The name used by the Spinners after they left Motown Records and also the name used in the UK to avoid confusion with the British folk group of the same name.
The Spinners are a Detroit, Michigan-based soul vocal group (active under that name since 1961) and most popular during the 1970s. The group still tours as of 2009. The band is also listed occasionally as the Motown Spinners.
In 1954, a group of friends who grew up together just outside Detroit came together to make music. Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson, C. P. Spencer and James Edwards called themselves the Domingoes. James Edwards lasted only a few weeks and was replaced by Bobbie Smith, who sang lead on most of the Spinners' early records (and many of their biggest Atlantic hits). C. P. Spencer left the group shortly afterwards and was replaced by George Dixon. The group renamed themselves the Spinners in 1961.
The Spinners first hits were with Harvey Fuqua's Tri-Phi Records. In 1963, Dixon was replaced by Edwards' brother, Edgar "Chico" Edwards. Tri-Phi and its entire roster was bought out by Berry Gordy of Motown Records, who was Fuqua's brother-in-law.
In 1964, the Spinners made their debut at the Apollo Theater and won instant acclaim. However, they did not have much commercial success during the 1960s and they were often used by Motown as road managers and chauffeurs for other groups.
G. C. Cameron replaced Edwards in 1967 and in 1969 the group moved to Motown's V.I.P. imprint.
Starting in 1970, they began to have some chart success. After making an album, the group then moved to Atlantic, apart from Cameron who chose to remain with Motown as a solo artist. Singer Philippé Wynne replaced Cameron as the group's lead singer and they then went on to become one of the biggest soul groups of the 1970s.
Wynne left the group in 1977 and was replaced by John Edwards. However, this version of the group had only minor hits in the period 1977-79.
The group did manage several big hits in 1980, but their chart career ended soon after this.
The group continued touring for decades. Cameron rejoined as lead vocalist in 2000, but he left again in 2003 to join the Temptations.