The Emotions

❧

Wikipedia

The Emotions
The Emotions (Sheila, Jeanette, Pamela, and Wanda) in 1977
The Emotions (Sheila, Jeanette, Pamela, and Wanda) in 1977
Background information
Also known asThe Hutchinson Sunbeams
OriginChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1957–present
Labels
Members
  • Wanda Hutchinson
  • Wyann Vaughn
  • Wendi Vaughn
Past members
  • Sheila Hutchinson
  • Pamela Hutchinson
  • Jeanette Hutchinson
  • Theresa Davis
  • Adrianne Harris
  • Crystal Wilson

The Emotions are an American female vocal group from Chicago, Illinois, who achieved mainstream success during the 1970s. The original lineup comprised sisters Wanda Hutchinson, Sheila Hutchinson, and Jeanette Hutchinson. The group debuted on Volt Records with the release of their top-ten R&B single "So I Can Love You" in 1968. Following the decline of Volt Records and its parent company Stax Records, the group transitioned to Columbia Records in 1975.

During the mid-1970s, the Emotions achieved mainstream success with Wanda as lead singer and Maurice White as its production team. The group achieved their first gold-selling album with Flowers in 1976. The following year, they received their album Rejoice to platinum-selling success. The album's single, "Best of My Love", peaked atop of Billboard Hot 100 and earned them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group or Chorus.

Throughout the group's history, the lineup continued to change with later members Theresa Davis, Pamela Hutchinson, and Adrianne Harris. VH1 listed the group as one of the 18 Most Influential Girl Groups of All Time.[1]

History

1957–1968: Early beginnings and The Hutchinson Sunbeams

The group originally formed as the Hutchinson Sunbeams in 1957, comprising Joe Hutchinson and his daughters Sheila Hutchinson, Wanda Hutchinson, Jeanette Hutchinson. Based in Chicago, Illinois, they performed gospel songs at local churches and eventually became the opening act for American singer Mahalia Jackson. In 1958, they made their first televised appearance, on The Jerry Van Dyke Show. Over the early years of their career, The Hutchinson Sunbeams went through several name changes, becoming The Heavenly Sunbeams, The Sunbeams, Hutch Stereo's, and Three Ribbons and a Beau.

After graduating from Parker High School, the group moved forward as a trio with their father instead managing the group. While performing in a talent contest at the Regal Theatre in Chicago in 1968, the group secured a recording deal with Stax Records, although some reports that state that Pervis Staples brought the group to Stax Records. Upon signing with Stax's subsidiary label Volt Records, the group adopted the name The Emotions.[2][3][4][5][6]

1969–1974: Career breakthrough and lineup changes

In 1969, The Emotions released their debut album titled So I Can Love You on Stax,[7] which peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot R&B LP's chart.[8] The album's lead single and title-track "So I Can Love You, written by Sheila, was their first major hit, peaking at number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 3 the Best Selling Soul Singles chart.[9][10] The album's second single, "The Best Part of a Love Affair", achieved moderate success by peaking at number 27 on Best Selling Soul Singles chart.[10] The group began releasing non-album singles: "Stealing Love", "When Tomorrow Comes", and "Heart Association"; all of which peaked in the Top 40 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart.[10] In 1970, Jeanette departed from the group to focus on her marriage and family. She was replaced with friend Theresa Davis. In 1971, The Emotions released their second album, Untouched.[11] The album's single, "Show Me How", became another successful hit, peaking at number 56 on Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 13 on the Soul Singles chart.[10] In 1972, they released more singles: "My Honey and Me", "I Could Never Be Happy", and "From Toys to Boys"; all of which peaked in the Top 40 of the Soul Singles chart.[10]

