© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Book chronicles troubled life of Motown queen Mary Wells

Wikimedia commons

In the early 1960’s, Mary Wells was the "Queen of Motown." But her life was not always so glamorous. She grew up in Detroit,  in the Black Bottom and Cass Corridor neighborhoods, yet she was determined to find a way into the music industry.

Peter Benjaminson is the author of “Mary Wells: the Tumultuous Life of Motown’s First Superstar.” He explains to Current State’s Emanuele Berry that Mary managed to get signed to Motown at age 16 by pestering Barry Gordy.

Related Content
Support Local Journalism in Mid-Michigan

Help WKAR reach 200 donations by June 20 to fund more of the fact-based reporting mid-Michigan relies on. When we hit the goal, MSU Federal Credit Union will unlock a $10,000 gift in support of your public media station.

Be one of the 200. Give now.