A Chasing Motown Exclusive Conversation with Sandra “Candy” Fagan Williams — Part Two
The Monitors during their Motown years. From left: Richard Street, Sandra “Candy” Fagan Williams, Maurice Fagan, and Warren Harris.
In Part One of our exclusive conversation with Sandra “Candy” Fagan Williams, we followed her journey from childhood in Detroit to becoming the lone female member of The Monitors, auditioning in Berry Gordy's living room, and stepping into the remarkable world of Hitsville U.S.A.
But the recording sessions and stage performances were only part of Candy's Motown experience.
Behind the scenes, she formed friendships with some of the label's most celebrated artists. They visited one another's homes, shared meals, celebrated birthdays, and supported each other through life's difficulties.
And Candy remembers those relationships with an affection that hasn't diminished over the decades.
In Part Two, Candy takes us beyond the recording studio, sharing personal memories of her friendships and relationships with Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Florence Ballard, and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.
Here is the continuation of our conversation.
Stevie Wonder: A Friendship She Never Forgot
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas — Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, and Annette Beard — with Stevie Wonder during their early Motown years.
CHASEY: You knew Stevie Wonder when he was still very young, didn't you?
CANDY: Stevie Wonder was there when we first got to Motown. He was walking around, and he was very supportive.
He wasn't even 16 yet when we got there.
Stevie was my doll. I just loved him.
CHASEY: You told me you hosted his 16th birthday celebration at the Uptown Theater. Was that a birthday party or a birthday show?
CANDY: We did a show there with Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, and somebody else. I think The Miracles were on there too.
Somebody from Stevie's group asked me to host the show. I can't remember exactly who it was. I believe it was Smokey, or somebody.
I had been requested by Stevie to do the program. It wasn't a surprise, because he knew about it.
Sandra “Candy” Fagan Williams onstage with The Monitors at Ohio University, February 17, 1968, opening for Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.
CHASEY: You also told me a wonderful story about Stevie recognizing your perfume.
CANDY: We had a little secret.
My perfume at the time was Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil. They don't make it anymore, but it was very expensive.
He would come by and say, “That must be Candy.”
He would know!
Friends, Family, and The Temptations
The Temptations' classic five lineup: Melvin Franklin (top left), Eddie Kendricks (center), Paul Williams (top right), David Ruffin (bottom left), and Otis Williams (bottom right).
CHASEY: You were very close to The Temptations, weren't you?
CANDY: The Temptations were really supportive of us. Paul Williams, Otis, Eddie Kendricks—we were all close.
The Temps used to come over to our apartment. My mother would cook, and they'd come over and eat.
I remember Melvin coming over and asking, “Did your mother make that macaroni and cheese?”
We were like family.
Remembering Her Fellow Monitors
CHASEY: Let's talk a little about your fellow members of The Monitors. What do you remember about Warren Harris?
CANDY: Well, Warren Harris was a very, very, very big womanizer! She says with a smile. But he always considered me a sister.
He had a dynamic personality. We had a very good relationship as sister and brother.
CHASEY: Warren was the bass singer in The Monitors?
CANDY: Yes, Warren was bass. Warren was a good bass.
CHASEY: You mentioned that Otis Williams had once considered bringing Warren into The Temptations?
CANDY: Right, he did. Otis said he was going to call Warren to come with them.
The Temps had a lot of things going on, in and out, with different things. I think they wanted Warren at the time.
CHASEY: And what was Maurice Fagan like as a singer?
CANDY: He was tenor and some baritone too. He would do some baritone and alto.
He was good in the group. Very personable. Very personable.
And another womanizer up in here! She chuckles.
CHASEY: What about Richard Street?
CANDY: Richard was just Richard. I loved him as a brother.
He was kind of a loner. When we'd come back from somewhere, he'd go do his thing.
But they were all really personable.
