Mable John was the first female artist signed by Berry Gordy, Jr. to the Tamla label, which preceded Motown by more than two years, and one of the few artists to record for the top two labels for 1960s soul, Motown and Stax. John's three single releases were part of an unsuccessful blues fling for the company; besides Mable John, Gordy released blues sides by Sammy Ward, Luther Allison, Amos Milburn, Earl King, Arthur Adams, and many others.
The eldest of nine siblings (one of whom was legendary R&B artist Little Willie John, of "Fever" and "Talk to Me" fame), Mable John was ...