Mary Jane Jones: A Singing Legend

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Mary Jane Jones was a member of a church gospel choir in West Petersburg, Virginia. She also had a secret double life performing in local nightclubs to earn some extra money. When Motown Music emerged, it wasn't accepted by the church. They thought it was sinful. Some of the lyrics were a bit too risque, so it wasn't... she would have to perform under a different name.

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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