The Spinners
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Biography
With their sweet harmonies and strutting funk rhythms, The Spinners helped define the exultant sound of soul in the 1970s and scored a string timeless pop hits that continue to fill dancefloors today. Formed in 1954 by Henry Fambrough in the housing projects of Detroit, Michigan, they took their name as a nod to the spinning wheels of the city's auto industry and debuted with the single âThat's What Girls Are Made Forâ in 1961 (featuring a young Marvin Gaye on drums). They were part of the legendary Motown Records roster and had hits with âI'll Always Love Youâ and âIt's A Shameâ (written and produced by Stevie Wonder), but were overshadowed by The Temptations, Four Tops, and the great harmony groups of the era. However, things picked up when they left Motown for Atlantic Records in the 1970s and the influence of funk, disco, and R&B transformed their innocent, sugar pop melodies into swaggering, anthemic, modern soul. The classic line-up of Fambrough, Phillippe Wynne, Bobby Smith, Billy Henderson, and Pervis Jackson produced the Top 10 hits âI'll Be Around,â âCould It Be I'm Falling In Love,â and the chart-topping duet âThen Came Youâ with Dionne Warwick, as they rose to become one of the top soul acts around. Albums New And Improved (1974) and Pick Of The Litter (1975) both made the US Top 10 and singles âGames People Play,â âCupid,â and âThe Rubberband Manâ brought more success. But their signature hit âWorking My Way Back To Youâ remains their finest moment, reaching Number 2 in the US charts and becoming a much-loved, pop classic. Still touring with remaining original member Fambrough, the group were inducted into the Vocal Hall of Fame in 1999 and had their track âAre You Ready For Loveâ recorded by Elton John in 2003. Outside of the US, the group was often called The Detroit Spinners to avoid confusion with the UK folk band also called The Spinners. Longtime â and founding - member Billy Henderson (1954-2004) died in 2007 and was followed a year later by Pervis Jackson (1954-2008). Bobby Smith (1954-2013) passed away in 2013. The groupâs founder â and longest tenured member - Henry Fambrough died on February 7, 2024, at the age of 85. He had led the iconic group for 70 years.
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Albums
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- Working My Way Back to You / Forgive Me, Girl
- The Rubberband Man
- It's A Shame
- I'll Be Around
- Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
- Games People Play
- Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time
- One Of A Kind (Love Affair)
- Mighty Love
- Sadie
- Then Came You
- One Of A Kind (Love Affair)
- Barnyards of Delgaty
- Just As Long As We Have Love
- All That Glitters Ain't Gold
- I Found Love (When I Found You)
- I Must Be Living For A Broken Heart
- You're The Love Of My Life
- Me And My Music
- Just To Be With You
- Honey, I'm In Love With You
- You're Throwing A Good Love Away
- Living A Little, Laughing A Little
- Not Just Another Lover
