The Originals

The Originals

The Originals are a Motown soul group from Detroit, United States. They are active from 1966 to the present and are associated with Motown and soul. The group includes Henry “Hank” Dixon, Walter Gaines, Freddie Gorman, Ty Hunter, C.P. Spencer and Joe Stubbs.

Background and early work

During the 1960s and 1970s, The Originals build a reputation as a Motown R&B and soul group. In the first half of the 1970s, they work regularly as backing singers on recordings by other Motown artists, including Jimmy Ruffin’s “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” and David Ruffin’s “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)”.

Success with Marvin Gaye

Their best-known recordings come under the guidance of Marvin Gaye, who co-writes and produces two of their biggest singles, “Baby I’m For Real” and “The Bells”. Both songs become widely recognised soul recordings and are later covered by other acts, including After 7, who re-record “Baby I’m For Real” and make it a hit again, and Color Me Badd, who record “The Bells” for an album.

Later work

Later in the decade, The Originals continue in both soul and disco, with “Down To Love Town” becoming a number one dance chart hit. Their recordings with Marvin Gaye remain the songs most closely associated with the group.