Lifted from the vaults.....here is one of the most popular albums in the history of KLD.
Mary Frierson, In her early teens, was a member of the singing group The Drapels and was signed with Stax Records. The group consisted of Wendy, her brother Johnnie Frierson and two friends, Marion Brittenum and Wilbur Mondie.
Executives at Stax Records sliced Wendy Rene (born Mary Frierson) from the Drapels, who released two singles before the separation.
Mary Frierson needed a stage name and several options came up including the name Wendy Storm via Stax receptionist-turned PR head Deanie Parker. Otis Redding came up with the name Wendy René. She used that name regularly after she became a solo artist.
A month after Stax issued the final Drapels' single, they issued "After Laughter Comes Tears" (August 1964) and credited it solely to Wendy Rene, though the Drapels recorded the song as a unit.
Her second release "Bar-B-Q" (November 1964) sounds like Rene imitating the Jackson Five only the Gary, IN, natives wouldn't record until 1968. Wendy Rene was Michael Jackson before Michael. More sessions followed, but Stax didn't release much of what Rene did. "Give You What I Got" b/w "Reap What You Sow" dropped May of 1965, other releases include "I Wish I Were That Girl." Nothing hit with any impact after her solo debut and Stax gave up on Wendy
In December 1967, Wendy was scheduled to fly with Otis Redding and the Bar-Kays for what would have been her final live performance for the forseeable future. A new mother, she backed out at the last minute to stay home with her child. Tragically, the plane crashed in Madison, Wisconsin leaving Redding and six others dead.
1. WHAT WILL TOMORROW BRING
2. I WISH I WERE THAT GIRL
3. CRYING ALL BY MYSELF
4. CROWDED PARK
5. BAR B-Q
6. GONE FOR GOOD
7. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
8. GIVE YOU WHAT I GOT
9. HE HASN'T FAILED ME YET
10. LAST LOVE
11. CAN'T STAY AWAY
12. THE SAME GUY
13. AFTER LAUGHTER (COMES TEARS)
14. YOUNG & FOOLISH
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