The Jones Girls comprised of:
Brenda Elaine Jones Williams (b. 7th December 1954, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. d. 3rd April 2017, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.)
Shirley Yvonne Jones (b. 22nd September 1953, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.)
and
Valorie Denise Jones (b. 17th April 1956, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. d. 2nd December 2001, Sinai Grace Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.).
mary frazier jones
The Jones Girls were, originally, from Detroit and were the daughters of the singer Mary Frazier Jones (the spelling on the sleeve above is incorrect according to Brenda).
shirley, brenda and valorie with mother mary frazier jones
The came to fame after working with Diana Ross on a U.S. tour.
The Girls had toured with the Four Tops additionally, as well as Little Richard, The Impressions and B.B. King.
learn how to love b/w my own special way - 1970 / come back b/w the only bargain i've got - 1972
In 1970, they recorded the songs 'Learn How To Love' (on Ember Records) and 'My Own Special Way' (on Ember Records, additionally).
A year later, saw the release of 'Oh I Feel Good' and 'Put A Little Love In Your Heart'.
In 1972, they had further singles released including 'Come Back' (on the Music Merchant imprint, a subsidiary of the Holland / Dozier / Holland Invictus label), 'You're The Only Bargain I've Got' and 'Your Love Controls Me' (on the Music Merchant imprint).
taster of the honey - 1973 / if you don't love me no more b/w if you don't start nothing - 1974
1973, saw the single 'Taster Of The Honey' released on the Music Merchant imprint.
if you don't love me no more b/w if you don't start nothing
Early in 1974, the Girls recorded two songs entitled ''If You Don't Love Me No More' (Paramount 0279) b/w 'If You Don't Start Nothing', which were initially released on that Paramount imprint.
will you be there - 1974 / i turn to you b/w misteri - 1975
In 1974, their attributed debut single entitled 'Will You Be There' was released for the Paramount imprint (Paramount 0921), a song that was accompanied by the single 'I Need You' for the same label.
It was through their association with the Impressions, that the Girls met Curtis Mayfield who took them to his, Chicago based, Curtom Imprint, where they recorded several sides.
These included 'I Turn To You' (Curtom 0102), in 1975 and the songs 'Misteri' ('Mister-I') and 'Hey Lucinda' b/w 'Dr Big Smile' (CMS 0108).
At this time the Girls recorded several sides that were never released.
These included 'Treat Me Like A Lady', 'Waiting For The Last Goodbye', 'The Proof Is In The Pudding', 'Man On The Take' and 'Plain Jane'.
brass fever - time is running out
In 1976, the group were featured vocalists on the ABC album release by Brass Fever, 'Time Is Running Out'.
By 1978 they had sang background vocals for Aretha Franklin on the Curtis Mayfield produced outing 'Almighty Fire'.
They later recorded with Linda Clifford on 'Runaway Love' before the tour that took them to a higher level with Diana Ross.
with diana ross
The Jones Girls accompanied Diana on a marathon tour which took them to Philadelphia and to the attention of Kenny Gamble.
They had also worked with Diana Ross in the studio, however, none of these sides have seen the light of day.
At Philadelphia International, they provided background vocals for other artists at the label.
These include Dexter Wansel, Lou Rawls and Jean Carn.
Kenny Gamble recruited the Girls to his Philadelphia International imprint in 1979 and a series of excellent album releases followed.
the jones girls - 1979 / at peace with woman - 1980 / get as much love as you can - 1981 / on target - 1983
There they released four albums, 'The Jones Girls' in 1979, (including 'This Feeling's Killing Me', 'You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else' and 'Life Goes On'), 'At Peace With Woman' in 1980, (including 'Dance Turned Into A Romance', 'When I'm Gone' and 'Let's Celebrate'), 'Get As Much Love As You Can' in 1981, (including 'Nights Over Egypt' and 'Love Don't Ever Say Goodbye'), and 'Keep It Comin' in 1984, (including 'You Can't Have My Love' and 'Ah Ah Ah Ah', a collaboration with Keni Burke).
Away from Philadelphia they provided background vocals for the likes of , Freda Payne, Lamont Dozier, Thelma Houston, Norman Connors ('Take It To The Limit'), Prince Phillip Mitchell ('Make It Good'), L.J. Reynolds, Michael Pedicin Jr, Glenn Jones ('I Am Somebody'), Margie Joseph, Brass Fever ('Time Is Running Out'), Walter Jackson, George Duke, Noel Pointer and Bobby Wilson.
keep it comin' - 1984 / coming back - 1992
In 1983 they relocated from Philadelphia International to the RCA imprint for one album entitled 'On Target', (including '2 Win U Back', 'On Target' and 'Knockin').
1984's release, 'Keep It Comin' saw a return to the Philadelphia International imprint.
Shirley Jones debut solo album 'Always In The Mood' was released in 1986 and charted with the single 'Do You Get Enough Love?'.
l to r: brenda, shirley and valorie in 1992
Valorie Denise Jones, sadly, died in 2001. She was 45 years old.
Brenda Elaine Jones Williams, was tragically killed in an automobile accident in April 2017.
brenda, shirley & valorie
https://www.facebook.com/The-Jones-Girls-167048646756292/
Albums:
The Jones Girls (Philadelphia International Records 1979)
At Peace With Woman (Philadelphia International Records 1980)
Get As Much Love As You Can (Philadelphia International Records 1982)
On Target (RCA Records 1983)
Keep It Comin' (Philadelphia International Records 1984)
Solo: Shirley Jones: Always In The Mood (Philadelphia International Records 1986)
Coming Back (Sequel Records 1992)
Keeping Up With The Joneses (Sequel Records 2000)
