## The First Star of Motown
Mary Wells was Motown’s first major female star, the woman whose hit ‘My Guy’ made the label a household name. She brought a smart, sophisticated charm to pop music, working closely with Smokey Robinson to define the ‘Motown Sound’. She was a pioneer who paved the way for every female artist who followed on the label.
## July 26, 1992
At the age of 49, Mary Wells died from laryngeal cancer in Los Angeles. She had battled the disease for years, losing her voice—her most precious gift—in the process. Her death was a tragic close for a woman who had achieved so much at such a young age but spent her later years struggling for recognition and financial stability. She was a queen who had outlived her crown.
## My Guy… Forever
Mary’s legacy is one of absolute charm and historic significance. She was the spark that ignited the Motown explosion. Her music, especially ‘My Guy’, remains a timeless classic of 1960s pop. Mary Wells is gone, but the ‘Guy’ she sang about still brings a smile to every listener. She was the first, and her light remains a permanent part of the Motown galaxy.