The Emotions
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| The Emotions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois | |
| Genre(s) | R&B, soul music, disco | |
| Years active | 1968-present | |
| Label(s) | Stax, Volt, Columbia, Motown, Raging Bull | |
| Website | TheEmotionsWeb.com | |
| Members | ||
| Pamela Hutchinson Sheila Hutchinson Wanda Hutchinson |
||
| Former members | ||
| Jeanette Hutchinson Theresa Davis |
||
The Emotions are an all female, soul, disco, and R&B singing group, that was most successful during the late-1970s and 1980s. The group was formed in their hometown of Chicago, Illinois in 1968, and originally consisted of the three Hutchinson sisters, all the children of Joseph and Lillian Hutchinson
Contents |
[edit] Main personnel
- Jeanette Hutchinson (born in 1951)
- Wanda Hutchinson (born 17 December 1951)
- Sheila Hutchinson (born 17 January 1953)
[edit] History
[edit] Origins and early years
Joseph had prayed for talented children before the girls were born, and wasted no time in developing their musical skills. As soon as the girls could talk, he began teaching them music skills, and had them practice in the basement of their home on the south side of Chicago. When Sheila, the youngest, was five years old, they began singing in church choirs and were known as the Hutchinson Sunbeams. Joseph's son, Joseph, Jr. (born 1957) would eventually become the Sunbeams' guitarist.
In 1968, the girls changed their name to The Emotions, and released their first album, So I Can Love You, the following year. The album's title track, written by Sheila, was a minor hit single, as was "The Best Part Of A Love Affair".
Jeanette was married in 1970, and quit the act once she became pregnant with her first son, Chicha. She was replaced by a close friend, Theresa Davis, who was in turn replaced by another Hutchinson sister, Pamela. The following year, the Emotions released Untouched, their second album, which featured hits such as "Show Me How" and "If You Think It". By 1976 and the Sunshine and Flowers album, Jeanette had returned to the act. Sunshine and Flowers included songs such as "Baby I’m Though", "Anyway You Look At It", "Shouting Out Love", "Flowers", and "I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love".
[edit] Success with Earth, Wind & Fire
Their association with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire brought them their greatest success. With White's assistance, the Emotions released the albums Rejoice and Sunbeam in 1977 and 1978. The White-produced single "Best Of My Love" spending five weeks at number-one on the US pop chart in 1977. Jeanette left the act for the second time in 1977, to give birth to her second child, Pili, whose father is Phillip Bailey from Earth, Wind & Fire.
In 1978, Jeanette returned to the act, and the group collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire on another single, "Boogie Wonderland", which was a top 10 hit in 1979. The group continued to record together during the 1980s, and were signed briefly with Motown Records at one point. However, they were not able to repeat the success they had during the disco period.
[edit] The Emotions today
The Emotions, today comprised of Wanda, Pamela, and Sheila Hutchinson, released their final album in 1990. They continue to perform and make personal appearances. Wanda, now married, resides in Glendale, California and has three daughters, two of which plan to enter the music industry themselves. Pamela lives in Hollywood, California with her husband and daughter. Sheila still resides in Chicago, where she takes care of her mother Lillian, her youngest sister Keena, and Keena’s daughter (Joseph Hutchinson died in 1985).
[edit] Discography
- So I Can Love You (Stax, 1970)
- Songs of Love (Volt, 1971)
- Untouched (Volt, 1972)
- Flowers (Columbia, 1976)
- Rejoice (Columbia, 1977)
- Sunbeam (Columbia, 1978)
- Come Into Our World (Columbia, 1979)
- New Affair (Columbia, 1981)
- Sincerely (Red Label, 1984)
- If I Only Knew (Motown, 1985)
- Best Of My Love: The Best Of The Emotions (Columbia/Legacy, 1996)
- Emotions Live in '96 (Raging Bull, 1996)
- Love Songs (Columbia/Legacy, 1996)
- Live (Thump, 2004)
[edit] Trivia
- The Emotions' 1970 Stax hit "Blind Alley" formed the basis for Mariah Carey's 1993 Billboard chart-topping hit "Dreamlover".
