Executives at Stax Records sliced Wendy Rene (born Mary Frierson) from the Drapels, who released two singles before the separation. Stax employee/artist/songwriter Deannie Parker created the catchy name. A month after Stax issued the final Drapels' single, they issued "After Laughter Comes Tears" (August 1964) and credited it solely to Wendy Rene, though the Drapels recorded the song as a unit. The diss prompted Wilbur Mondie to leave for college, and Rene's brother Johnny Frierson and Marianne Brittenum (the other members) to have second thoughts. The heartfelt ballad became ...