Shirley Jones (R&B singer)

Shirley Jones (born September 22, 1953) is an American R&B singer best known as a member and lead vocalist of the The Jones Girls, who were a trio of sisters that had a number of hit singles in late 1970's and early 80's. Shirley went on to have a solo career after the group disbanded in 1984.

Shirley Jones
Jones in 2015
Background information
Birth nameShirley Jones
Born (1953-09-22) September 22, 1953
Detroit, Michigan U.S.
GenresR&B, disco, Soul, funk
Occupation(s)Singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1970–present
LabelsGM Records, Philadelphia International, RCA, ARP
Associated actsThe Jones Girls, Diana Ross, Teddy Pendergrass

Career

Jones was born in Detroit, Michigan and began singing gospel as a child with her sisters, Brenda and Valorie, and her mother Mary Frazier Jones. Shirley and her sisters eventually began singing secular music as The Jones Girls, and signed their first recording contract with GM Records in 1970, releasing the single "My Own Special Way".[1][2]

The Jones Girls became background singers for Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Teddy Pendergrass and others.[3]

In 1979, Jones and her sisters signed a recording contractPhiladelphia International Records, and enjoyed a string of hit singles in the first half of the 1980s.[4]

After the group disbanded in 1984, Jones was offered a solo contract with Philadelphia International, and released the hit single, "Do You Get Enough Love". The song spent 20 weeks on Billboard's R&B chart peaking at No. 1 on August 26, 1986.[5] A full-length album followed entitled, "Always In The Mood" which peaked at No. 8 on Billboard's R&B Album chart.[6]

After the success of the single, Jones married Harlem Globetrotters basketball player Harold Hubbard.[7]

Jones sister Valorie died on December 2, 2001, in Detroit, Michigan. She was 45.[8] On April 3, 2017, Jones sister Brenda Jones, died at age 62 after being hit by several cars.[9]

As of 2020, Jones resides in McDonough, Georgia and continues to tour around the country and overseas preserving the legacy of The Jones Girls.

Discography

With The Jones Girls

Solo

Albums
Singles
  • "Do You Get Enough Love" (1986) U.S. R&B #1
  • "Last Night I Needed Somebody" (1986) U.S. R&B #36
  • "She Knew About Me" (1987) U.S. R&B #80

References

  1. "Jones Girls* - My Own Special Way / Learn How To Love". Discogs. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  2. "The Jones Girls". Soul Walking. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  3. "The Jones Girls | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  4. "The Jones Girls". Discogs. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. "Shirley Jones". Billboard. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  6. "Shirley Jones". Billboard. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  7. Shirley Jones biography, Allmusic
  8. "Today in music history: Remembering singer Valerie Jones". www.thecurrent.org. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  9. "R.I.P.- The Jones Girls Singer Tragically Killed At 62, Sister Gives Details." I Love Old School Music. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  10. Charts, Allmusic
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