THE VELVELETTES - NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK (RARE VIDEO FOOTAGE)

[@dpohunter]

Hard to believe this fantastic record didn't make the Top 40. The Velvelettes were one of the many Motown acts that deserved more promotion and success than they received.

[@timothyypearson]

This was I beleive they're only top 40

[@alanwilson8407]

Barry Gordy was a fool for not getting behind acts like these women. Economics dude!

[@shyphyre]

@@alanwilson8407 Diana Ross, dude!

[@fahmadug58]

Mowtown only room for one set of Supreme's. ANY song that was written and half way good was given to Di and the girls.

[@carolnahigian9518]

they are sleek & Slick && sublime.

[@JoyceLove-m4z]

This is one of my favourite records of all time, I’m 75 and have loved it since I was a teenager❤

[@markdesmarais8720]

Wow..the wild dancing is amazing..loved this most- underrated group..they were great.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

And it all goes together in just one group-exciting!

[@steveray2529]

Possibly the most underrated group that Motown ever had. I still rate their "Stop Beating Around The Bush" as the greatest Motown record never to be released.

[@alanwilson8407]

NEVER heard it dude! Looking it up now!

[@steveray2529]

@@alanwilson8407 Trust me, you'll love it! Please let me know what you think.

[@trustno1481]

@@steveray2529 ​ @Steve Ray for me is TEMPTATIONS SING SMOKEY

[@steveray2529]

@@trustno1481 But that's by the Temptations, a group nowhere near underrated at Motown, and it's also an LP that was actually released!

[@steveray2529]

@@fmtalks1543 Yet another great track! In my opinion, the females at Motown, particularly in the 60s, certainly take a lot of beating.

[@stephencummings5047]

Three beautiful sisters of Motown, they possessed great voices and style and they were the equal to any great Motown act. They are what helped to build Tamala Motown.

[@gritzgravy1760]

Rest in peace to Velvelettes co-founder, Bertha McNeal

[@blacsouljah]

I just read that she passed, that's why I'm here.

[@chazzjazz6906]

This should have been a top 10 hit.... if not #1! Great tune!

[@jackjules7552]

It went to #13 in Los Angeles.

[@FriendofDorothy]

This is a charming piece of footage. The group looked cooly professional in that choreographed, well- rehearsed way that was the standard at that time, but the kids were bonkers and having a crazed blast; very cute to watch... I saw the group live once and they were very personable, beautiful, rather elegant ladies. This track is pure early era Motown and was on the V.I.P. label; I believe it was their signature song and a modest hit, as was "He Was Really Sayin' Something". Both tracks sound sensational. A third single fared less well, and it's title was another of those wise old saying titles, something like "A Bird in the Hand (is Better than Two in the Bush)" or something like that. (Female "advice" songs were all the rage for awhile during that era; The Marvelettes did several as well). I wish The Velvelettes had had bigger success, but they are by no means forgotten.

[@zenileon]

I know.....The dancers are great aren't they?!.....The possibility that a good proportion of them are no longer with us, arthritic and/or probably on Statins does not detract from how beautiful and gifted they once were. I first heard this song in 1982 in the "H.M.V." music store in London as I was going down the stairs and I was smitten - great song, a classic and the original members of the group are still together I believe.

[@laminage]

@@zenileon This was from Where The Action Is which was like an Outdoor Version of American Bandstand. I recognize The Dancers who worked with everyone from James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, and Stevie Wonder. They even Danced for Patti Labelle & The Bluebelles before Cindy Birdsong left to join The Supremes. After that they, as well as JJ Jackson along with The Ink Spots were invited to perform in Europe and The Bluebelles met a Piano Player named Elton John.

[@DetroitLives313]

@laminage, I thought his name was Reggie when they met him?

[@steveeaton9126]

Thanks for your right-on comment!

