Legendary Motown singer, Wanda Young is dead

Wanda Young, singer and member of Motown doo-wop girl group The Marvelette, has passed away after a battling a chronic illness.

The late legendary singer’s daughter, Meta Ventress told New York Times on Saturday December 24 that the singer died at the age of 78 on December 15, of complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The late singer replaced another member of the Michigan group when Motown head, Berry Gordy signed the band in 1961. A month later, The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman” became the first song on the young label to reach the top of the charts.

The group followed the hit with popular songs like “My Baby Must Be A Magician” and “Don’t Mess With Bill,” which both featured Young providing lead vocals.

The frequent collaborator of Smokey Robinson is survived by three children; seven grandchildren; a great-grandson; four sisters and four brothers.