Valorie Jones was a talented singer and a member of the R&B trio The Jones Girls, along with her sisters Shirley and Brenda. The group was popular in the 1970s and 1980s, with hits such as “You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else”, “Nights Over Egypt” and “Who Can I Run To”. They also worked as background vocalists for many famous artists, such as Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls and Teddy Pendergrass. However, Valorie’s life was cut short by a tragic cause of death that shocked her fans and family.
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The Rise and Fall of The Jones Girls
The Jones Girls were born in Detroit, Michigan, to a gospel singer mother, Mary Frazier Jones. They started singing at an early age and formed their own gospel group, The Jones Sisters. They later switched to secular music and signed with Paramount Records in 1973. They released their debut album, The Jones Girls, in 1974, but it did not achieve much success.
In 1979, they signed with Philadelphia International Records, where they worked with legendary producers Gamble and Huff. They released their second album, also titled The Jones Girls, which spawned their biggest hit, “You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else”, which reached number five on the R&B chart and number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their third album, At Peace With Woman, was released in 1980 and featured another hit, “I Just Love The Man”.
The group continued to release albums throughout the 1980s, such as Get As Much Love As You Can (1981), Keep It Comin’ (1984) and Coming Back (1985). They also collaborated with other artists, such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Cherrelle and Phyllis Hyman. However, their popularity began to decline as the music industry changed and they faced competition from newer acts. They left Philadelphia International Records in 1984 and signed with RCA Records, but they did not achieve the same level of success as before.
Valorie’s Struggle with Alcoholism
Valorie Jones had a personal struggle with alcoholism that affected her health and career. According to Ebony, she was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1997 and had to undergo chemotherapy. She also suffered from depression and anxiety. She left the group shortly after their last album, Coming Back, was released in 1985. She moved back to Detroit and tried to overcome her addiction.
However, she was unable to recover from her illness and alcoholism. She died on December 2, 2001, in Detroit, at the age of 45. Her cause of death was reported as complications related to alcoholism. Her sister Shirley said that Valorie had been sober for a while before her death, but she relapsed and drank too much. She also said that Valorie had been working on a solo album before she died.
The Legacy of Valorie Jones
Valorie Jones was a talented singer who had a distinctive voice and style. She was an integral part of The Jones Girls, who were one of the most successful female R&B groups of their time. They influenced many other artists, such as SWV, Xscape, En Vogue and TLC. Their songs have been sampled by many hip-hop and R&B artists, such as The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Nas, Outkast and Aaliyah.
Valorie’s death was a huge loss for the music industry and her fans. Her sister Shirley said that Valorie was “the heart of the group” and that she missed her every day. She also said that Valorie was “a beautiful person inside and out” who loved music and people.
Valorie’s legacy lives on through her music and her family. Her sister Shirley continues to perform as a solo artist and with other singers. She also preserves the memory of The Jones Girls by performing their songs on stage. She released an album in 2007 called Ladies Night Out with Jean Carn and Cherrelle. She has two daughters who are also singers.
Valorie’s fans also remember her fondly and pay tribute to her on social media and online platforms. They celebrate her birthday every year on April 17th and share their favorite songs and memories of her. They also express their condolences to her family and friends.
Valorie Jones was a remarkable singer who left a lasting mark on the music world. Her cause of death was tragic, but her life was full of joy and passion. She will always be remembered as one of The Jones Girls who made us love their music.
