Gloria Williams

Gloria Williams (August 1, 1942 - July 5, 2000)[1] was an American singer notable for being the original lead singer of an early incarnation of Martha and the Vandellas under the name, The Del-Phis.

Born Gloria Jean Williamson in Detroit, Michigan in 1942, Williams auditioned for a spot in a girl group in 1957, and found herself accompanying Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford and Martha Reeves in the christened Del-Phis.[2][3]

The group performed in benefits and high school parties before being signed to the Chess Records subsidiary Checkmate (later bought by Motown Records), where the group recorded a single, "I'll Let You Know", with Williams on lead. Once at Motown, the group during this period sung backing vocals for other acts/artists on studio recordings, such as Marvin Gaye. Williams sung lead on an early single, "There He Is (At My Door)", on the Mel-O-Dy subsidiary of Motown after the group changed their name to The Vels. On the single's flip side, "You'll Never Cherish A Love So True", she shares the lead with Rosalind Ashford, who recorded a spoken part.[1][2]

However, when the single flopped, a frustrated Williams left the group leaving the band as a trio. The group went on to international fame with Reeves as lead singer under the name of Martha and the Vandellas.[1]

Williams died of diabetes complications in Detroit on July 5, 2000. She was 57 years old.