The Emotions

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the vocal group formed in 1958, see The Emotions (doo-wop group).

The Emotions
Also known asThe Hutchinson Sunbeams
Origin
Motown
Members
  • Wanda Hutchinson-Vaughn
  • Sheila Hutchinson-Witt
Past members
  • Pamela Hutchinson
  • Jeanette Hutchinson-Hawes
  • Theresa Davis
  • Adrianne Harris

The Emotions are an American soul/R&B vocal group from Chicago. The group started out in gospel music but transitioned into R&B and disco music. The Emotions were named by VH1 as one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time.[1][2][3]

History

Early career

The group was originally a gospel outfit known as the Hutchinson Sunbeams who toured the gospel circuit with their father Joe Hutchinson. The Sunbeams sang on Jerry Van Dyke’s “Children’s Gospel” television show and also occasionally performed in the concert with Mahalia Jackson. They eventually became an R&B/Soul act with a popular following in their hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Soon being renamed as The Emotions, they signed with the Memphis-based Volt imprint of Stax Records in the late 1960s.[4][5][6][7] Under the production of Isaac Hayes and David Porter the group issued their 1969 debut album entitled So I Can Love You on Stax.[8]

"So I Can Love You" rose to no. 43 upon the

Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.[9] The album's title track got to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[10][11] Another single entitled "The Best Part Of A Love Affair" rose to no. 27 upon the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.[11]

During 1970, The Emotions released a single entitled "

Untouched in 1972 upon Stax.[12] A song from the album called "Show Me How" rose to No. 13 upon the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[11]

During 1972, the girl group also released another single called "My Honey and Me." That song reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[11]

The Emotions then started to work on their third studio album entitled Songs of Innocence and Experience. This LP was due to be issued in 1973, but was eventually shelved. The girl group went on to appear in the 1973 feature film

Golden Globe in the category of Best Documentary. With Stax becoming defunct in 1975, the group then left the record label altogether.[13][14][15][16]

Above and beyond

The group then joined up with

Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 45 on the Billboard 200. The album was also certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.[9][18][19] The LP's title track got to No. 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. Another single called "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and No. 13 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.[20][11]

Following Charles Stepney's death in 1976, White took over producing the Emotions.

RIAA.[21][9][18]

With the LP came the single “Don't Ask My Neighbors" which got to the top ten on the Billboard R&B singles charts. Another song called "

RIAA.[23]

A compilation album entitled Sunshine was, in November 1977, released by Stax. Sunshine got to No. 39 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.[24][9] Dave Marsh of Rolling Stone found the album "is harder edged, more classically soulful than (Rejoice)." John Shearlaw of Record Mirror exclaimed "Old Emotions, new Emotions-they're just as good."[25][26] Covers of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Carla Thomas' "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" appeared on the album.[27] Whilst the album cut "Shouting Out Love" peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[11]

During April 1978 The Emotions issued

Sunbeam, their third studio album on Columbia. The album rose to No. 12 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on the Billboard 200 chart.[18][9] John Storm Roberts of High Fidelity stated ""Sunbeam" sparkles with good tracks."[28] Glenn Clark of The Morning Call wrote "The best thing I can say about this LP is that I like it. The Emotions' brand of snappy and upbeat soul is good for my soul. Maurice White, guru of Earth, Wind & Fire, produced this album, and I think he has blended well the talent he has brought together."[29]

Sunbeam has been certified

RIAA.[30] An album cut called Smile reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[11]

During 1979, Earth, Wind & Fire collaborated with The Emotions on the single "

Best Disco Recording.[34][2]

Within October of that year the Emotions issued their follow up studio album again produced by White entitled

Grammy nominated in the category of Producer of the Year Non-Classical.[38]

Wanda and Jeanette went on to appear on Jennifer Holliday's Grammy nominated 1983 LP Feel My Soul. Pamela and Wanda also featured on Earth, Wind & Fire's 1983 album Electric Universe.[39][40][41]

The Emotions' eighth studio album entitled

Motown Records. The album got to No. 11 on the UK Blues & Soul Hiplist chart.[48][49]

The Emotions went on to feature on Tyler Collins 1989 album Girls Nite Out. A song off the LP that the girl group sang on called "Watcha Gonna Do?" rose to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[50][51]

Jeanette and Wanda then appeared upon EWF's 1990 album

Grammy nominated album Intimate.[1][53][54][55]

During 2000, Pamela eventually rejoined the group.

