The Emotions

A trio of sisters with a strong gospel base, the Emotions (based in Chicago) were one of the leading female R&B acts of the '70s. Lead singer Sheila Hutchinson and her sisters Wanda and Jeanette were only teenagers when they crashed the soul charts in 1969 with the engaging "So I Can Love You," but they sang gospel as children and enjoyed secular fame locally before signing with Memphis-based Volt and working with producers Isaac Hayes and David Porter. When Stax folded in 1975, the group hooked up with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, an association that led to the number one pop/R&B hit "Best of My Love" in 1977.

Two years after Best of My Love, Maurice White and the Emotions collaborated on "Boogie Wonderland," which was both a number two R&B and number six pop hit. They issued three more albums on White's ARC label from 1979 to 1981, but were unable to duplicate their earlier success. They moved to the Red label for the 1984 LP Sincerely, which included the single "All Things Come in Time." They issued three other singles from the album, but none made much impact, though each one charted. They then signed with Motown, but issued only one album, If I Only Knew. Sheila Hutchinson was a featured vocalist on Garry Glenn's "Feels Good to Feel Good" in 1987. Pam and Jeanette Hutchinson did background vocals on Helen Baylor's gospel song "There's No Greater Love" in 1990. Wanda Hutchinson and Jeanette sang on Earth, Wind & Fire's Heritage in 1990.

from Wikipedia:

The Emotions are an American all female soul and R&B singing group. The group was formed in its current hometown of Chicago, Illinois originally consisting of the three Hutchinson sisters, all the children of Joseph and Lillian Hutchinson.

History

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., one son, five daughters. 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". In 1969 the girls were asked to be part of a summer outdoor concert in Rochester NY. The group caught the eye of the host of the concerts, Herb Hamlett the powerful soul DJ of WCMF FM. Father Joe was the groups guitarist and formed a friendship with Hamlett, that brought the group bookings and headliners in NewYork State.

Jeanette was married in 1970, and gave birth to her first son, Chicha. A close friend, Theresa Davis, a former member of Our Ladies Of Soul began to sing with the group. The following year, the Emotions released Untouched, their second album, which featured hits such as "Show Me How" and "If You Think It". During their Stax years, they were produced by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. By 1976 and the Flowers album, they had left Stax and Jeanette had returned to record and perform. Flowers included the hits "Flowers" and "I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love". Later Pamela began to tour live performances with the group while Jeanette pursues individual personal goals.

Success with Earth, Wind & Fire and Beyond

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. Maurice White-co-produced with Clarence McDonald the single "Best Of My Love" which spent five weeks at number-one on the US pop chart in 1977. Jeanette left in 1977, to give birth to her second child, Pili and their youngest sister Pamela was brought in to record on the album "Rejoice" and perform live dates. In 1978, Jeanette returned to the group. In collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire the group scored big with the 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. Their last recording to date was 1996's "The Emotions Live" released on their own record label Sunbeam Records.

The Emotions today

The Emotions, continue to perform with Wanda, Pamela, and Sheila. They continue to perform and make personal appearances. Wanda has three daughters, two of whom plan to enter the music industry themselves.

Influence

The Emotions' 1972 Stax track "Blind Alley" formed the basis for Mariah Carey's 1993 Billboard chart-topping hit "Dreamlover" and also the famous "Pink Cookies In a Plastic Bag" by LL Cool J. Carey continued to show her love with the 1991 hit "Emotions", which samples "Best of My Love". "Blind Alley" was previously sampled in 1988 for Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't No Half Steppin'". The Cheryl Lynn hit "Got To Be Real" is based on the bridge of "Best of My Love". Late 1970s family trio, The Jones Girls, was also influenced by the Emotions' sound.