Biography
Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, USA, this Motown backing vocal ensemble originated in 1958 under the direction of Raynoma Gordy, Berry Gordy’s second wife, who was born Raynoma Mayberry on 8 March 1937 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Although the group lacked a fixed roster, its most consistent contributors were bass singer Robert Bateman, tenor Sonny Sanders (born William Sanders on 6 August 1939 in Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA), baritone Brian Holland (born 15 February 1941 in Detroit, Michigan, USA), and soprano Raynoma Gordy herself. The ensemble first appeared on record supporting Herman Griffin’s “I Need You” in 1958, then accompanied Marv Johnson on tour the next year once his “Come To Me” had gained modest traction, at which point Gwendolyn Murray also joined the singers. With the expansion of Gordy’s Motown operation, the Rayber Voices later drew upon members of the Temptations, Martha And The Vandellas, and the Miracles, yet the practice of relying on temporary line-ups soon gave way; by the early 60s the group had been supplanted by the full-time backing unit known as the Andantes.