Anderson was born in Inkster, Michigan, United States, and was raised in a housing project built by Henry Ford.

[2][1] While Anderson was not able to afford records growing up, she performed in gospel groups and the high school glee club.

[2] Anderson co-founded the Marvelettes, originally called the Casinyets, in 1960 with four fellow students at Inkster High School to enter a competition that could lead to an audition with Motown Records.

[1] Throughout the 1960s, the Marvelettes recorded a number of other chart topping single including "Playboy", "Beachwood 45789", "Don’t Mess with Bill", and "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game".

[1] Anderson moved to Las Vegas with her husband Joe Schaffner, who had previously managed the Temptations, who was studying lighting at the University of Nevada.