Marie Dionne Warwick. Born in East Orange, New Jersey - twenty two years before her more famous cousin, Whitney Houston. Their mothers were a part of a very famous gospel group, The Drinkard Singers. They traveled the country, spreading the word; Dionne occasionally joined them. The groups first televised performances came in the late 50s, on local NY and NJ stations. While in high school, with her sister Dee Dee, she formed her own gospel collective - the Gospelaires.
They performed at the Apollo's amateur night. While backstage, a man approached them about recording backing vocals for Sam "The Man" Taylor. Dionne accepted! The group became in-demand studio singers, and, one day, while recording background, Dionne's voice caught the ears of one Burt Bacharach. Thank the Lorde for that!