Effective period / Period of releases: 1963 - 1971

Members: Minnie Riperton, Louise Bethune, Andrea Davis, Betha Watts, Dorthy Hucklebee, Jessica Collins, Theresa Washum

The Gems were a Chicago girl group in the 1960s, led by original lead singer Louise Bethune. The group became the primary backup vocal group for Chess Records. The group also featured Minnie Riperton, who also recorded under the name Andrea Davis, who would go on to a career with the Chicago pscych-rock group Rotary Connection before embarking on a solo career highlighted by her hit song "Lovin' You."