1964. Queen of Motown. Born in Detroit, she contracted spinal meningitis at age 2 and struggled with partial blindness, deafness in one ear and temporary paralysis. At age 10, Wells contracted tuberculosis. She grew up poor and had to help her mom clean houses for work. Music brought her joy and success. She died at age 49 from a weakened immune system, cancer, and pneumonia. This was her signature song. It was written by Smokey Robinson.