The Emotions perform the gospel song "Peace Be Still" from the pulpit of the Friendly Will Baptist Church in Watts in a sequence shot several weeks after the Wattstax concert in 1973.[12][13] The group recorded an album titled Songs of Innocence and Experience to be released in 1973,[14] but the album was shelved when Stax Records became financial unstable. Despite this, they continued to release more singles in 1973 including: "Runnin' Back (and Forth)", "Peace Be Still", and "What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas". In 1974, they found minor success with the release of the single "Put a Little Love Away", which peaked at number 73 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 53 on the Hot Soul Singles chart.[9] By 1975, Stax Records became defunct and Emotions briefly disbanded.[15][16]

1975–1982: Columbia Records and subsequent releases

Through an association with Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White, the group signed to Columbia Records in November 1975.[17] White worked with the group on their third album Flowers, which saw the return of Jeanette and was released in June 1976.[18] Flowers marked their first entry on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 45, and their first time charting within the top ten of Soul LP's chart, peaking at number 5.[9] While the album's lead single and title-track "Flowers" became a minor hit in the United States, it became a popular hit in New Zealand, peaking at number two on the New Zealand Top 40 Singles chart and earning a gold-certification by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).[19][20] The album's second single, "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love", peaked at number 13 on the Hot Soul Singles chart and number 4 on the Hot Dance/Disco Club Play chart, marking their first entry on the chart.[10][21] By January 1977, the album Flowers earned a gold-certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over 500,000 copies within the United States.[22] In the same year, Jeanette withdrew from public performances with the group, only appearing on the recording of their albums. Her role was filled by her younger sister Pamela Hutchinson for concert tours and televised performances.

Wanting to capitalize off of their success, The Emotions began working with Maurice White again their fourth album titled Rejoice. Released in June 1977,[23] Rejoice, peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200 and atop of the Soul LP's chart.[9] The album's lead single, "Best of My Love", became their first song to peak at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles chart.[9] "Best of My Love" was certified platinum by the RIAA.[24] The song also earned a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group or Chorus at the 20th Annual Grammy Awards in 1978.[25][26] "Don't Ask My Neighbors" was issued as the second single and also became successful, peaking at number seven on the Hot Soul Singles chart.[9] In November 1977, Fantasy Records (using the newly-acquired Stax Records name imprint) released Sunshine, a compilation album of previously-recorded songs and singles during The Emotions' duration on Stax/Volt Records. The album spawned a single titled "Shouting Out Love" which reached number 31 on the Hot Soul Singles chart.[9]

In April 1978, The Emotions released their fifth album Sunbeam, which rose to number 12 on the Top Soul Albums chart and number 40 on the Billboard 200 chart.[8] The album received gold certication in the US by the RIAA.[27] "Smile", the album's lead single, reached number six on the Hot Soul Songs chart.[10] Continuing their music relationship with Maurice White, the group collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire on the song "Boogie Wonderland". The song became their second top-ten international hit,[28][9][10] and was certified gold in the US by the RIAA and platinum in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[29][30] "Boogie Wonderland" received a nomination for Best Disco Recording at the 22nd Annual Grammy Awards in 1980.[25] Hoping to capitalize off of the success of "Boogie Wonderland", the group released their sixth studio album Come into Our World in October 1979 on Maurice White's ARC Records, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. The album was not a commercial success and failed to produce any major hits as the single "What's the Name of Your Love?" stalled at number 30 on the Hot R&B Songs chart.[31][32][33][10][8] The group recorded another album called New Affair, released in 1981 on ARC Records. With the ARC label defunct in 1981 and the decline in disco music, the group's mainstream success began to fade. By 1982, the group were released from Columbia Records.

