• 1947 - December 16, 2014
• Memphis soul singer-songwriter Wendy Rene was born Mary Frierson. She got her stage name from Otis Redding, who became her friend. She sang backup on many of his records.
• Along with her brother Johnny, she formed the singing quartet the Drapels, who auditioned for Stax in 1963. The group was offered a recording contract, but the label also wanted Rene as a solo artist after they heard some of her original compositions. She released her best-known singles "After Laughter (Comes Tears)" and "Bar-B-Q" the following year.
• Stax continued to use the Drapels as backup vocalists, including on Wendy's later recordings, still uncredited although they did receive royalties.
• Much of what she recorded was never released until recently (with compilations like 2003's You Thrill My Soul and 2012's After Laughter Comes Tears: Complete Stax & Volt Singles + Rarities 1964-1965). She was considered to be outside the usual type of Stax artist and they couldn't find a way to market her. She is said to have "unique swooning vocal cries" which come from her gospel heritage.
• Married to James Cross from Stax Records in 1967, she had her first child later that year and planned to retire to concentrate on her family. She was supposed to do one last show with the Bar-Kays but decided against it. She was home with her daughter on December 10, the night of the tragic plane crash in which Otis Redding and four of the Bar-Kays died.
  
• She continued to live in Memphis with her family. She was a member of the Bountiful Blessings Church of God in Christ and sang in their gospel choir. She died of a stroke December 16, 2014. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Ekristheh - Halath, for all of the above

Comments

More Songfacts:

Three Little BirdsBob Marley & the Wailers

Bob Marley's backup singers, The I Threes, claim they are the "Three Little Birds" in his famous song.

Let's DanceDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Let's Dance" is about more than just dancing. It's about dishonesty, particularly when we mask our true feelings.

A Little Less ConversationElvis Presley

Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" was just a minor hit when it was released in 1968, but a 2002 remix made the song a global smash, taking it to #1 in a number of countries, including Australia and the UK.

Money For NothingDire Straits

Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler got the idea for "Money For Nothing" after overhearing delivery men in a New York department store complain about their jobs while watching MTV.

You Are A TouristDeath Cab for Cutie

The music video for "You Are A Tourist" by Death Cab For Cutie was done live on the internet, becoming the first live, scripted, single-take music video recorded that way.

Nuclear Device (The Wizard of Aus)The Stranglers

"Nuclear Device (The Wizard of Aus)" by The Stranglers was written about the then Premier of Queensland, Joh Bjelke-Petersen. His political shenanigans were observed by the band during their first tour of Australia.

Editor's Picks

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.