B-13 Peer Review Presents: The Jones Girls

 

An American R&B vocal trio of sisters from Detroit, Michigan, United States. Consisting of Brenda, Shirley and Valorie Jones, The Jones Girls first signed and recorded for GM Records in 1970. The trio were best known for their singles during the late–1970s through the 1980s; most notably 1979's "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else". After a six–year tenure with GM, they then recorded for Philadelphia International Records with Gamble & Huff.

The Jones Girls perform “You Gonna Make Love Somebody Else”   2,566 views

The group consisted of sisters Brenda (December 7, 1954 – April 3, 2017), Valorie (April 17, 1956 – December 2, 2001) and Shirley Jones (born September 22, 1953). They performed as backup singers for Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin, and Le Pamplemousse. They worked with Diana Ross from 1975 to 1978 and were the backup singers on Linda Clifford's 1978 album If My Friends Could See Me Now. They also performed on Tower of Power's disco-themed 1979 album Back on the Streets. Their biggest hit was "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else." 

The song hit the Billboard Magazine Top 40 at number 38 in May 1979. The song was also a Top 5 R&B hit. It became a gold record. An additional hit followed in 1980, with the single "I Just Love The Man," charting at number 9 in January 1981.

The Jones Girls performing “I Just Love The Man”           37,550 views

The less successful "Nights Over Egypt" (1981), written by Dexter Wansel, charted at R&B number 23 in 1982.

The Jones Girls - "Nights Over Egypt"                         392,833 views

After the release and failure of their fourth U.S. album, On Target, lead singer Shirley Jones pursued a solo career and had a number 1 R&B hit on Billboard with "Do You Get Enough Love", from her top-ten debut album Always in the Mood (1986). "Do You Get Enough Love" was written by Bunny Sigler who also produced it with Kenny Gamble. Valorie Jones died on December 2, 2001, in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 45. In 2007, Shirley Jones released an album Ladies Night Out together with Jean Carn and Cherrelle, on CD and DVD.

Shirley Jones - "Do You Get Enough Love"                29,210 views

Brenda eventually moved to Atlanta, where she sang frequently with her four-piece band, performing both jazz and R&B numbers, including many Jones Girls' tunes. She later moved to New York after her children were grown, to have a more active performing and recording schedule. On April 3, 2017, she was visiting her daughter in Wilmington, Delaware, and was hit by several cars and killed while attempting to cross the street. She was 62. Shirley continues to perform successfully as The Jones Girls with two of her nieces and a nephew on background vocals.

Covers

"Who Can I Run To", from the band's self-titled 1979 debut album, was covered by Xscape in 1995. Their cover version became a number 1 R&B and number 8 pop hit. The original version was the 

"Nights Over Egypt" was covered by Incognito in their album, No Time Like The Future, and by Dexter Wansel himself in 2019.

Sadly, Brenda Jones, 62, of the Jones Girls was killed when she was struck by several cars while on the way to visit her daughter in Wilmington, Delaware.

Vallerie Jones died, April 3rd 2001 at the age of 45. Cause of death has not been announced. 

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