A Detroit, Michigan native VAL YOUNG began performing professionally at an early age singing background vocals for greats like The Gap Band, George Clinton & The P-Funk and Roy Ayers. It wasn't until the 1980's that Punk Funk superstar Rick James impressed by her striking physical appearance as much by her musical talent he promoted her as the "Black Marilyn Monroe" and signed her to Motown Records, helping her produce her debut album Seduction which included the hits "Mind Games", "Piece Of My Heart", "If You Should Ever Be Lonely" and her second album Private Conversations was released on Amherst Records.