1983–1990: Label changes

In 1983, Wanda and Jeanette went on to appear on Jennifer Holliday's album Feel My Soul, while Wanda and Pamela featured on Earth, Wind & Fire's album Electric Universe.[34] In 1984, The Emotions reformed with the lineup of Wanda, Sheila, and Pamela. They released their eighth studio album titled Sincerely on the newly-form Chicago-based Red Label Records.[35] Although the album peaked higher than its previous two predecessors on the Top R&B Albums chart (then-called Top Black Albums chart), it produced minor charting singles: "You're the One", "You're the Best", and "Are You Through with My Heart?".[8][36]

In 1985, Pamela departed from The Emotions as the group signed with Motown Records. She was replaced by Adrianne Harris and The Emotions released their ninth studio album If I Only Knew in January 1985. Their contract with Motown was short-lived when the album produced no charting singles. The Emotions went on to perform background vocals on Tyler Collins' "Whatcha Gonna Do" for her album Girls Nite Out (1989). Jeanette and Wanda performed background vocals on Earth, Wind & Fire's album Heritage (1990). In the same year, The Emotions also performed background vocals on Nancy Wilson's album A Lady with a Song (1990).

1996–1997: Bigger than Bubblegum

In 1996, The Emotions (Wanda, Sheila, and Jeanette) released an live album titled Live In '96 on their own record label Sunbeam Records. In May 1997, the group starred in the stage production titled Bigger than Bubblegum, a musical based off of the lives of The Emotions.[37] Bigger than Bubblegum opened at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California on May 18, 1997.[37]

1998–present: Recent activities

In 1998, they featured on an episode of Motown Live with fellow girl group Divine and made a guest appearance on Smokey Robinson's album Intimate (1999).[17][38][39][40] In 2000, Pamela rejoined the group as Jeanette departed.[17] The Emotions went on to guest upon Earth, Wind & Fire's 2003 album The Promise, which was produced by Maurice White. A song from the album featuring The Emotions called "All in the Way" rose to No. 13 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 25 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart.[41][42][43] As well the group appeared on a 2004 PBS soul music special hosted by Patti LaBelle where they performed "Best of My Love".[44] Within September of that year, Songs of Innocence and Experience were released by Stax Records.[14] The Emotions went on to collaborate with rapper Snoop Dogg on a track called "Life" for his album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment (2006).[45]

In 2009, Sheila departed from the group and Wanda's daughter Wyann Vaughn was added to the lineup. In 2014, Wanda, Sheila, Pamela, and Theresa appeared in a featured episode of the music documentary program Unsung; chronicling the group's history of success and hardships.[46] In July 2016, Jeanette (now known as Jeanette Marie Hawes) released her first solo album No Regrets.[47] On September 18, 2020, Pamela Hutchinson died at the age of 61.[48] Following Pamela's death, Wanda's daughter Wendi Vaughn was added to the lineup. In 2022, Crystal Wilson (mother of singer Shanice) was briefly added to the lineup, replacing Wendi Vaughn until 2024.

Legacy

The Emotions have sold more than 5 million records worldwide. The Emotions were named by VH1 as one of the 18 Most Influential Girl Groups of All Time.[1] The Emotions won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group or Chorus in 1978 and nominated for Best Disco Recording in 1980.[25] They were also nominated twice at the American Music Awards, winning the American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Song for "Best of My Love" in 1978, and then receiving a nomination Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group in 1979. On November 8, 2001, they became the honorary recipient of the Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.[49][50] In 2025, Billboard ranked the single "Best of My Love" at number 9 on their list of Top 50 Love Songs of All Time.[51] On September 4, 2025, The Emotions were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Project Love Chicago.

The Emotions has been cited as a musical influence or source of inspiration by numerous musical acts, such as En Vogue,[52] Destiny's Child,[53] Anita Baker,[54][55] Shanice,[56] Regina Belle,[57] Lalah Hathaway,[58] Jade,[59] Erykah Badu,[60] Kirk Whalum,[61] Sheena Easton,[62] Teena Marie[63] and Fantasia.[64] The Emotions have been sampled by rappers such as Big Daddy Kane, Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J, Wu Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Salt-N-Pepa, De La Soul, Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest and The Notorious B.I.G.[65][66] Artists such as Toni Braxton, 112, Mariah Carey, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Mary J. Blige, Ginuwine, Keyshia Cole, Tamia and Janet Jackson have also sampled the girl group.[65][67][68]

