© 2026 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
WKAR has closed the gap left by the loss of federal funding. Because of you, trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and classical music remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan.
Now the work continues — your monthly gift helps maintain this success and keeps public media free for all.