The Sunbeams sang on Jerry Van Dyke’s “Children’s Gospel” television show and also occasionally performed in the concert with Mahalia Jackson.
Soon being renamed as The Emotions, they signed with the Memphis-based Volt imprint of Stax Records in the late 1960s.
[4][5][6][7] Under the production of Isaac Hayes and David Porter the group issued their 1969 debut album entitled So I Can Love You on Stax.
[11] The Emotions then started to work on their third studio album entitled Songs of Innocence and Experience.
The girl group went on to appear in the 1973 feature film Wattstax, performing the song "Peace Be Still."
[13][14][15][16] The group then joined up with Columbia Records where an association with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire brought them their greatest level of success.
[1] With White and Charles Stepney on production, The Emotions issued in 1976 their third studio album Flowers on Columbia Records.
1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts and won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals, as well as an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single.
[25][9] Dave Marsh of Rolling Stone found the album "is harder edged, more classically soulful than (Rejoice)."
"[26][27] Covers of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Carla Thomas' "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" appeared on the album.
[18][9] John Storm Roberts of High Fidelity stated ""Sunbeam" sparkles with good tracks.
Maurice White, guru of Earth, Wind & Fire, produced this album, and I think he has blended well the talent he has brought together.
"[30] At this time, Wanda began dating Brothers Johnson keyboardist Wayne Vaughn, and the two composed "Come into My World" together.
[34][35] "Boogie Wonderland" was also Grammy nominated in the categories of Best R&B Instrumental Performance and Best Disco Recording.
[36][2] Within October of that year the Emotions issued their follow up studio album again produced by White entitled Come into Our World upon Columbia, which rose to no.
Jon Wall of Melody Maker wrote "throughout Come into Our World The Emotions' superb vocal control, range and harmonic sense are displayed to maximum effect".
Bill Rhedon of The Baltimore Sun noted that the album has "excellent material" with "simply steady, unvarying Coming at You, Soul."
[40] Wanda and Jeanette went on to appear on Jennifer Holliday's Grammy nominated 1983 LP Feel My Soul.
[41][42][43] The Emotions' eighth studio album entitled Sincerely was issued in 1984 on Red Label Records.
During 1998 they featured on an episode of Motown Live with fellow girl group Divine and made a guest appearance on Smokey Robinson's 1999 Grammy nominated album Intimate.
[58] The Emotions went on to guest upon Earth, Wind & Fire's 2003 album The Promise, which was produced by Maurice White.
[59][60][61] As well the group appeared on a 2004 PBS soul music special hosted by Patti LaBelle where they performed "Best Of My Love".
[13] The Emotions went on to collaborate with rapper Snoop Dogg on a track called "Life" upon his 2006 album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment.
[64] The Emotions also appeared as a guest artist upon Terrace Martin's 2016 Grammy nominated album Velvet Portraits.
[67] The Emotions have been sampled by rappers such as Big Daddy Kane, Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J, Wu Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, Salt-N-Pepa, De La Soul, Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest and The Notorious B.I.G..[68][69] Artists such as Toni Braxton, 112, Mariah Carey, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Mary J. Blige, Ginuwine, Keyshia Cole, Tamia and Janet Jackson have also sampled the girl group.
[68][70][71] Their songs have also been covered by artists such as Phoebe Snow, Minnie Riperton, Marcia Hines, Patti La Belle, Maysa, The Temptations, Will Downing and Nancy Wilson, backed by The Emotions, and Bobby Caldwell[68] The Emotions have also influenced artists such as En Vogue,[72] Destiny's Child,[73] Anita Baker,[74][75] Shanice,[76] Regina Belle,[77] Lalah Hathaway,[78] Jade,[79] Erykah Badu,[80] Kirk Whalum,[81] Sheena Easton,[82] Teena Marie[83] and Fantasia.