Syreeta

After growing up in Pittsburgh, Syreeta Wright moved to Detroit, where she joined Motown Records. Berry Gordy simplified her name, and as Rita Wright she released "I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel For You," written by Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson and Brian Holland. It did OK, and Gordy thought of asking her to join The Supremes when Diana Ross left the trio; but it was her association (and marriage) with Stevie Wonder that brought her wider recognition. They co-wrote several hits ("If You Really Love Me," "It's a Shame," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer," "Superwoman") and he produced her excellent debut album "Syreeta" (on the Mowest label), followed by the classic "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta." They were divorced in 1972, she married with drummer Curtis Robertson, but continued working with Wonder, as well as with Leon Ware and Richard Perry. In 1979, she duetted with Billy Preston and had a top 5 pop hit, "With You I'm Born Again," from the film Fast Break (1979). After "The Spell," an album produced by Jermaine Jackson, she left Motown. She is still considered one of the most talented and best voices the firm ever had under contract.