Divabetic Salutes Val Young

“I can get in where I fit in, ” says Val Young. “I love all music.”

R&B/soul singer-songwriter Val Young, also known as “Lady V,” was one of the original Mary Jane Girls Band members.

The Detroit-born former Motown recording artist began singing background vocals for The Gap Band, George Clinton, Teena Marie, El Debarge, Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King, Bobby Womack, and Roy Ayers. Her all-time favorite artist is Gladys Knight. Growing up, she used to listen to her music all of the time.

She began singing with Rick James in 1981 on the Street Songs tour. Teena Maire was the opening act. She was also a member of the original Mary Jane Band.

“What a great, great time I had with RJ (Rick James). Recording, working, touring, personal, everything,” says Val Young. “We could be laughing and talking, and he could create a song. Rick James was the best of everything.” She added, “I learned from Rick to be focused. Rick always told me to be someone that someone else wants to be.”

Rick James produced her debut album, Seduction, which included the hits “Mind Games,” “Piece Of My Heart,” and “If You Should Ever Be Lonely.”

“I always wanted to be solo,” said Val Young in a Truth in Rhythm interview on YouTube. “But I still sung backgrounds on the Mary Jane Girls records.”

Her talent and physical attributes impressed Rick James so much that he promoted her as the “Black Marilyn Monroe.”

Packed with so many great songs, Rick James decided against including Val Youngs’ recording of the song “In My House” on the album. Instead, he gave the song to his fledging girl group, The Mary Jane Girls, who released “In My House,” it became a mega-hit. Regardless, Val Young’s Seduction album achieved gold status.

I would listen to Val Yong’s hits on WDKX in Rochester, New York. After school, I would turn up the radio in the art room when I heard the first bars of “If You Should Ever Be Lonely.” I was such a big Val Young fan that I dragged my brother, Rich, and his friend, Teresa, to see her perform live at a small club in Downtown Rochester. The three of us stuck out like a sore thumb in the club.

I may never understand why I grew up listening to R&B when no one else in my family did, but I can trace my career trajectory back to those early years of listening to Val Young, Rick James, and Luther Vandross nonstop on WDKX.

I was a Luther fan long before I worked for him, so I am passionate about helping promote his legacy. It was one of the most magical, defining moments in my life. I’m grateful to stay in touch with Luther’s musical family, promote his musical legacy, and offer diabetes outreach support to his fans.

After the success of her first album and Rick James’s passing, I didn’t hear much of Val Young. I’m not a rap fan, so I assumed she had left the music industry. But her voice can be heard on hit songs with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Mark Morrison, and Napoleon. Her most successful collaboration is the song “To Live & Die In L.A.” with Tupac Shakur.

You can’t help but fall in love with Val Young listening to her Truth in Rhythm interview. She’s down-to-earth, funny, and very humble about her success. She was genuinely surprised to learn Mariah Carey covered her song, “If Should Ever Be Lonely.” She said, “I was just so happy and truly blessed.”

Most recently, Val Young, Candice Ghant, and Rick James’ daughter, Ty James, have been performing as the new lineup of The Mary Jane Girls at various Rick James tribute shows.

Thank you, Val Young, for being part of the soundtrack of my life. Her music reminds me of the kid who grew up listening to R&B and was lucky enough to work for one of his idols.

Join us for our Luther Vandross: Never Too Much birthday celebration featuring a Music Panel, Fashion Show, Luther Trivia Games, Live Performances, Style Vendors and Live DJ.

Come dressed in your Big 80s Bling!

Luther Vandross was known for wearing rhinestones, silk tuxedos, and tailcoats on stage and Versace, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Tom Ford off-stage! He wasn’t afraid of bright colors, animal prints, geometric patterns, and fringe. His style and incredible showmanship brought him legions of fans worldwide.

We’re celebrating the Glitz, Glamour, and Romantic Elegance that made his concerts memorable and set him apart from other entertainers.

MUSIC PANEL: Luther’s Vocalist, Cindy Mizelle, Luther’s Choreographer, James Ervin, and Graffiti Glamour Makeup Artistry Founder Alicia Mitchell give us a closer look into the Shine of the Rhinestones, Big Luscious Hairstyles, Bold Makeup, Graceful Moves, and Tight Harmonies comprising Luther’s iconic stage shows. Hosted by Max Szadek.

FASHION SHOW: Designers showcase their gorgeous creations inspired by Luther Vandross’s romantic elegance. See the latest styles from Harlem’s Heaven and Modafleur, among others! Hosted by Catherine Schuller.

LIVE PERFORMANCE: Luther’s most iconic songs performed by Luther’s most iconic songs by vocalist Keith Anthony Fluitt.

STYLISH VENDORS: Shop for apparel, jewelry, and teas from a dazzling array of small entrepreneurs.

