Georgeanna Tillman | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Georgeanna Marie Tillman |
Also known as | Georgeanna Tillman Gordon |
Born | Inkster, Michigan, U.S. | February 6, 1944
Died | January 6, 1980 Inkster, Michigan, U.S. | (aged 35)
Genres | Doo wop, rock 'n' roll, R&B, soul, pop |
Occupation(s) | Singer, dancer |
Years active | 1960-1965 |
Georgeanna Marie Tillman Gordon (February 6, 1944 – January 6, 1980) was an American singer and an original member of the Motown girl group the Marvelettes.
Tillman was born and raised in the Detroit suburb of Inkster, Michigan. [1] Tillman had three sisters, Sharon, Anna Marie, and Thea, and her mother was Annabelle Tillman. [1] [2] In 1960, Tillman was recruited into a girl group with her former Inkster High School glee club members Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson and Juanita Cowart. [3] Georgia Dobbins was later added to the lineup by Horton. [4]
The group called themselves The Casinyets, short for "we can't sing yet". The group auditioned for Motown after the talent show, and while the audition was successful, [5] the group was requested to give a musical composition. [4] After Dobbins created the composition " Please Mr. Postman", Dobbins left the group after her father refused to let her perform in the group. [4] The group changed their name to the Marvelettes shortly after Motown signed the act, and Dobbins was replaced by Wanda Young. [4] In 1961, the group released " Please Mr. Postman" in 1961. [4] The single would top the charts, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Motown's first No. 1 Pop hit. The group would score hits such as such as " Playboy", " Beechwood 4-5789", "Someday, Someway", "Strange I Know", Locking Up My Heart, and " Too Many Fish in the Sea". [6] In 1965, Tillman left the group after her diagnosis with lupus, and still suffering from sickle cell disease. [6] Her doctor advised her to leave show business for good, as the disease worsened. [7] [8] She continued to work at Motown as a secretary until Motown moved to Los Angeles. [2]
Tillman married Billy Gordon, lead singer of the Contours, on August 12, 1963. [9] They have a son, Darrian. [1]
Before her death, she was a student at the Wayne County Community College and was a secretary at Plymouth State Hospital. [1] Tillman died on January 6, 1980 at her home in Inkster, Michigan from complications of lupus or sickle cell disease. [5] [9] [2] She was interred at the Metropolitan Memorial Park in Belleville, Michigan. [9] [1]