News & Updates — Marva Whitney

Marva Whitney / May 1, 1944 - Dec 22, 2012

Marva Whitney / May 1, 1944 - Dec 22, 2012

Forever associated with James Brown as one of his funky divas, Marva Whitney is fondly remembered for her raw vocal attack on some of the funkiest records ever made. From Kansas City, she came up in a gospel-singing family, performing as early as 1947 when she was three years old. She sang in R&B bands locally until '67. After rejecting offers to tour with Bobby "Blue" Bland and Little Richard, she signed on to join the James Brown Revue, which included her own featured set. She toured the world with JB (including Vietnam and Africa) and had a romantic relationship...

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