Part two of our three part in-depth interview with JoJo McDuffie former lead singer of The Mary Jane Girls. In this episode JoJo talks about the breakup of the group, what it felt like to have the #2 song in the country and no furniture in her apartment… driving a rental car, dealing with Rick James and his drug addictions, the return to her teaching career, brief reunion in the mid-90’s with The Mary Jane Girls and much more!
JoJo McDuffie(The Mary Jane Girls) Interview Pt.2 by GrownFolksMusic
Ivan Orr is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, and writer. A native of Charlottesville, Virginia Ivan was involved with the forming and nascent days of The Music Resource Center as its first Program Director. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Music, Ivan currently resides in Richmond, VA where he maintains an active performance and production schedule while serving as the Music Editor for Grown Folks Music, a position he has held since 2010.
Being a huge fan of Rick James,The Mary Jane Girls,and The Stone City Band even i am absolutely in a state of disbelief after hearing this. I was so heartbroken when the Mary Jane Girls broke up. Knowing what i know about the music business. I am not surprised by what went on behind the scenes. I am so sad that things went the way that they did for The Mary Jane Girls. The music business is not all peaches and cream. It is a dark,dirty,seedy business. These want to be singers today have no idea what they are getting themselves into. JoJo McDuffie was my absolute favorite girl in the group. She was the most talented,sexiest,and beautiful of them all. I only saw Rick James once in concert. The Mary Jane Girls were on Rick’s Cold Blooded Tour in 1983. I want JoJo McDuffie to please continue to be strong and never lose faith. She will always be a shining star in my book. Peace.