[@laminage]

@@DetroitLives313 That's right! Thanks for pointing that fact out. This was also a Hit for an Australian Group by The Easybeats in in the 1960's. They performed on The Same Shows that The Bee Gees & Olivia Newton-John were on in the early days of their Career. I had no idea that American R & B was such an influence. Tey did their own Version of R & B Songs from "Poison Ivy" by The Coasters, Mockingbird, and Shake Rattle & Roll. They also did interpretations If you can check out a performance of Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs. The Australian and British Kids were so hysterial when they saw their favorite performers sing. They also did their versions of "Hang On Sloopy", When A Man Loves A Woman, and even ZipA Dee Doo Da.

[@diamonddave8693]

One of the greatest Lost Motown Bands

[@kpitt1204]

Never knew 60s footage of them existed! Wow!

[@theboyfromxtown]

kpitt1204 Search on KZbin fort These Things Will Keep Me Loving You

[@joycemcdonald3831]

What was the B side of this record.anyone who knows.

[@kpitt1204]

joyce Mcdonald Should I Tell Them

[@shen6088]

Great group underrated. RIP Bertha Barbee McNeal.

[@Margejo7]

This is such a classic: R.I.P. Bertha Barbee McNeal....a beautiful spirit!

[@sheilaburns8977]

I haven't heard this song in decades. What a treat!!!

[@phatton1054]

Great group. song and video. Always loved this record and the Video with dancing was a bonus.

[@strictlynorton]

Gordy did the dirty on so many of Motown's artists... this is a great example.

[@d.beaumont9157]

How time flies, all those dancing will be looking at this and thinking could I really move that fast. You could not walk onto the dance floor with this sound and stay in control. Inside I'm still giving it large, outside my head is bobbing.

[@GFIPromotions]

LOve this song, a classic!!! More please. G 🎧

[@julianb1474]

I'm pushing the button on the jukebox in 1965 to listen to this in England. Takes me back.

[@augiblutz2852]

60 years ago we had great music & shitty cameras. Now we got great cameras.

[@ethelstevenslove2957]

Great classic......

[@mickeefreeman2898]

One of my fave tracks ever .....fabulous ❤

[@curtbonnell4308]

I have to admit that the first time I heard this song was when The Blossoms covered it on Shindig I believe.

[@stephenbynum4793]

Yes It's old skool time

[@isaiahthompson2065]

THIS A CLASSIC ! THEY DID THAT ! THE FOOTAGE IS CLASSIC ENOUGH !

[@stephenbynum4793]

Needle In A Haystack By The Velvelettes

[@AtlantaGymFan]

Great song and performance!

[@thomaslombardo3401]

Always loved this song ! 💛

[@Hezekiah-dj3bm]

The velvelettes are legendary!!!!!

[@donnaclinton991]

The dancers look like professionals and they're having fun dancing to a GREAT song.

[@laminage]

They were. They danced backup for everyone from Marvin Gaye, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons even Aretha Franklin.

[@keithcoppage5708]

How great to see this bit of history! Look at those kids diggin' it!

[@hotgritz4sho]

This was AWESOME! I didn’t realize the line changed to three. I thought there were four Velvelettes?

[@williammcmillan6475]

It was 2 left group to pursue families Annette McMillan replaced them... The original 4 got back later.

[@virgin12100]

waited 10yrs to see this,thanks

[@susanhulse3966]

Fantastic

[@tomengel8218]

One more great Motown song- one more great Detroit group.Love the band- smokin' hot

[@laminage]

If they had performed this on a UK Dance Show like Top Of The Pops which is still on the Air as well as Ready Steady Go the Kids in England would have loved them as well. Motown and R & B were and still very popular. Some of the "Kids" do Cover Versions of obscure Songs.

[@sheilapalmer224]

this is my jam

[@alanspagnolia9474]

OK. This song; GEEZ !! I could NEVER sit still listening to this song, for sure, however watching these GREAT Kids dancing to it as well, I have to tell you; I was loving this song more and more !!! For all of us who grew up in the 1960's; we were SO BLESSED with awesome music - ESPECIALLY "Motown" !!!

[@alanspagnolia9474]

MOTOWN: just ONE of the reasons the US was to be totally envied , back then !! Nowadays, what have we got.....??!