COCKTAILS & LITE BITES: Enjoy signature cocktails and delicious appetizers.

Divabetic Salutes Stephanie Mills



Stephanie Mills’ voice is so distinctive that it is hard to mistake it for anyone else’s. She has been nicknamed “the little lady with a big voice,” but this hardly does justice to her status as a living legend. Although her impressive string of hits in the ’80s and early ’90s might qualify her as an R&B icon, it was her electrifying performance as Dorothy in the Broadway show “The Wiz” that made her a household name.

Did you know an up-and-coming songwriter named Luther Vandross penned “A Brand New Day“, also known as “Everybody Rejoice“? 


If you do a few Google searches,  you’ll find “The Wiz” wasn’t her first foray into showbiz. At the ripe old age of nine, she achieved considerable success in a background role for the 1968 musical “Maggie Flynn. After that, she won amateur night not once, not twice, but six sensational times at Showtime at the Apollo. 

Her Broadway success in “The Wiz” led Stephanie Mills to be signed with 20th Century, scoring her first top 10 R&B hit in 1979 with “What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin’.” From there, she segued to Casablanca and then MCA, where she recorded five No. 1 R&B singles, including “I Feel Good All Over” and “Home.”
She freely admits, “I love all my albums [but] I think my prime album would be the Home album because I put a lot of thought into re-recording ‘Home‘ and the songs on that album. But each of my albums [has] a story of a time in my life [and] what I may have been going through at that time.”

Although we’re glad to hear she loves her albums and still tours, we can imagine the time, dedication, drive, and diligence it takes to be at the top of your game for over six decades. “I sing every day, but I get a lot of rest. I sleep a lot, but I love touring,” she said in an interview with one of our favorite websites, Rated R&B. “It’s not taxing. I’m older, so when I come home, I am tired, but it’s a good tired because I love leaving everything I have on stage with my audience.”

Recently, Stephanie Mills chose to fund her own recording. She explained to the White Mountain Independent, ” “I’m doing this on sheer will, faith, and my experience in the business. I didn’t set out to do this on my own; it just happened. But I believe in this.”

When asked what keeps her inner rhinestones glowing, Stephanie Mills said, “Seeing the audience’s faces and seeing them enjoy my singing. I take pride in trying to sound as close to my records as I can. In fact, when I sing, I sing to my original recording. People pay their hard-earned money to come see you. That’s big. That’s a lot.”On social media, Stephanie Mill has no problem speaking her mind. She’s shared her feelings regarding the R&B whitewashing and defended her friend, the late Michael Jackson. 

Her recording of Angela Winbush’s “I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love” is a standout. Her voice is rich, clear, and powerful. She pours emotion into every line of lyrical sentiment that speaks to your heart. It’s one of my most beloved Quiet Storm ballads. You don’t hear songs like this anymore. 

“I’ve had a fabulous life and fabulous career,” the legendary singer confidently told Rated R&B. Asked what she credits for her longevity in the music industry, she said, “Never following a trend. I’ve always done my own path and stayed on my own path. I didn’t listen to a lot of noise of what people say: “Oh, you should do this, you should do that.” I took the best from whatever they said that I felt was best for me and would work for me and I would do that. I always took my time and just slowly did the slow walk. I didn’t do a fast run. I did a slow walk.”

We can’t forget that our friend, singer, and songwriter Tawatha Agee penned the monumental duet “Two Hearts” for Stephanie Mills and Teddy Pendergrass. Released in 1981, the song reached #3 on the Billboard R & B Charts.


After working in showbiz for half a century, Stephanie Mills must feel content knowing that people still enjoy watching her perform. It’s difficult to imagine the numerous setbacks, disappointments, and frustrations she has faced throughout her career. From the singles that failed to make it to the top of the charts to auditions for roles that she didn’t get, Stephanie has likely endured more challenges than most of us could handle. Therefore, we celebrate her longevity steeped in excellence with great admiration.

Divabetic remembers Luther Vandross (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) with this special podcast. Luther Vandross was a musical master whose style has influenced an entire generation of today’s vocalists. His distinctive brand of satin-smooth vocal magic moved international audiences and continues to touch people today. Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek, who worked with Vandross for more than 14 years, hosts this tribute podcast featuring Luther’s former vocalists Paulette McWilliams, Pat Lacy, Tawatha Agee, Cindy Mizelle, and Kevin Owens, band member Bryon Miller, Vandross family member, Seveda Williams, friends Darren Margo and David Jones, the Luther Vandross historian, Leon Petrossian and Luther super fan, Jane Goodman from Great Britain. Throughout the podcast, we will play selected Luther Vandross songs that he recorded during the 1990’s courtesy of SONY Music.