Motown Records was founded by Berry Gordy in 1959, a bold adventure that very quickly became the sound of young America. Motown had the best and brightest black American talent, an extraordinary team of songwriters, and the legendary Funk Brothers house band.
But what was Motown’s first number one hit? You win big at music trivia if your answer is Please Mister Postman, by the Marvelettes, released in August 1961. Wanda Young sang on that record at age 18, the oldest group member at the time.
Wanda eventually took over as lead singer, with the great Smokey Robinson writing songs specifically for her voice and style. Wanda died in December – she was 78.
Tune in to the story of Wanda Young, the Marvelettes and Please Mister Postman, the song that was heard all around the world.
