Mary Jane Girls

The Mary Jane Girls (whose name underscored James' fondness for marijuana) soon became an actual group, and in the early 1980's, were signed to Motown Records (the R & B powerhouse for which James and his protege Teena Marie had been recording).
Rick James did all of the writing and producing on The Mary Jane Girls' self titled debut album of 1983 (which boasted such hits as the infectious 'Candy Man' and 'All Night Long', with it's bassline bearing a similarity to that of Keni Burke's 'Rising To The Top') as well as on the group's maturing effort of 1985, 'Only For You'.

That album contained the number 3 R & B hit 'In My House' and the number 10 R & B hit 'Wild And Crazy Love.'

The only song James didn't write for the group was a 1986 cover of Frank Valli & The Four Seasons' 'Walk Like A Man,' which was included in the comedy film 'A Fine Mess'.

Unfortunately, The Mary Jane Girls never recorded a third album.

Rick James had a major falling out with Motown in the mid-1980's, and this would lead to the group's breakup.

When Ghant was working at the music-industry trade magazine Black Radio Exclusive in 1986, she told On The Scene Magazine that she hoped to see The Mary Jane Girls continue and work with hit producers / songwriters Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

That never came about and by 1987, the group had officially broken up.