Georgeanna Tillman | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Tillman in 1963 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Georgeanna Marie Tillman |
| Also known as | Georgeanna Tillman Gordon |
| Born | (1944-02-06)February 6, 1944 Inkster,Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | January 6, 1980(1980-01-06) (aged 35) Inkster, Michigan, U.S. |
| 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 theMotown girl groupthe Marvelettes.
Tillman was born and raised in the Detroit suburb ofInkster, 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 formerInkster High School glee club membersGladys Horton,Katherine Anderson and Juanita Cowart.[3] Georgia Dobbins was later added to the lineup by Horton.[4]
The group called themselvesThe 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 tothe Marvelettes shortly after Motown signed the act, and Dobbins was replaced byWanda Young.[4] In 1961, the group released "Please Mr. Postman" in 1961.[4] The single would top the charts, peaking at No. 1 on theBillboard 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 withlupus, and still suffering fromsickle 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 toLos Angeles.[2]
Tillman married Billy Gordon, lead singer ofthe 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 inBelleville, Michigan.[9][1]
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