The Importance of Mary Jones

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Mary Jones modelled her voice on a wreath, or she would listen to the Aretha's records. She taught herself to sing by listening to Aretha. So she was so convincing as Aretha, she would get mistaken for the real Queen of Soul. I think Mary Jones aspired to be just like Aretha.

Mary Jones could sing just like Aretha Franklin. One night, a James Brown impersonator saw her perform at a Motown tribute show - and thought he could take her on tour and trick audiences into believing she was the real Queen of Soul. Jeff Maysh tells the story.

Learn more in Jeff Maysh’s piece for Smithsonian Magazine, “The Counterfeit Queen of Soul.”

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