Annette Sterling
| Annette Simmons | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Annette Beard |
| Born | July 4, 1943 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, doo-wop, rock'n'roll, soul, funk, disco |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1957–present |
| Labels | Checkmate, Mel-O-Dy, Tamla, Gordy MOTOWN. Universal MUSIC . |
| Associated acts | The Del-Phis, The Vels, Martha and the Vandellas, The Original Vandellas. |
Annette Simmons (born July 4, 1943), formerly known as Annette Beard is an American R&B and soul singer. Beard is best known for her work with Motown and as an original member of the singing group Martha and the Vandellas during the 1960s. Beard is currently known as a member of the singing group The Original Vandellas.
Born in Detroit, Michigan to Ann and Roger El Wood Beard, Annette started singing in church choirs at an early age. When she was fourteen, she was discovered by a man named Edward "Pops" Larkins, who was holding auditions for a female group at the local YMCA to complement a male group he had started.
Fourteen-year-old Annette impressed him with a single note and she joined friends Rosalind Ashford and Gloria Williams to form the original version of The Del-Phis in 1957. The group performed at local get-togethers, high school parties, YMCA benefits and lawn parties. Annette, who was a shy girl growing up, did not mind singing background behind Gloria Williams, then the original lead singer of the group. Fellow Detroit singer Martha Reeves would replace a departing fourth member in 1960.
In 1961, Annette graduated from Southeastern High School and Rosiland Ashford graduated from Wilbur Wright High School that same year. With graduation behind them, it was time for serious considerations of their options and what the future held for them.
After changing their name to The Vels, the group recorded for local Motown subsidiaries Mel-O-Dy and Tamla usually singing background for local Detroit acts such as The Elgins' Saundra Mallett. In 1962, frustrated by the group's slow development and sensing a break-up, Williams left the group. Afterwards, Annette, Martha and Rosalind sang together on Marvin Gaye's hits "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", "Hitch Hike" and "Pride and Joy".
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