The Emotions are an American soul/R&B vocal group from Chicago. The group started out in gospel music but transitioned into R&B and disco music. The Emotions were named by VH1 as one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time.[1][2][3]
History
Early career
The group was originally a gospel outfit known as the Hutchinson Sunbeams who toured the gospel circuit with their father Joe Hutchinson. The Sunbeams sang on Jerry Van Dyke’s “Children’s Gospel” television show and also occasionally performed in the concert with Mahalia Jackson. They eventually became an R&B/Soul act with a popular following in their hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Soon being renamed as The Emotions, they signed with the Memphis-based Volt imprint of Stax Records in the late 1960s.[4][5][6][7] Under the production of Isaac Hayes and David Porter the group issued their 1969 debut album entitled So I Can Love You on Stax.[8]
"So I Can Love You" rose to no. 43 upon the BillboardTop R&B Albums chart.[9] The album's title track got to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[10][11] Another single entitled "The Best Part Of A Love Affair" rose to no. 27 upon the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.[11]
During 1970, The Emotions released a single entitled "Heart Association." That song reached No. 29 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[11] The girl group went on to release their sophomore LP entitled Untouched in 1972 upon Stax.[12] A song from the album called "Show Me How" rose to No. 13 upon the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[11]
During 1972, the girl group also released another single called "My Honey and Me." That song reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[11]
The Emotions then started to work on their third studio album entitled Songs of Innocence and Experience. This LP was due to be issued in 1973, but was eventually shelved. The girl group went on to appear in the 1973 feature film Wattstax, performing the song "Peace Be Still." The tune went on to be added to the movie's soundtrack. Wattstax was also nominated for a Golden Globe in the category of Best Documentary. With Stax becoming defunct in 1975, the group then left the record label altogether.[13][14][15][16]
Following Charles Stepney's death in 1976, White took over producing the Emotions.[4] During June 1977 the group issued their follow up album entitled Rejoice.[21] The album reached No. 1 on the BillboardTop R&B Albums chart and No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. Rejoice has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.[22][9][18]
During April 1978, the Emotions issued Sunbeam, their third studio album on Columbia. The album rose to No. 12 on the BillboardTop Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on the Billboard 200 chart.[18][9] John Storm Roberts of High Fidelity stated ""Sunbeam" sparkles with good tracks."[29] Glenn Clark of The Morning Call wrote "The best thing I can say about this LP is that I like it. The Emotions' brand of snappy and upbeat soul is good for my soul. Maurice White, guru of Earth, Wind & Fire, produced this album, and I think he has blended well the talent he has brought together."[30] At this time, Wanda began dating Brothers Johnson keyboardist Wayne Vaughn, and the two composed "Come into My World" together. They were married in 1980 or '81, and continued to write songs as a team.[31]
Within October of that year the Emotions issued their follow up studio album again produced by White entitled Come into Our World upon Columbia, which rose to no. 35 upon the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. Jon Wall of Melody Maker wrote "throughout Come into Our World The Emotions' superb vocal control, range and harmonic sense are displayed to maximum effect". Wall also added "Come into Our World is one of the most appealing albums I've heard since Off the Wall. I can't get the album off the turntable and I don't want to". Bill Rhedon of The Baltimore Sun noted that the album has "excellent material" with "simply steady, unvarying Coming at You, Soul." A song called "What's the Name of Your Love?" also got to no. 30 upon the BillboardHot R&B Songs chart.[37][38][39][11][9] As well Maurice White went on to be Grammy nominated in the category of Producer of the Year Non-Classical.[40]
During 2000, Pamela eventually rejoined the group.[1] A year later they were bestowed with the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.[58] The Emotions went on to guest upon Earth, Wind & Fire's 2003 album The Promise, which was produced by Maurice White. A song from the album featuring The Emotions called "All in the Way" rose to No. 13 on the BillboardAdult R&B Songs chart and No. 25 on the BillboardAdult Contemporary Songs chart.[59][60][61] As well the group appeared on a 2004 PBS soul music special hosted by Patti LaBelle where they performed "Best Of My Love".[62] Within September of that year, Songs of Innocence and Experience were finally released by Stax.[13]