Biography
Formed in the late 1950s, this American vocal ensemble—also recognized as the Raelettes—coalesced around two former Cookies singers, Margie Hendrix (born Margie Hendricks on 13 March 1939 in the USA; died July 1973 in the USA) and Darlene McCrae (born Ethel McCrae in North Carolina, USA). The original roster was rounded out by Pat Moseley and Gwendolyn Berry. Established specifically to supply backing vocals for Ray Charles, the ensemble served as a springboard for multiple individual careers. Between 1967 and 1969, Merry Clayton (born 25 December 1948 in Gert Town, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA) fronted the group alongside Berry, Alexandra Brown, and Clydie King. In 1970 Mable John (born 3 November 1930 in Bastrop, Louisiana, USA) took Clayton’s place and headed an entirely new configuration that included Susaye Green, Vernita Moss, and Estella Yarbrough. A subsequent edition was led by Minnie Riperton (born 8 November 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, USA; died 12 July 1979 in Los Angeles, California, USA). Although several modest successes appeared on Charles’s Tangerine imprint—most notably the Mable John–fronted “I Want To (Do Everything For You)” and “Bad Water”—constant personnel turnover prevented the ensemble from building a sustained recording legacy. Different iterations of the Raelettes continued to accompany Charles until his death in 2004.