Biography
The Gems first recorded for the Chess/Checker/Cadet labels operated by Leonard and Phil Chess under the name the Lovettes, an act unrelated to the similarly named group that appeared on Carnival Records. Jessica Collins, Verdine Harrison, Theresa Washburn, Dorothy Hucklebee, and Bertha Watts, all students at Marshall High School, issued two unsuccessful Checker singles: the 1962 pairing of “One More Year” with “The Crush,” and “Hands Off” backed by “A Love of Mine.” Blind pianist and songwriter Raynard Miner functioned as the unpublicized sixth member; he and Billy “Roquel” Davis, working alone or together, supplied nearly every song the group recorded. Although Roquel served as Chess’ A&R director, his influence never translated into major chart success or lasting visibility for the Gems. Miner played piano behind the singers at many but not all of their appearances. The five striking young women routinely captivated listeners with both their vocal blend and their stage presence; their strongest-selling single remained “I Can’t Help Myself.” Roquel changed the Lovettes’ name to the Gems and moved the act to Chess proper. The track “One More Time,” already issued on Checker, was flipped to serve as the B-side of “Let Your Hair Down” in 1963. “It’s a Girl’s Impression” appeared the same year, yet neither release registered beyond local markets. Minnie Riperton replaced Verdine Harrison for the next single, “That’s What They Put Erasers on Pencils For.” The lighthearted teen number produced only scattered neighborhood bookings. In 1964 the coupling of “I Can’t Help Myself” with “Can’t You Take a Hint” received airplay beyond greater Chicago, prompting the group to undertake promotional tours and live dates. The A-side floats on shifting rhythms while Miner delivers striking keyboard work; the B-side moves at a brisk tempo that spotlights Riperton’s five-octave range. Chess released “Love for Christmas” in November 1964 to catch seasonal shoppers. After the final two singles—“He Makes Me Feel Good” in 1965 and “Girls Can Do It” in 1967—failed to connect, the group dissolved. Theresa Washburn subsequently joined the Starlettes, another Chess act, as did Riperton, who also performed with Rotary Connection before embarking on a solo career. She first recorded as Andrea Davis, then under her own name, and enjoyed a substantial career until her death from cancer in 1979. Raynard Miner composed numerous hits for other artists, among them “Higher and Higher,” “Rescue Me,” “We’re Gonna Make It,” the Radiants’ “Don’t It Make You Feel Kinda Bad,” and Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto’s “In the Basement.” Before Chess closed, Miner moved to Motown, where his output proved less prominent; his credits there include the Four Tops’ “The Key” and the Marvelettes’ “Sunshine Days.” A 1990s Minnie Riperton compilation contains several Gems tracks, though “I Can’t Help Myself” is omitted because Riperton did not sing lead on that recording.
Albums
Singles