The Emotions, Jeanette, Wanda and Sheila Hutchinson began singing at ages three, four and five under the tutelage of their father. Joe Hutchinson, Sr. had his little girls singing from sun up to sun down. This is the foundation of the intricate harmonies and solid musicianship that has given The Emotions their sound which is recognized by so many today.
Pervis Staples and The Staples Singers were very influential in the next step that was taken by the act. The group appeared in a talent contest at the Regal Theater in Chicago. That evening, The Emotions won the contest and were signed to the Stax / Volt label.
Papa Joe packed up the girls and they were off to record their first album for a major record company, Stax / Volt Records. The Emotions released the song “So I Can Love You” from the album of the same name in 1969. This was an immediate success for The Emotions. They were ecstatic to hear comments from their school friends telling them that they heard their song on the radio. “So I Can Love You” was not only a successful recording for the group, but sister, Sheila Hutchinson, wrote it.
After releasing the successful “So I Can Love You” project, The Emotions were on a hot streak and teamed up with producers Isaac Hayes and David Porter for their next big hit single at Stax / Volt, titled, “Show Me How” from the album “Untouched” released in 1971. The Emotions were running up the charts consistently with hit records. By this time, The Emotions had definitely proven themselves as an asset at Stax / Volt and began recording a third album for the label, “Songs of Innocence and Experience.”
Unfortunately, Stax / Volt was beginning to experience some financial difficulties and the album was never released, however almost all of the songs recorded for that album were released as singles, many of which charted and kept The Emotions’ name out there. Later in the 1970’s Stax released a collection of previously recorded songs by The Emotions. This released material that was recorded earlier at Stax was put together and titled “Sunshine” which was released by Stax at the height of The Emotions’ extremely successful Columbia Records release “Rejoice” in 1977 and Sunbeam 1978. Their single "Best Of My Love" would spend five weeks at the top of the US pop charts in 1977, and would be followed by the top ten single "Boogie Wonderland" in 1978.
Hit Songs include:
“Best of My Love” “So I Can Love You” “Show Me How”
