The Spinners: From Motown Shipping Clerks to Thom Bell's Philly Soul Hits

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The Spinners began in 1954 as the Domingos, five friends from Detroit's Herman Gardens housing project: Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson, C.P. Spencer and James Edwards, who was soon replaced by Bobby Smith. Renamed the Spinners, they signed with Harvey Fuqua's Tri-Phi Records and had a 1961 hit with That's What Girls Are Made For, though it remains disputed whether Smith or Fuqua sang lead. When Berry Gordy absorbed Tri-Phi in 1963, Motown sidelined the group and put them to work as road managers, chaperones, chauffeurs and shipping clerks for the label's bigger acts.

Stevie Wonder wrote and produced It's a Shame in 1970, a No. 14 hit sung by G.C. Cameron. On Aretha Franklin's advice the group moved to Atlantic, but Cameron was bound to Motown and recommended his cousin Philippé Wynne as his replacement. Producer Thom Bell built their Philadelphia soul run from 1972 to 1976, starting with I'll Be Around, which radio DJs flipped from the B-side. Wynne left in 1977 after demanding top billing, and John Edwards stepped in for 1980 medley hits like Working My Way Back to You and Cupid. The group entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

Pervis Jackson earned the nickname Mr. 12:45 for his deep bass line on Games People Play.
Then Came You, recorded with Dionne Warwick, took the group to No. 1 on the pop chart.
The Spinners funded a scholarship program to send students to college.
They sang the title track for Mel Brooks's 1987 film Spaceballs, and a 1970s track with Elton John became a No. 1 UK dance club hit in 2003.
Before his death in early 2024, Henry Fambrough insisted Bobby Smith was the group's true anchor and main lead voice.

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