The Emotions came out of the Chicago church scene, just like the Staple Singers. They also were a family group led by a father; in this case, Joe Hutchinson and his daughters Jeanette, Wanda and Sheila. In 1962, their first single “Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney” was released on the Chicago label Local. The Staples were signed by the Stax/Volt label and released their first single there in August ’68. Pervis Staples (Pops’ son) had become the Emotions’ manager. But it was winning a Chicago talent show that brought the Emotions to the attention of Stax/Volt. The Emotions’ first single on Volt was “So I Can Love You,” released in March ’69. The group stayed at the label until 1974.
Jeanette Hutchinson actually left the group by 1970 and was replaced by her cousin Theresa Davis. Jeanette occasionally appeared on studio recordings with the group. By ’74, Theresa left and Jeanette rejoined.
The Emotions’ first Christmas single was “Black Christmas,” written by Pervis Staples for an Operation PUSH promotion. It came out at Christmastime 1970. (The records all show PUSH as being founded in 1971, so this must have been right before its official launch.)
Their second Christmas single was “What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas,” released in December ’73. The song was written by Homer Banks and Carl Hampton and references several other Christmas songs.
After Stax/Volt folded, the Emotions went on to other labels. They hooked up with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, which led to their number one pop/R&B hit “Best of My Love” in 1977. They also sang on a number of EW&F songs.
The Emotions – Black Christmas
The Emotions – What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas — BUY
One Response
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Rob Szarka Says:
Awesome! I love The Emotions, but I didn’t know about the Christmas songs!
