a great sound system and you will hear the glory of the Motown sound.. The "Bird in Hand" single was okay, but it lacked a strong hook and I think the title message was not as familiar to their relatively young audience as they may have assumed. To be honest, I didn't quite understand the meaning of that saying when I was a kid buying Motown singles. Their other truly great single hit was actually "He was Really Sayin' Something", so they were not a one hit wonder. I bet they still play it in the Northern Soul music scene.
Very well done. They certainly look younger than they must be considering the era of their music. Very pretty. One of my friends was at the Motown Museum when Cal was there, and help kept talking about how pretty she is.
I also wanted to add that to me The Velvelettes are truly a "group". The backup singers are prominent and indispensalbe, and the interplay they create with the lead vocals is part of what makes the songs so irresistible. Love that quality in their recordings.
I love the Velvelettes since I was a kid back in 64 listening to top 40 on a transistor radio. So wonderful to catch them again many decades later and that they have done so well. Thanks for posting!
Cal Street is fantastic! I love to hear her sing....
RIP Bertha McNeal
Wonderful to see this legendary group getting therecognition they deserve. They are definitely one of the best girl groups of all time. Great interviews too. They are so down to earth. Thanks for such a fantastic upload.
RIP bertha. Thank you for the music.
Miss McNeal was my teacher for 5 years .I love her she is such a wonderful person and teacher.I would love to see her again.
Fabulous girl group !!!!!! Still sounding fantastic !!!
ERIC - Thanks for this report on the Vevelettes! Loved it! "Needle in a Haystack" is one of my all-time-favorite Motown hits. Now I know more about the women in the group. Fascinating!
Always wondered why MOTOWN would NEVER EVER release no albums on
The VELVELETTES..? I learn about them while working at a Record Shop after school and on the weekends, and the postman would bring mail in and there was a booklet that MOTOWN sent to Record Shops, that I First learn about MOTOWN Other Labels and The VELEVELETTES Group Name and I ordered 30 copies of the single:> " A Bird In The Hand ", from our Record Distribution Music Sales in Nashville, Tenn.
I would receive the Prom Copies when The VELVELETTES would release a New Single on:> V.I.P. or SOUL Labels that they Recorded On; and some of Motown Other Artist when they had I think 6 - Labels back in the day.. Now I have The CD, "The BEST OF THE VELVELETTES" and The VELVELETTES:> "the MOTOWN ANTHOLOGY". But, I always said:> "They Were A HOT GIRL GROUP Rite along with The SUPREMES; MARVELETTES; and Martha & The VANDELLAS, MOTOWN Other GIRL GROUPS...!
Wish they would have been apart of that:> "MOTOWN25 Television Show"...!
MOWESTMOTOWN I
Wow, thank you so much for this interview. There are just so many special jewels out there, that never got the recognition they deserved. It is nice to know there are many fans who help the public know this in their own ways. Again, thanks so much for posting this. As a teacher, I’m proud to know they have respect for education. I wish these ladies the best along with my appreciation for their contribution to the music industry. Alex from LA
These are one of the best girl groups ever, they’re also lovely ladies, can’t believe how good they look, thanks for such an excellent presentation. Salford uk.
The Velvelettes even look better than some of today's young women. Best of all, they act as lovely as they look.
Great job! Excellent profile of the Velvelettes one of my favorite groups. I met all of the members and they are all exceptional ladies. Great job also by Eric Woodyard the narrator. Keep it going.......
Great group. I bought their "Best Of" album and have seen them live. They were just as elegant and gorgeous live as The Supremes, very classy, looked and sounded great live. What Motown was unable to do was find them the right songwriters and songs to take them further in their career. "Needle in a Haystack" was a most promising single that somewhat borrowed from the "Where Did Our Love Go" sound. When the narrator says it went to #13 is he talking about the R+B chart or pop? I don't recall the record going that far on pop charts but I think it was more successful on the R+B chart. It was, in its way. more like a Marvelettes girl-to-girl "message song" in the vein of "Toom Many Fish in the Sea" so a somewhat familiar type release from Motown but it really has snap, crackle, 'n pop. Listen with a great sound system and you will hear the glory of the Motown sound.. The "Bird in Hand" single was okay, but it lacked a strong hook and I think the title message was not as familiar to their relatively young audience as they may have assumed. To be honest, I didn't quite understand the meaning of that saying when I was a kid buying Motown singles. Their other truly great single hit was actually "He was Really Sayin' Something", so they were not a one hit wonder. I bet they still play it in the Northern Soul music scene.
I didn't know they from Kalamazoo Michigan... When I was a Kid I lived about 15 miles from Kalamazoo
Very well done. They certainly look younger than they must be considering the era of their music. Very pretty. One of my friends was at the Motown Museum when Cal was there, and help kept talking about how pretty she is.
Nice interview!
You are so sosososo gifted
Fab interview.
I love your voice
I am a fan of her s
You go
great group
Excellent job. Thank you so much for shining light where it should have been a long time ago!
Thanks
I could see Cal and I chilling !!
Thank you for this valuable info
Hi Cal !!
How old is that damn lady,damn it really don't crack
I hope Cal is doing well nowadays!
Black don't crack!!!