The Emotions are an American soul/R&B vocal group from Chicago. The group started out in gospel music but transitioned into R&B and disco music. The Emotions were named by VH1 as one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time.[1][2][3]
The group was originally a gospel outfit known as the Hutchinson Sunbeams who toured the gospel circuit with their father Joe Hutchinson. The Sunbeams sang on Jerry Van Dyke’s “Children’s Gospel” television show and also occasionally performed in the concert with Mahalia Jackson. They eventually became an R&B/Soul act with a popular following in their hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Soon being renamed as The Emotions, and now managed by Pervis Staples (formerly with the Staple Singers, another father/children gospel group),[4] they signed with the Memphis-based Volt imprint of Stax Records in the late 1960s.[5][6][7][8] Under the production of Isaac Hayes and David Porter the group issued their 1969 debut album entitled So I Can Love You on Stax.[9]
"So I Can Love You" reached No. 43 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.[10] The album's "title track peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 39 on the Hot 100.[11][12] The single, "The Best Part of a Love Affair", peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.[12]
In 1970, "Heart Association" was released as single and reached No. 29 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.[12] They releaseed their second album, Untouched, in 1972 on Stax Records.[13] "Show Me How" was released as a single from the album and reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.[12]
In 1972, the group released three more singles, each reaching the Billboard Soul Singles chart: "My Honey and Me" peaked at No. 18, "I Could Never Be Happy" reached No. 23, and "From Toys to Boys" climbed to No. 37.[12]
The Emotions then started to work on their third studio album entitled Songs of Innocence and Experience. This LP was due to be issued in 1973, but was eventually shelved. The girl group went on to appear in the 1973 feature film Wattstax, performing the song "Peace Be Still." The tune went on to be added to the movie's soundtrack. Wattstax was also nominated for a Golden Globe in the category of Best Documentary. With Stax becoming defunct in 1975, the group then left the record label altogether.[14][15][16][17]
The group then joined up with Columbia Records where an association with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire brought them their greatest level of success.[1] With White and Charles Stepney on production, The Emotions issued in 1976 their third studio album Flowers on Columbia Records.[18] Flowers rose to No. 5 upon the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 45 on the Billboard 200. The album was also certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.[10][19][20] The LP's title track got to No. 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. Another single called "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and No. 13 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.[21][12]
Following Charles Stepney's death in 1976, White took over producing the Emotions.[5] During June 1977 the group issued their follow up album entitled Rejoice.[22] The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. Rejoice has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.[23][10][19]
With the LP came the single “Don't Ask My Neighbors" which got to the top ten on the Billboard R&B singles charts. Another song called "Best of My Love" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals, as well as an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single.[11][12][2][24] "Best of My Love" has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.[25]
A compilation album entitled Sunshine was, in November 1977, released by Stax. Sunshine got to No. 39 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.[26][10] Dave Marsh of Rolling Stone found the album "is harder edged, more classically soulful than (Rejoice)." John Shearlaw of Record Mirror exclaimed "Old Emotions, new Emotions-they're just as good."[27][28] Covers of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Carla Thomas' "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" appeared on the album.[29] Whilst the album cut "Shouting Out Love" peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[12]
During April 1978, the Emotions issued Sunbeam, their third studio album on Columbia. The album rose to No. 12 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on the Billboard 200 chart.[19][10] John Storm Roberts of High Fidelity stated ""Sunbeam" sparkles with good tracks."[30] Glenn Clark of The Morning Call wrote "The best thing I can say about this LP is that I like it. The Emotions' brand of snappy and upbeat soul is good for my soul. Maurice White, guru of Earth, Wind & Fire, produced this album, and I think he has blended well the talent he has brought together."[31] At this time, Wanda began dating Brothers Johnson keyboardist Wayne Vaughn, and the two composed "Come into My World" together. They were married in 1980 or '81, and continued to write songs as a team.[32]
Sunbeam has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.[33] An album cut called Smile reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[12]
During 1979, Earth, Wind & Fire collaborated with The Emotions on the single "Boogie Wonderland". The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 on the UK Pop Singles and No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Songs charts.[34][11][12] "Boogie Wonderland" has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA and Platinum in the UK by the BPI.[35][36] "Boogie Wonderland" was also Grammy nominated in the categories of Best R&B Instrumental Performance and Best Disco Recording.[37][2]