Florence Ballard: A Friendship Candy Never Forgot
Florence Ballard, founding member of The Supremes, in a promotional portrait from her brief solo stint with ABC Records.
CHASEY: You were friends with Florence Ballard of The Supremes. I found an old article where Florence was going to see The Monitors perform because she wanted to see her friend Candy.
CANDY: Right, right.
She was so sweet, I tell you. Florence was a sweet person. She was so real and so down to earth.
I just didn't like the way she was treated.
I won't go into the negativity, but she was just precious. She was a good friend of mine.
My sister was close to the family as well. We were close to the Ballards.
CHASEY: Without going into anything negative, did Florence share with you that she was struggling within her group?
CANDY: Yes.
CHASEY: Were you able to comfort her? How did she feel?
CANDY: We were close. Florence and I were very close.
She was such a friend. We both were going through some things, because I was going through some things with my husband as well.
She was such a friend.
CHASEY: You also mentioned that Florence wrote songs.
CANDY: Oh, yeah. Florence, when they first got together, had written some songs when she was in the projects.
I don't know what songs they were, but I remember that.
CHASEY: Why do you think Florence and Diana eventually had difficulties getting along?
CANDY: After a while, I just believe sometimes power comes into play. You know what I'm saying? “I'm the star.” That's what I think.
But Florence was the one, as I remember, who got them together.
They were all close. I don't know what happened.
CHASEY: How do you remember Florence personally?
CANDY: Just a beautiful person. She was beautiful.
Blondie, as I called her. Blondie!
She had such a dynamic personality. She wasn't as outgoing as some may have expected her to be, but she was one of the kindest persons.
She really was special.
The Night Candy Became a Vandella
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas in their classic lineup: Betty Kelley (left), Martha Reeves (center), and Rosalind Ashford (right).
CHASEY: You told me that on one occasion you actually replaced one of the Vandellas during a performance. Was that at the Uptown Theater?
CANDY: Yes, I did. I think it was Rosalind. It wasn't Betty, because I went on there with Betty. So it was Roz.
I think she got sick.
They were really surprised, Marvin and all, at how I knew their routine. I was really good at dancing and routines.
So I replaced her. I was able to wear her outfit.
Betty and I were very close. What happened to Betty?
CHASEY: Betty's here in Los Angeles. I've known her for years. In fact, I remember asking her about you when I was a teenager.
I was probably 16, and I'd gotten stranded in Los Angeles. Betty invited me to her house, and I remember staying up talking with her and her son.
One of the first things I asked her was, “Betty, what do you know about the lady from The Monitors? Whatever happened to her?”
She remembered you. That was over 30 years ago, Miss Candy. I've been wondering where you were all this time.
CANDY: Oh, my goodness! Betty and I were pretty close. I wonder how Betty is.
What a connection! I would love to see her. Oh, my goodness.
CHASEY: I'll put you two in touch. I think she'd love to hear from you.
CANDY: Oh, that would be wonderful!
CHASEY: You know, I'm chasing Motown!
CANDY: I see you are! This is wonderful. It's exciting!
Coming Up in Part Three
For Candy, Motown was much more than a record company. It was a community of friendships and relationships that extended far beyond Hitsville's doors.
And there are still some extraordinary memories to come.
In the concluding installment, Candy recalls her friendship with Tammi Terrell, who once stayed in her home, and an unexpected neighbor who happened to be one of the biggest names in soul music.
She also takes us back to a glamorous night at New York's Copacabana with Kim Weston, an unforgettable backstage encounter with Aretha Franklin, and the personal circumstances that eventually led her away from so many of her Motown friends.
Finally, Candy reflects on her years with The Monitors, what being part of the Motown legacy means to her today, and what it feels like to be remembered.
Coming next: Part Three — The Stories She Carried.
This interview was edited for length, grammar, and clarity while preserving the substance of the original conversation. The recollections and personal observations are those of Sandra “Candy” Fagan Williams.
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