Gladys Horton achieved her first-world recognition, with a smash hit single shortly after her 15th birthday. She was the lead singer for The Marvelettes, the world-famous Motown Records supergirl group of the '60s and '70s. Her sassy lead vocals on "Please Mr. Postman" delivered that song up the charts, all the way to #1, and it's still classic today. It was her voice and sound that gave Berry Gordy Jr. and his company its first straight #1 in December of 1961.
Gladys Horton left the Marvelettes after an eight-year stint to become a full-time mother. It was at this time that her firstborn was handicapped with cerebral palsy. After having to give up her career on stage, she continued her hand at writing songs. Today, she is celebrated as an accomplished songwriter who kept those famous vocal cords in top form until her passing in 2011. Gladys Horton also wrote and sang the lead on "Playboy," another smash hit from The Marvelettes.
"I always knew I had some writing ability," she admitted. "When I was only in the fifth grade, I won first place in a Novel Writing Competition."
If you've never met Gladys or witnessed one of her performances, you're in for a treat. After just reading anything she has to say, you will feel like you've known her all of your life.
Ladies and gentlemen, teenagers, and children around the world...
Please, may I introduce you to the one and only...Gladys Horton.