By Handsome (170.118.157.134) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

Hi.

What was the cause of Valorie's demise? If this was on a previous thread, I missed it..please forgive me. I have every single album, 45, cd made. Any info is appreciated, thanks.

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 05:22 pm:

Ive wondered that myself---I just know it was at least a couple of years ago-funeral in Detroit I think.

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 11:30 pm:

All I've read just stated "Natural causes".

By sunnyla (65.238.115.251) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 08:36 am:

How "natural" is dying in ones 50's? Hmmm.

By Handsome (170.118.157.134) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 09:51 am:

I know when I first heard about it, it seemed to be "Hush Hush" and not much was being said. I just thought over time, the real reason had been disseminated.

By stephanie (64.63.221.31) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 05:29 pm:

I looked all over the Internet and asked people and noone seems to know what happened...I remember when someone announced it on a message board I was shocked,,
Stephanie

By sweettalkingguy (65.238.115.51) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 05:37 pm:

I thought I read where it was cancer. Sad, whatever the cause. I wonder what the other two sisters are doing now? Anyone know?

By Greg C. (207.103.134.231) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 09:50 pm:

Her family was very tight-lipped about Valorie's cause of death. She was in her 40's, not in her 50's as previously stated.

By Allen (24.165.82.46) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 11:54 am:

Valerie died of complications from alcoholism. From what I've heard she was suffering from depression for quite a while before her death. Her sisters Shirley and Brenda are living in Atlanta. They perform occasionally with Brenda's daughter singing Valerie's parts.

I toured with them in the early 80's as their bassist and we talk now and then.

Allen

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 12:02 pm:

Thanks for the up-date Allen.

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 01:28 pm:

Allen:

Thanks for the sad update. I loved the Jones Girls harmonies and vocals. They were also beautiful! I am glad to hear that they are still performing. I have played their compilation greatest hits CD to death. There are many hits from their catalogue if some smart girl group decides to take a listen (look at what happened to Escape when they re-did the Jones Girls "Who Can I Run To). A prime candidate for covering is "I Just Love The Man."

By stephanie (64.63.221.125) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 01:38 pm:

Allen
Without revealing too much was she just depressed or were the Jones girls not getting work? That is such a shame because they have a good fan base and people were wondering what happened to them.
Stephanie I think their best song is Nights Over Egypt and many know that they did backup work for Diana Ross in some of her concerts they were more than talented they were awesome..

By Handsome (170.118.157.134) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 04:01 pm:

Allen, thank you for the information. I'm sorry to hear that. Valorie occasionally sang some parts on the Jones Girls songs, like On Target, Dance Turned into Romance & Baby I'm yours, just to name a few. She sings solo on the song called "Knockin", which is featured on the On Target RCA album.

By Handsome (170.118.157.134) on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 04:05 pm:

Allen: Does Valorie have a son? I thought I remembered reading that somewhere?

By Allen (24.165.82.46) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 05:51 am:

I wouldn't know the cause of her depression. I wouldn't assume it was from a lack of work. As sisters, they were tight. They would always take care of each other.

I would think more a case of genetics than something like work. They worked all their lives.
Some of us are destined to be ill.

Allen

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 06:03 pm:

Yes alcoholism is a PRIMARY disease that can CAUSE depression or someone can have both. Did the Jones girls re-unite before her death? Did they have that song"Your Gonna Make Me Love Soembody Else"?Loved that. Is it true Diana brought them to Gambel-Huff's attention.

By Greg C. (207.103.134.173) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 12:34 am:

Yes, the Jones Girls did make "You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else." It was their first release on the PIR label and it was a smash. They had four albums on the PIR label which were "The Jones Girls", "At Peace With Woman", "Get As Much Love As You Can", and "Keep It Comin." Yes, the Jones Girls were singing background behind Diana Ross when Messrs. Gamble & Huff "caught their act" and signed them to the label.

I used to work with their Mom, Mary a long time ago at the old Detroit General Hospital. She was a real sweetheart. I remember when their first PIR album came out in 1979, she was so excited and proud of her daughters and she should have been. Those ladies paid their dues performing around the Detroit area and in the industry for years going through GM, Music Merchant,& Curtom Records before the PIR magic gave them their success.

Valorie's death was tragic...

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.13.98) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 08:28 pm:

Hey Greg C.,
U worked at the old Detroit General Hospital?
N what Dept. may I ask? I work 4 the DMC (Detroit Medical Center) at the present, and I know quite a few people that work at the Detroit Receiving Hospital..Holla Back..Medusa9e, or E-mail me.