Song:Young Man
Album:After Laughter Comes Tears: Complete Stax & Volt Singles + Rarities 1964-65
Young Man was one of two singles recorded by the teen vocal group The Drapels on Stax Records in 1964. The group ended when Stax decided they liked the lead singer but not the group. Mary Frierson was the 15 year old lead singer. Other members were her brother Johnny Frierson, Marianne Brittenum and Wilbur Mondie. The group was hired as backup singers by Stax and backed up Carla Thomas. Stax liked them enough to let them record. Mary sang lead and also wrote their songs. The two singles released in 1964 were Wondering When My Love Is Coming Home and Young Man. Both songs went nowhere. The Drapels recorded a third single After Laughter Comes Tears. But Stax decided that they liked Mary as a solo artist but they didn't like the group. Mondie immediately quit the group and went to college. The others hung around Stax. Mary Frierson was renamed Wendy Rene by Stax receptionist Deannie Parker. She recorded a few unsuccessful singles and played The Apollo in New York. Mary Frierson married Stax exec James Cross. Mary was supposed to tour with Otis Redding and be on that plane that crashed and killed Otis and members of The Barkays. But as a young mother, she decided to back out and retire from music. The original plan was to retire after the tour. Until recently, you could only get The Drapels singles on the 9CD box set The Complete Stax Singles. But in February, Light In The Attic Records released a Wendy Rene comp that includes The Drapels singles. It's worth checking out. Mary Frierson had talent but unfortunately was never a star. Here's a video of Young Man by the Drapels.
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