[@tomengel8218]

The baby whisperer /pervert Joe the 💵 money launderer

[@michaelirby566]

great song. I love the dancers

[@wackneyhick7129]

Great stuff. Thanks for posting.

[@scottt5109]

I just saw great mini bio on them. They are all doing well. Their parents made them go to college so they could only work on school breaks. Very few MOTOR CITY Revue

[@markofsaltburn]

100% punk rock energy.

[@paulselkirk2345]

Another good Motown song good to dance to ktf. 🤩😊😎🤗

[@anthonylloyd385]

Great stuff super record

[@gmafia4049]

❤❤ 💕 Love & Honer to all the Raw Beautiful Talented Urban Female Groups of the Doo Wop ERA who didn't get the Proper Exposure in the Spotlight or Fame . 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@jamalaw]

Great footage!! They were getting down

[@angied8919]

Fabulous footage thanks so much 😊 💖

[@laminage]

Needle In A Haystack was covered by an Australian Group called The Twilights. Another one of their Songs "He Was Really Saying Something" was covered by The UK Girlband Banarama who celebrate 40 Years together.

[@sadiewilliams]

Bertha McNeal RIP🌹

[@arthurcharlesharrison1361]

So much giddy up in this incredible track...

[@marioriospinot]

Nice.

[@savannah58]

I absolutely love this channel

[@waynebrasler]

Gail is the name, I'm now told! I will check it out. Berry Gordy said several times he had a Velvelettes LP ready but the personnel seemed to be changing a lot and he was hesitant to issue product that didn't match what people would be seeing on stage and on television. In the end, ironically, the Velvelettes turned out to be the only Motown girls' group who ended up with its original lineup, minus Betty Kelley.

[@mrjoshjones1]

+Wayne Brasler Yes, Ms Tilley came along a couple years after they started and left for the Vandellas replacing Ms Rosalayn Holmes.

[@1lordthorpe]

World class.

[@bernardmcmahon5377]

Brilliant, they should have made it really big, think it was Motown politics or something

[@blacsouljah]

@kersanthemum53 This group was just as good, if not better, don't you think?

[@MA-yh2ko]

Fantastic!!! Someone knows where the camera is!!

[@moetowne1028]

She was making love to the camera while looking like she was ready to drop kick someone.

[@iluvrachellef]

@@moetowne1028 🤣🤣🤣

[@gilfaver362]

Beautiful girls.

[@brianparent8901]

Saw them with the Temptations years ago at the Macomb Center

[@Laughandsong]

Was a top 10 hit for Australian band The Substitutes featuring Glen Shorrock, later of Little River Band.

[@Smashingtime68]

Is the middle girl Betty Kelly that went on to join Martha and The Vandellas?

[@Musicblue22]

No I believe that's Annette McMillan. Betty was already apart of The Vandellas around this time

[@cdubz265]

⁠the lady in the middle is Betty Kelly, Annette Beard left the Vandellas in 1964 to get married and start a family

[@marylist1236]

Bertha McNeal, passed away here in Kalamazoo

[@cynthiapickett7403]

My birthday is the same day!

[@fannycraddock99]

Well well, I once believed all fellas were nice! True, very true! Thanks :)

[@JohnTwoC-ti9bn]

This is great! I have a few clips of this group from a much later date. But this! WOW!

[@moemcgovern7345]

These dancers must be from California.

[@waynebrasler]