Adult Contemporary Songs chart.[57][58][59] As well the group appeared on a 2004 PBS soul music special hosted by Patti LaBelle where they performed "Best Of My Love".[60] Within September of that year, Songs of Innocence and Experience were finally released by Stax.[13]

The Emotions went on to collaborate with rapper Snoop Dogg on a track called "Life" upon his 2006 album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment.[61] The album has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.[62] The Emotions also appeared as a guest artist upon Terrace Martin's 2016 Grammy nominated album Velvet Portraits.[63][64]

Pamela's death

On September 18, 2020, Pamela Hutchinson died at the age of 61.[65]

Legacy

The Emotions have been sampled by rappers such as

Notorious BIG.[66][67]

Artists such as Toni Braxton, 112, Mariah Carey, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Mary J. Blige, Ginuwine, Keyshia Cole, Tamia and Janet Jackson have also sampled the girl group.[66][68][69]

Their songs have also been covered by artists such as

Patti La Belle, Maysa, The Temptations, Will Downing and Nancy Wilson, backed by The Emotions, and Bobby Caldwell[66]

The Emotions have also influenced artists such as

Fantasia.[82]

Accolades

Grammy Awards

[2]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1978
 "Best of My Love" Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus Won
1980
 "Boogie Wonderland" Best Disco Recording Nominated

Rhythm & Blues Foundation

[56]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2001
Rhythm & Blues Foundation
 Pioneer Award Won

