Georgeanna Tillman

Georgeanna Marie Tillman Gordon (February 6, 1943 - January 6, 1980) (source: Find A Grave website) was an American R&B/Pop singer and an original member of the Motown girl group The Marvelettes.

Growing up in the western Detroit suburb of Inkster, Michigan, Tillman joined a singing group with high school friends Gladys Horton. After a successful audition, Wanda Young joined the group and the quintet, which had auditioned for a deal with Motown earlier, returned with a song written by former Marvels member Georgia Dobbins title, Georgia Dobbins,Wyanttea Cowart and Katherine Anderson, called the Casinyets. After coming in second place during a talent contest, the group, now known as The Marvels, went to Motown's Hitsville USA studio and auditioned for the label's head Berry Gordy and leading artist/staffer Smokey Robinson. The group performed well but was required to come back with their own song.

Group member Georgia Dobbins co-wrote the song "Please Mr. Postman" for the group and the Marvels signed to Motown's Tamla label in 1961, Gordy altering their name to the Marvelettes. Tillman remained a member from then on until 1965 when her bouts with sickle cell anemia and lupus began to affect her performances.

Tillman died from complications of her illness in January 1980 at her mother's Inkster residence, just south of Michigan Avenue. She was 36 years old. She has one child (Darrin Darnell Gordon) with Billy Gordon (of the Contours) whom she married on August 12, 1963.

External links

• Georgeanna Tillman at Find a Grave