Yes, still involved in music. You can find all about me on google. Just enter my name. Long story. There was at one time a Barbra Streisand Wayne Brasler website she set up but it is gone now I am told. I am a lifelong journalist and educator but since the age of 9 was involved in the record business and for 60 years have run a fan club for the singer Joni James. And I publish her magazine. I am 75 and retired a year ago from teaching but am still working the same 80 hours a week I did at school, only now at home. As for Martha and the Vandellas, I've known Martha a long time, first writing her a fan letter when "Natural Resources" was released and being flabbergasted to get an answer, handwritten on lovely stationery. Eventually she called from a party in Hollywood and asked if I could guess who was talking. I didn't guess right! We talked a long time. Then I got to meet her and have time with her face to face in Chicago. A decidedly intelligent and articulate lady who well knows how talented she is and prizes being professional and giving every audience, no matter what the circumstances, her best. The treatment she got at Motown once Berry Gordy Jr. decided the Supremes were the number one female act, and actually had the gall and insensitivity to tell Martha Reeves that during the British and European tour, is unforgivable. The Vandellas certainly deserved more album releases, better packaging and better promotion and there was no reason not to give them all that. The low point came when Martha did not complete the chorus on "I Can't Dance" and Rita Wright (Syreeta) was dubbed in. Martha evidently only learned of that when the single came out and people, including disc jockeys, thought Diana Ross had been dubbed in. Unbelievable and unforgiveable. Motown also brought Martha out to California to record her solo with a view to either releasing her as a solo or re-introducing the Vandellas on the new Mowest label. There were some sessions but the resulting album consisted mostly of songs and instrumental tracks originally offered to Diana Ross and there was Martha in Los Angeles with little reason to be there. I talked with her by phone when she was there and she said she was going back to Detroit, which she wisely did, and eventually had an entirely new experience on the City Council. She is a walking encyclopedia of the history of sacred, gospel and rhythm-and-blues music and of the word of God. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas are still performing internationally and doing very well indeed.

[@jackanthony976]

I personally like the Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Betty Kelly line up the best. Betty Kelly was actually my favorite. Betty Kelly should have fought to keep her place in the Vandellas after Martha had the gall to fire her. You shouldn't mess with a hit making formula. Martha thought it was all about her. She figured that when she fired Betty and then Rosalind shortly thereafter that she could continue as before. However we all noticed when she fired Betty and Rosalind. And I don't think that Motown was in any mood to promote a new group of strange girls posing as the new replacement Vandellas. Martha had no more major hits after firing her best Vandellas ever....Betty and Rosalind. And to think that Betty had to go and get a regular job at a bank to make ends meet after being fired by Martha. You never hear about Betty Kelly..it is like she simply vanished off the face of the earth after getting the ax by Martha. Will we ever get to hear Betty's side of the story?

[@paulaeasley8563]

JACK ANTHONY These are The Velvelettes, not Martha & The Vandellas

[@waynebrasler]

Okay, who is the Velvelette on the left. Have never seen her in any Motown photo of the group. When necessary, Motown would slip a stand-in and that happened with Supremes in Canada when Florence Ballard wasn't there but a member of the Andantes was, that being Marlene Barrow, and she looked exactly like a Supreme in every way. One interesting side fact, she later said that at no point during the engagement did Diana Ross introduce herself or even speak to her. And that reminds me of Mary Wilson saying that when Jean Terrell came into the group at one of their early engagements there was Diana out front a table taking notes. And she never came back to talk with them either. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas had the same experience. I'd love to know what THAT was all about, beyond being terribly presumptuous, rude and disrespectful.

[@mrjoshjones1]

+Wayne Brasler Not sure, but that looks like Betty Kelly (later of the Vandellas) in the center. I'll ask her.

[@Bananadiva1]

+Wayne Brasler The girl on the left is only known as 'Gail.' She's referred to in the liner notes of one of the group's Greatest Hits CDs. The Velvelette in the certre is Annette Rogers McMillan.

[@mrjoshjones1]

Appreciate you clearing that up!!

[@timtimmons4825]

+Wayne Brasler I just picked up The Velvelettes' Motown Anthology; the liners notes state that the gal on the left is "...Gail from Baltimore, who had a brief experience with the Velvelettes. She appeared with Cal and Annette on their appearance on the Dick Clark TV show, 'Where the Action is.'" Additionally, I found a Motown online forum that said Gail didn't last long because she was too demanding & "tried to take over the group." It seems the lineup was shuffled around pretty often, in both recordings and live shows....