Members

Discography

Accolades

American Music Awards

Year Nominated work Category Result
1978 "Best of My Love" Favorite Soul/R&B Song Won
1979 — Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group Nominated

Grammy Awards

Year Nominated work Category Result Ref
1978 "Best of My Love" Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group or Chorus Won [25]
1980 "Boogie Wonderland" Best Disco Recording Nominated

Honorary Awards

Year Organization Award
2001 Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award
2025 Project Love Chicago Lifetime Achievement

References

  1. 1 2 "From The Andrews Sisters To Pussy Riot, The Most Influential Girl Groups Of All Time". vh1.com. VH1. March 13, 2015. Archived from the original on May 15, 2015.
  2. ↑ "The Emotions - Stax Records". Staxrecords.com.
  3. ↑ Rockwell, John (August 21, 1977). "An "Emotional" Success Story". The New York Times.
  4. ↑ "The Emotions". Staxrecords.com. Stax Records. April 10, 2019.
  5. ↑ Osorio Colon, Marisa (January 26, 1995). "Grammy Winners Reunite to Prove They're 'Bigger Than Bubblegum'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015.
  6. ↑ D’Agostino, John (February 14, 1991). "Musical Emotions Return With Melodic Sound: Singers: The Emotions, a trio of sisters, revives its career as musical tastes return to tuneful songs". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ↑ The Emotions: So I Can Love You. Stax Records. 1969.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "The Emotions: (Top R&B Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "The Emotions Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "The Emotions Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  11. ↑ The Emotions: Untouched. Stax Records. 1971.
  12. ↑ Bowman, Rob (Historian) (January 10, 2006). Wattstax: Audio commentary with Rob Bowman and Chuck D. (DVD). Burbank, CA: Warner Home Video. Event occurs at 0:25:05-0:26:30. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  13. ↑ Glick, Joshua (January 23, 2018). Los Angeles Documentary and the Production of Public History, 1958-1977. Univ of California Press. p. 171. ISBN 978-0-520-29370-0.
  14. 1 2 Unterberger, Richie. "The Emotions: Songs of Innocence and Experience - Review". AllMusic.
  15. ↑ Holmes II, Emory (June 5, 2003). "The Woodstock of soul". Los Angeles Times.
  16. ↑ Hornaday, Ann (May 28, 2000). "Wattstax: a peaceful explosion of soul". baltimoresun.com. Baltimore Sun.
  17. 1 2 3 Dahl, Bill. "The Emotions Biography". AllMusic.
  18. ↑ The Emotions: Flowers. Columbia Records. June 1976.
  19. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". nztop40.co.nz. Recorded Music NZ. September 10, 1978. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – The Emotions". Radioscope. Retrieved April 17, 2025. Type The Emotions in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  21. ↑ "The Emotions: (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.com.
  22. ↑ "The Emotions: Flowers". riaa.com. RIAA.
  23. ↑ The Emotions: Rejoice. Columbia Records. June 1977.
  24. ↑ "The Emotions: Rejoice". riaa.com. RIAA.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "The Emotions". grammy.com. The Recording Academy.
  26. ↑ "The Emotions". theamas.com. American Music Awards.
  27. ↑ "The Emotions: Sunbeam". riaa.com. RIAA.
  28. ↑ "Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind And Fire With The Emotions". Official Charts.
  29. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire; Boogie Wonderland". RIAA. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Earth Wind & Fire; Boogie Wonderland". BPI. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  31. ↑ The Emotions: Come into Our World. Columbia Records. October 1979.
  32. ↑ Wall, Jon (January 19, 1980). "The Emotions: Come into Our World". Melody Maker. p. 20.
