Sadly, singer Gladys Horton of the Marvelettes died from complications related to a stoke in Sherman Oaks two days ago (Jan. 26). The Marvelettes were the first highly successful female group on the Motown label in the '60s. They were best-known for their classic 1961 single “Please Mr. Postman,” which topped the Billboard Pop and R&B charts, giving Motown its first No. 1 hit.
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Horton was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and grew up in Inkster, Michigan, just outside Detroit. She co-founded the Marvelettes (originally, the Casinyets) at just 14 years old. She was 16 when “Please Mr. Postman” topped the charts. The group continued on with hits such as “Playboy” and “Beachwood 4-7589,” though they were soon superseded by other Motown acts such as Martha and the Vandellas and the Supremes. Horton was replaced as lead singer of the Marvelettes in 1965 and left the group shortly thereafter. She performed sporadically in the past few decades, but mostly devoted herself to the care of her disabled son. Gladys Horton was 66.
