Founding Mothers: Marie Adams

Marie Adams and Three Tons of Joy Performing "Goody Goody" (YouTube)

According to The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul, Marie Adams was referred to as “TV Mama” by her bandmates because of her “big wide screen.” She was also a Founding Mother of R&B who cut come great sides for Peacock in the 1950′s and 1960′s.

Born Ollie Marie Givens in Linden, Texas in 1925, the future Marie Adams began her recording career in nearby Houston on Don Robey’s Peacock imprint.

Her first release in 1952, “I Gonna Play the Honky Tonks” was an R&B hit as was her well-received cover of Johnny Ace’s “My Song” the following year.

Her work with Peacock won her attention from Johnny Otis, who recruited her to join his road show in concert and on record through the late ’50′s. She also recorded with Capitol as part of Three Tons of Joy and cut some solo sides before rejoining Otis’ group in the early ’70′s.

The rest of her story remains a mystery. The Virgin Encyclopedia surmises she passed away shortly after that.

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