  33. ↑ Rhedon, Bill (December 8, 1979). "The Emotions: Come into Our World". newspapers.com. Baltimore Sun. p. 15.
  34. ↑ Earth, Wind & Fire: Electric Universe. Columbia Records. 1983.
  35. ↑ The Emotions: Sincerely. Red Label Records. 1984.
  36. ↑ Blues & Soul Hiplist. Blues & Soul. April 24, 1984.
  37. 1 2 Pasadena Closes Winter Season With a Bubble of Emotions. Playbill. Retrieved on November 30, 2025
  38. ↑ "Smokey Robinson". grammy.com. June 28, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Smokey Robinson: Intimate". AllMusic.
  40. ↑ Reiss, Randy (October 27, 1998). "R&B Trio's Success a Matter of Divine Intervention". mtv.com. MTV.[dead link]
  41. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire: (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard.com.
  42. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire: (Adult Contemporary Songs)". Billboard.com.
  43. ↑ Peschek, David (April 9, 2004). "Earth, Wind and Fire, The Promise". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  44. ↑ "70s Soul Superstars". PBS Hawaii. March 3, 2020.
  45. ↑ Snoop Dogg: Tha Blue Carpet Treatment (Bonus Tracks). Doggy style/Geffen Records. 2006.
  46. ↑ "Unsung" The Emotions (TV Episode 2014). IMDB. Retrieved on December 8, 2025
  47. ↑ [ https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-regrets/1146947755 No Regrets - Album by Jeanette Marie]. Apple Music. Retrieved on December 8, 2025
  48. ↑ "'Best of My Love' Emotions Singer Pamela Hutchinson Dead at 61". Tmz.com. September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Pioneer Awards (2001)". bridgeagencynyc.com. Rhythm & Blues Foundation.
  50. ↑ RHYTHM-AND-BLUES REVIEW; Awards' Rewards Are Financial, Too. New York Times. Retrieved on November 30, 2025
  51. ↑ Top 50 Love Songs of All Time. Billboard. Retrieved on November 30, 2025
  52. ↑ Hunt, Dennis (June 21, 1992). "EN VOGUE: Off to a Fast Start and Making a Supreme Effort". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015.
  53. ↑ Cho, Jaeki. "9th Wonder Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records". Complex.
  54. ↑ Johnson, Connie (December 29, 1986). "Anita Baker breaks out of Pop pack". Los Angeles Times.
  55. ↑ Anita Baker [@IAMANITABAKER] (August 6, 2014). "y'all Bettah SANG...EMOTIONS!! YES. YESSS!! :) Stomps Foot/Drops Mic.. (Eddie Murphy Sexual Choclate Voice)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  56. ↑ "I Love Your Smile, Voice Coach Sally b. Interviews Legendary R&b Star, Shanice". blogtalkradio.com. October 24, 2015.
  57. ↑ "BELLE EPOQUE RISE OF REGINA". Washington Post.
  58. ↑ "Lalah Hathaway". twitter.com.
  59. ↑ Hunt, Dennis (May 5, 1993). "Turning Jade to Gold: With a Steady-Selling Album and Hit Single, the R&B Trio Is Proving a Worthy Investment for Its Creator, Giant Records". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015.
  60. ↑ Powell, Betsy (June 4, 1997). "Erykah Badu makes up date". Toronto Star. p. D5. ProQuest 437695043.
  61. ↑ "Kirk Whalum On The Emotions: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown". yahoo.com. June 15, 2012.
  62. ↑ 'Fabulous Easton turns Dance Diva. Vol. 112. Billboard Magazine. November 11, 2000. pp. 18 & 24.
  63. ↑ "Teena Marie Celebrates 30th Anniversary With 'Congo Square'". eurweb.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009.
  64. ↑ "The Making of an Idol". Time. May 16, 2004.
  65. 1 2 "The Emotions". secondhandsongs.com.
  66. ↑ Kelley, Frannie (November 4, 2011). "When Old School Was New: Big Daddy Kane's 'Ain't No Half-Steppin'". Georgia Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  67. ↑ "The Emotions". genius.com.
  68. ↑ Frere-Jones, Sasha (April 3, 2006). "Mariah Carey's record-breaking career". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 28, 2012.