Formation
The group consisted of Joanne "JoJo" McDuffie (lead/background vocals), Cheryl Ann "Cheri" Bailey (who used stage name Cheri Wells), Candice "Candi" Ghant, Kimberly "Maxi" Wuletich, Yvette "Corvette" Marine, and the Water Sisters (Maxine and Julia). The Mary Jane Girls project was to be a solo debut for JoJo, who had sung background for Rick James on tours and recordings. Rick James developed tracks with JoJo and session vocalists the Water Sister creating the Mary Jane Girls sound (see last released Motown compilation for verification).
Motown offered James a contract for what they believed was the girl group he wanted to produce and, not wanting to lose the deal, James lied and told Motown that the Mary Jane Girls were a group and not JoJo's solo project. Rick got who he could to take pictures for Motown with no vocal auditions. JoJo continued to sing both lead and background with the Water Sisters for all of the Mary Jane Girl recordings. The other members of the group could not sing at all or were extremely limited vocally. The band had to sing for the other members of the group with JoJo on tour. The inability of the other members vocally with the exception of JoJo prevented the group from achieving their full potential. Television shows (Saturday Night Live, Tonight Show) could not have the group perform because of this.
The origin of the group's name is commonly believed to be an homage to James' affinity for marijuana, which is sometimes called "Mary Jane." The four group members took on distinctive character looks with matching personalities:
- Joanne "JoJo" McDuffie (lead vocalist) – Sexy and streetwise; a female version of James himself
- Cheryl Ann "Cheri" Bailey/ Yvette "Corvette" Marine – Valley girl
- Candice "Candi" Ghant - Vamp
- Kimberly "Maxi" Wuletich – Dominatrix
Cheri left the group shortly before the release of their second album, Only Four You, in 1985 and was replaced by Yvette "Corvette" Marine who took on the role of the valley girl in the group. She is the daughter of disco singer, Pattie Brooks.
Read more about this topic: Mary Jane Girls
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