The EmotionsFather and guitarist Joseph Hutchinson nurtured his daughters' singing talent from pre-school age onward. After years of performing in church choirs and talent shows, they landed impressive opportunities to sing for gospel legend Mahalia Jackson and appear on "The Jerry Van Dyke Show." Their career went on to include numerous hit records, like collaborations with Isaac Hayes and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Original Members: Sheila, Wanda and Jeanette Hutchinson
Hometown: Chicago
Founded: 1950s
Previously known as: Hutchinson Sunbeams
Biggest Hits: "Best Of My Love," "Don't Want To Lose Your Love," "Don't Ask My Neighbor," "Flowers"
Style: R&B, disco, soul, funk
Labels: Stax, Volt, Columbia, Motown, Raging Bull
Bragging Rights: The Emotion's 1977 song "Best Of My Love" topped the pop charts. Their track "Blind Alley" was sampled for a number of hits for other artists, "Mariah Carey's "Dreamlover," Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't No Half Steppin'" and LL Cool J's "Pink Cookies In A Plastic Bag." Their 1979 collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire, "Boogie Wonderland," reached No. 4 on the pop charts and has been featured in a number of movies, including "Madagascar," "Happy Feet" and "Caddyshack," among others.
Co-sign: Says Kirk Whalum: "The Emotion that came out of them impacted me deeply."
Says Conya Doss: "You can imitate it, but you definitely can't duplicate it. … My all time favorite."