Bertha Barbee McNeal passed away Thursday in a hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was a member of the Motown group The Velvelettes, which had singles with “Needle in a Haystack” and “(He Was) Saying Something.” She suffered colon cancer at the age of 82.

Bananarama, a British band, recorded the McNeal and The Velvelettes song “He Was Saying Something,” and Amy Winehouse, a singer, credited The Velvelettes as an essential inspiration.

She was a saint. The Velvelettes’ lead vocalist Cal Gill Street told the Detroit News, “I’ve lost my closest friend. She served as the group’s historian and served as our unifying force.

How did Bertha Barbee McNeal die?

The Motown Museum announced Bertha Barbee McNeal’s passing in the following statement on their official Facebook post:

With profound grief, we announce the demise of Motown alumna Ms Bertha Barbee-McNeal, a founding member of the Motown group The Velvelettes.

At 20, Bertha and the Velvelettes earned a recording contract with Motown Records in 1962. The Velvelettes later had several R&B chart-topping singles, including “Needle in a Haystack” in 1964.

Bertha, a true innovator in American female groups, contributed to the spread of the Motown brand and aesthetic internationally. Bertha reportedly remembered having a high regard for Mr Gordy and the Motown authors, musicians, and producers working on the recordings. Educating and inspiring young girls, especially the next generation of female brilliance, was Bertha’s life’s work as a community leader and educator.

She was a devoted ally of the Motown Museum. They participated in various museum activities, such as Hitsville Honors in 2019 and the launch of Rocket Plaza in August. Both museum employees and former visitors adored her. Her warm and charming presence was always a treat.

We pay tribute to Bertha for her significant contributions to the Motown legacy and offer our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and supporters around the globe.

Bertha Barbee McNeal cause of death

Colon cancer claimed the life of MOTOWN great Bertha Barbee McNeal. In Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Thursday, the well-known musician who was a member of the renowned band The Velvelettes passed away.

When her colon cancer progressed, McNeal, 82, stayed in a hospice for a few weeks. She performed with The Velvelettes in Kalamazoo for the last time in July.

According to lead singer Cal Gill Street, McNeal was an “angel.” I lost my best companion, and she told the newspaper. Bertie was a gorgeous lady.

She never cursed or spoke ill of anyone, even when upset. She would go beyond that, behaving like an angel here on earth. She was the group’s go-to glue to keep them from choking.

According to a statement from the Motown Museum, we announce the passing of Motown alums Ms Bertha Barbee-McNeal, a founding member of the Motown group The Velvelettes, with profound grief.

Who was Bertha Barbee-McNeal?

Before pursuing a career where she assisted other musicians in finding their voices, she was a member of one of the most significant early Motown ensembles. The Velvelettes co-founder Bertha Barbee-McNeal died tonight, and we mourn her loss.

Bertha Barbee Early Life

Barbee-McNeal was raised in Flint, Michigan, where she excelled at the piano and organ as a young child. She loved music so much that she went to Western Michigan University’s music programme in Kalamazoo.

While there, Norma Barbee, Bertha’s cousin, Carolyn Gill, Betty Kelly, and Barbee-McNeal joined Barbee-McNeal and Mildred Gill to form The Velvelettes. The trio was signed in 1962 after being observed singing around campus by Robert Bullock, the nephew of Motown CEO Berry Gordy, Jr.

Several tracks by The Velvelettes were released on the label in 1963, but none were suitable for radio play. However, the group received a break in 1964 when up-and-coming songwriter/producer Norman Whitfield joined them. “Needle In A Haystack,” the result of their collaboration, became their anthem and reached the top of the Billboard charts.

They scored a few decent singles before breaking up in 1967, including “He Was Sayin’ Something,” “Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I,” and “These Things Will Keep Me Loving You.” They briefly reunited to record a few songs for Ian Levine’s Motorcity label in the late 1980s.

AS A TEACHER

Barbee-McNeal continued to raise her family while working as a teacher in the Kalamazoo public school system following her graduation from Western Michigan University with a master’s degree in music education. She was highly known in the area for her private piano lessons and the vocal training she gave numerous young aspiring performers.

Barbee-McNeal received the Golden Apple Award in 2004 from the Western Michigan University College of Education and Human Development Alumni Society. Later in life, Barbee-McNeal held a position as a teacher at Kalamazoo’s nonprofit Helen L. Fox Gospel Music Center.

A performer by the name of Bertha Barbee-McNeal helped build the best soul music label ever. In her adopted city of Kalamazoo, she also gave a second performance, introducing several generations of students to the joys of music. She will be missed by her community and the soul music industry.