[@waynebrasler]

+tim timmons I have that Anthology but my home is so stuffed with CDs, DVDs, newspapers, magazines and books there is too much for any one human being to cope with. I'm a journalist and also in the music area and find we all pretty much live the same way as much as we would like to be living in elegance and perfection. For some time way back when I had cassettes of unreleased Motown music including an unreleased Marvelettes collection because I would be invited to do the album notes and get the music to hear it then the albums would never be released. I was religious about never duplicating the music or even letting anyone hear it. I was such a good Motown boy. I was in several cities with the after-Diana Supremes, and also with many other Motown acts here in Chicago. I have never seen such hard-working, professional people. The Supremes would rehearse during the day, do one or two shows at night, greet fans and do autographs and photos, then go to a recording studio for a three-hour session. When they were in Chicago at the Palmer House just after Lynda joined (the first night she was Linda Tucker, the next night she was Lynda Laurence) they would do interviews all day, be lucky if there was time for a nap, do their shows, then record (that time they were doing their parts on music with the Four Tops). I remember one engagement where Cindy was worried because when they came down to the show room she had put a casserole in the oven for their dinner and forgot to turn it off. I never saw the ladies tired, temperamental or looking anything less than perfection. Their attention to fans and never rushing anyone I found remarkable. Mary was such thoughtful and kind person in so many ways.

[@tonyduwon8950]

Can anyone locate them signing He Was Really Saying Something, I think it was on the same show.

[@lenb7275]

Its on yt !!

[@iluvrachellef]

Wow this was Florence Ballard's 22nd Birthday.

[@drstevie]

Fab filmage !

[@ILMJXXX]

steve hewitt Thankyou.

[@tropicalpancake56]

Memories!

[@kathleenmccarroll3755]

Great song they don't make them like that any more

[@dundee520]

good tune -- the dancers are a bit mad hehehe

[@laminage]

The Kids were professional backing Dancers from Where The Action Is which was an Outdoor Version of American Bandstand. It was also covered by an Australian Group called The Twilights and another one of their Songs He Was Really Saying Something was covered by Banarama who UK Music Writers feel kicked the door open for every Girlband that came after then including The Spice Girls.

[@laminage]

I just realized that they and The Countours weren't acknowledged on Motown 25 from 1983.

[@alanwilson8407]

And there were others. Do your research!

[@douglasholt8353]

Can they dance

[@moetowne1028]

Annette is so cute(all of them)and she looks like she's ready to kick someone's butt.

[@user-dd7in6ze2u]

They all had that “rough” look to them lol. Its funny how they stayed in elegant dresses and heels adding the classes Miss Powell taught them but somehow you can see they didnt play no games lol. Them women were from Alabama..no further explanation needed

[@johnmscott4556]

This goes to show that this music back then was loved by white folk as well as black, especially at the time of racial division, in fact more so by the British mods of that period, says something, dosn't it!!

[@timothyypearson]

Yes that's what Motowns goal was to do .

[@exoressdelivers70]

This could have been sung equally as well by any other girl group. That's why this group wasn't the biggest of stars. Indeed all of the R&B girl groups in the 60s had interchangeable voices. Diana Ross voice was the only voice that sounded unique. I didn't say 'better' but it was different. Somewhat nasal and and similar to an emergency vehicle siren (in the attention getting way). That's why the Supremes went to unprecedented stardom and other girl groups faded away.

[@user-dd7in6ze2u]

I dont think so. Its all in their “Doodle-langs” and “Doo wops”. Most artists from motown were from Detroit/Alabama. And they really put the gravy on this song..as far as that down-south, alabama, soulful feel in the record. People can be from the same place but their worlds are always going to be different. The Velvelettes did just fine.

[@stephenfurniss8130]

Some serious Watusi going on there!

[@karlamaecanine5614]

Good group, but got lost in the Motown machine😟 With the way the dancers are dancing, I’m wondering if this was a performance in a movie🤔

[@waynebrasler]

I do have photos of Betty Kelly when she was a Velvelette. She was a real asset to the Vandellas but as I remember wearied of show business. I am told the lady in this video is Marlene Barrow (!). Let me know what Betty says and please tell her she has a fan in Chicago.

