Memphis soul singer-songwriter Wendy Rene was born Mary Frierson. She got her stage name from Otis Redding, who became her friend. She sang backup on many of his records.
Along with her brother Johnny, she formed the singing quartet the Drapels, who auditioned for Stax in 1963. The group was offered a recording contract, but the label also wanted Rene as a solo artist after they heard some of her original compositions. She released her best-known singles "After Laughter (Comes Tears)" and "Bar-B-Q" the following year.
Stax continued to use the Drapels as backup vocalists, including on Wendy's later recordings, still uncredited although they did receive royalties.
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