Within October of that year the Emotions issued their follow up studio album again produced by White entitled Come into Our World upon Columbia, which rose to no. 35 upon the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. Jon Wall of Melody Maker wrote "throughout Come into Our World The Emotions' superb vocal control, range and harmonic sense are displayed to maximum effect". Wall also added "Come into Our World is one of the most appealing albums I've heard since Off the Wall. I can't get the album off the turntable and I don't want to". Bill Rhedon of The Baltimore Sun noted that the album has "excellent material" with "simply steady, unvarying Coming at You, Soul." A song called "What's the Name of Your Love?" also got to no. 30 upon the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.[38][39][40][12][10] As well Maurice White went on to be Grammy nominated in the category of Producer of the Year Non-Classical.[41]
Wanda and Jeanette went on to appear on Jennifer Holliday's Grammy nominated 1983 LP Feel My Soul. Pamela and Wanda also featured on Earth, Wind & Fire's 1983 album Electric Universe.[42][43][44]
The Emotions' eighth studio album entitled Sincerely was issued in 1984 on Red Label Records.[45] The album rose to No. 3 on the UK Blues & Soul Hiplist chart and No. 33 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.[46][10] Dave Hillson of Blues & Soul said The Emotions "caught the mood of eighties Soul perfectly".[47] Hugh Wyatt of the New York Daily News declared "this album is top shelf".[48] As a single, "You're the One" reached No. 19 on the UK Blues & Soul Hiplist chart, No. 34 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and No. 11 on the UK Physical Singles chart.[49][50][12] Another single called "You're the Best" rose to No. 33 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.[21] During 1985 the group also issued their subsequent studio LP entitled If I Only Knew on Motown Records. The album got to No. 11 on the UK Blues & Soul Hiplist chart.[51][52]
The Emotions went on to feature on Tyler Collins 1989 album Girls Nite Out. A song off the LP that the girl group sang on called "Watcha Gonna Do?" rose to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[53][54]
Jeanette and Wanda then appeared upon EWF's 1990 album Heritage. The Emotions also guested upon Nancy Wilson's 1990 album A Lady with a Song and jazz group Urban Knights's 1995 LP Urban Knights I. They then featured on LL Cool J's 1995 LP Mr. Smith which has been certified Double Platinum in the US by the RIAA.[1][55] The Emotions also appeared on George Duke's 1995 album Illusions and the Gospel Gangstaz's 1996 album Do or Die. During 1998 they featured on an episode of Motown Live with fellow girl group Divine and made a guest appearance on Smokey Robinson's 1999 Grammy nominated album Intimate.[1][56][57][58]
During 2000, Pamela eventually rejoined the group.[1] A year later they were bestowed with the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.[59] The Emotions went on to guest upon Earth, Wind & Fire's 2003 album The Promise, which was produced by Maurice White. A song from the album featuring The Emotions called "All in the Way" rose to No. 13 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 25 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart.[60][61][62] As well the group appeared on a 2004 PBS soul music special hosted by Patti LaBelle where they performed "Best Of My Love".[63] Within September of that year, Songs of Innocence and Experience were finally released by Stax.[14]
The Emotions went on to collaborate with rapper Snoop Dogg on a track called "Life" upon his 2006 album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment.[64] The album has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.[65] The Emotions also appeared as a guest artist upon Terrace Martin's 2016 Grammy nominated album Velvet Portraits.[66][67]
On September 18, 2020, Pamela Hutchinson died at the age of 61.[68]
The Emotions have been sampled by rappers such as Big Daddy Kane, Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J, Wu Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Salt-N-Pepa, De La Soul, Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest and The Notorious B.I.G.[69][70]
Artists such as Toni Braxton, 112, Mariah Carey, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Mary J. Blige, Ginuwine, Keyshia Cole, Tamia and Janet Jackson have also sampled the girl group.[69][71][72]
Their songs have also been covered by artists such as Phoebe Snow, Minnie Riperton, Marcia Hines, Patti La Belle, Maysa, The Temptations, Will Downing and Nancy Wilson, backed by The Emotions, and Bobby Caldwell[69]
The Emotions have also influenced artists such as En Vogue,[73] Destiny's Child,[74] Anita Baker,[75][76] Shanice,[77] Regina Belle,[78] Lalah Hathaway,[79] Jade,[80] Erykah Badu,[81] Kirk Whalum,[82] Sheena Easton,[83] Teena Marie[84] and Fantasia.[85]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | "Best of My Love" | Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus | Won |
| 1980 | "Boogie Wonderland" | Best Disco Recording | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Rhythm & Blues Foundation | Pioneer Award | Won |
| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
| Other | |
editors
This is the start of the #editors chat. #editors is a chat channel to discuss collecting and organizing hub content.