[@anthonymussari8783]

I wonder who won the dancer's 'most spastic' contest?

[@lenb7275]

They all won ! 😂😂😂

[@ceeceetracey9839]

lOLOLOLOL

[@MissT813]

NPR’s The Moth brought me here.

[@suntan8573]

Who is singing over the recording ?

[@jakob687]

Klasse das Dreiergespann

[@RobertWilliams-ur5gi]

looks to me like Ready Steady go, but I may be wrong

[@thosmoody]

Before Richard Simmons there was this to keep you thin! Wonder the dancer's didn't suffer head trauma! Love The Velvelettes and the song, though.

[@DetroitLives313]

The Velvelettes in this clip are from left to right Gail Sonders, Cal Street and Annette Rogers McMillan.

[@moetowne1028]

It's Gail,Annette and Carolyn

[@cortlandhunter1794]

I didn't know Annette was in the group as early as 65. Interesting to learn.

[@williammcmillan6475]

Annette in the middle. My mom

[@DetroitLives313]

@WIlliam Mcmillan Ahh! That is great! I use to volunteer at the Hitsville Museum back in the 80s and remember seeing pictures of her with the group. She did a great job with the Velvelettes. They also appeared on "Swingin' Time" with Robin Seymour in Windsor Canada. Mr. Seymour passed 3 days ago.

[@alanwilson8407]

@@fmtalks1543 I knew this thang wasn't a real Velveltte from the first glance.

[@myqueenimagivemydumassopin6841]

the ppl so fun and beautiful in those times ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@johnlewis195]

RIP Bertha Barbee McNeal

[@laminage]

I think that they alng with The Countours were two of the most underrated Groups at Motown. I think this was either from Hulabaloo or Dick Clark's Where The Action Is.

[@ILMJXXX]

Hi there...I do say in the description box WTAI plus date...hope you had a good weekend.

[@laminage]

Oh thanks. Missed it. Did you ever see the Rock 'N Roll Movie The T.A.M.I. Show (Teenage Music International). It's a Masterpiece.

[@laminage]

@@ILMJXXX I just realized that most of The "Action" Shows were done outside. Do you have the one with Aretha Franklin singing Rock A Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody. Another one of their songs "He Was Really Saying Something", was later covered by The UK Girl Group Banarama.

[@gomezesmorticia]

Those white boys and girls really could dance!!!

[@pamware-h6w]

Some of us could some of us couldn't ha ha

[@alanwallace7924]

It was a hit in Aus, for Paddy McCartney and the Twilights from Adelaide. This was at a time that the muso's union in Aus were not allowing airtime for a lot of overseas bands.

[@ieattofu68]

People were burning serious calories on that dancefloor...

[@blacsouljah]

No kidding.

[@gucciysl]

Wonder why Motown forget bout this group?

[@blacsouljah]

Politics, no doubt.

[@SmashinAdams]

Carolyn was one cute Indian gal.

[@user-dd7in6ze2u]

They are Indian aint they???😆😆😆 She might be Cherokee or Creek lol. They was all from Michigan so 9 times out of 10 they had Alabama roots.

[@ladyvann6136]

My goodness....lmao

[@laminage]

So much History. In 1948 Ed Sullivan & His Toast Of The Town Debuted on June 30th. 1952 The Guiding Light Soap Opera Debuted on TV after 15 Years on Radio, Florence Ballard of the Supremes was born in 1943 and 21 Years later did the first of many appearances on Ed Sullivan, and across The Ocean in 1985 Cheryl Ann Tweedy would be born who as a member of Girls Aloud was part of the most successful Group to come out of Reality TV. She had 21 Top Tens, 4 Number Ones, & 6 Platinum Albums as well as 5 Solo Number Ones. Her former Manager Hillary Shaw also managed Banarama who besides being one of the biggest Girl Groups of all time in UK Music kicked the door for so many others most notably The Spice Girls. Banarama also did their Version of "He Was Really Saying Something."

[@cynthiapickett7403]

The "Action Kids" are actually dancing, for once.

[@RonHeartt]

Audience turnt