Discography

Main article: The Emotions discography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Dahl, Bill. "The Emotions Biography". AllMusic.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Emotions". grammy.com. The Recording Academy.
  3. ^ "From The Andrews Sisters To Pussy Riot, The Most Influential Girl Groups Of All Time". vh1.com. VH1. March 13, 2015. Archived from the original on May 15, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Rockwell, John (August 21, 1977). "An "Emotional" Success Story". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "The Emotions". stax.com. Stax Records. April 10, 2019.
  6. ^ Osorio Colon, Marisa (January 26, 1995). "Grammy Winners Reunite to Prove They're 'Bigger Than Bubblegum'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015.
  7. ^ D’Agostino, John (February 14, 1991). "Musical Emotions Return With Melodic Sound: Singers: The Emotions, a trio of sisters, revives its career as musical tastes return to tuneful songs". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ^ "The Emotions: So I Can Love You". 45worlds.com.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "The Emotions: (Top R&B Albums)". Billboard.com.
  10. ^ a b c "The Emotions: (Hot 100)". billboard.com. Billboard.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "The Emotions: (Hot R&B Songs)". billboard.com. Billboard.
  12. ^ "The Emotions: Untouched". 45worlds.com.
  13. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "The Emotions: Songs of Innocence and Experience - Review". AllMusic.
  14. ^ Holmes II, Emory (June 5, 2003). "The Woodstock of soul". Los Angeles Times.
  15. Baltimore Sun
    .
  16. The Golden Globes
    .
  17. ^ "The Emotions: Flowers". 45worlds.com.
  18. ^ a b c "The Emotions; (Billboard 200)". billboard.com. Billboard.
  19. RIAA
    .
  20. ^ a b "The Emotions: (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.com.
  21. RIAA
    .
  22. ^ "The Emotions". theamas.com. American Music Awards.
  23. RIAA
    .
  24. ^ "The Emotions: Sunshine". 45worlds.
  25. ^ Shearlaw, John (February 4, 1978). "The Emotions: Sunshine" (PDF). Record Mirror. p. 12 – via americanradiohistory.com.
  26. ^ Marsh, Dave (December 15, 1977). "Hot Rods' album relies on originals". The Daily Item. Rolling Stone. p. 7 – via newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Sunshine by The Emotions". secondhandsongs.com.
  28. High Fidelity Magazine
    . p. 159.
  29. ^ Clark, Glenn (September 30, 1978). "The Emotions: Sunbeam". newspapers.com. Morning Call. p. 52.
  30. RIAA
    .
  31. Official Charts
    .
  32. ^ "EARTH, WIND & FIRE; BOOGIE WONDERLAND". RIAA. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  33. ^ "Earth Wind & Fire; Boogie Wonderland". BPI. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  34. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". grammy.com. The Recording Academy. June 28, 2023.
  35. ^ "The Emotions: Come into Our World". 45worlds.com.
  36. ^ Wall, Jon (January 19, 1980). "The Emotions: Come into Our World". Melody Maker. p. 20.
  37. Baltimore Sun
    . p. 15.
  38. ^ "Maurice White". grammy.com. The Recording Academy. June 28, 2023.
  39. ^ Jennifer Holliday: Feel My Soul. Geffen Records. 1983.
  40. ^ "Jennifer Holliday". grammy.com. The Recording Academy. June 28, 2023.
  41. ^ Earth, Wind & Fire: Electric Universe. Columbia Records. 1983.
  42. ^ The Emotions: Sincerely. Red Label Records. 1984.
  43. ^ Blues & Soul Hiplist. Blues & Soul. April 24, 1984.
  44. ^ Hillson, Dave. "The Emotions: Sincerely". bluesandsoul.com. Blues & Soul.
  45. ^ Wyatt, Hugh (June 1, 1984). "The Emotions: Sincerely". newspapers.com. New York Daily News. p. 470.
  46. Official Charts
    .
  47. ^ Blues & Soul Hiplist. Blues & Soul. March 27, 1984.
  48. Motown Records
    . 1985.
  49. ^ Blues & Soul Hiplist. Blues & Soul. April 16, 1985.
  50. ^ "Tyler Collins: Girls Nite Out". genius.com.
  51. ^ "Tyler Collins: (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". billboard.com.
  52. ^ "L.L. Cool J: Mr. Smith". riaa.
  53. ^ "Smokey Robinson". grammy.com. June 28, 2023.
  54. ^ "Smokey Robinson: Intimate". AllMusic.
  55. ^ Reiss, Randy (October 27, 1998). "R&B Trio's Success a Matter of Divine Intervention". mtv.com. MTV.
  56. ^
    Rhythm & Blues Foundation
    .
  57. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
  58. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: (Adult Contemporary Songs)". Billboard.com.
  59. ISSN 0261-3077
    . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  60. ^ "70s Soul Superstars". PBS Hawaii. March 3, 2020.
  61. ^ Snoop Dogg: Tha Blue Carpet Treatment (Bonus Tracks). Doggy style/Geffen Records. 2006.
  62. ^ "Snoop Dogg: Tha Blue Carpet Treatment". riaa.com.
  63. ^ "Terrace Martin: Velvet Portraits". AllMusic.
  64. RIAA
    .
  65. ^ "'Best of My Love' Emotions Singer Pamela Hutchinson Dead at 61". Tmz.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  66. ^ a b c "The Emotions". secondhandsongs.com.
  67. ^ Kelley, Frannie (November 4, 2011). "When Old School Was New: Big Daddy Kane's 'Ain't No Half-Steppin'". Georgia Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  68. ^ "The Emotions". genius.com.
  69. ^ Frere-Jones, Sasha (April 3, 2006). "Mariah Carey's record-breaking career". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  70. ^ Hunt, Dennis (June 21, 1992). "EN VOGUE: Off to a Fast Start and Making a Supreme Effort". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015.
  71. ^ Cho, Jaeki. "9th Wonder Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records". Complex.
  72. ^ Johnson, Connie (December 29, 1986). "Anita Baker breaks out of Pop pack". Los Angeles Times.
  73. ^ Anita Baker [@IAMANITABAKER] (August 6, 2014). "y'all Bettah SANG...EMOTIONS!! YES. YESSS!! :) Stomps Foot/Drops Mic.. (Eddie Murphy Sexual Choclate Voice)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  74. ^ "I Love Your Smile, Voice Coach Sally b. Interviews Legendary R&b Star, Shanice". blogtalkradio.com. October 24, 2015.
  75. Washington Post
    .
  76. ^ "Lalah Hathaway". twitter.com.
  77. ^ Hunt, Dennis (May 5, 1993). "Turning Jade to Gold: With a Steady-Selling Album and Hit Single, the R&B Trio Is Proving a Worthy Investment for Its Creator, Giant Records". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015.
  78. ProQuest 437695043
    .
  79. ^ "Kirk Whalum On The Emotions: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown". yahoo.com. June 15, 2012.
  80. ^ 'Fabulous Easton turns Dance Diva. Vol. 112. Billboard Magazine. November 11, 2000. pp. 18 & 24.
  81. ^ "TEENA MARIE CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH 'CONGO SQUARE'". eurweb.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009.
  82. ^ "The Making of an Idol". Time. May 16, 2004.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Emotions&oldid=1212216426"