Genre: R&B/Soul/Urban
Decades Active: 50s, 60s, 70s, 90s
Amazingly, Darlene Love, a superb vocalist, hasn't had much of a track record as a solo singer, at least not in terms of hits. Love was a founding member of the Blossoms in 1957. They did several sessions and were resident singers on the television show Shindig. Love sang lead vocals on "He's a Rebel," which was credited to the Crystals, and... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 60s, 70s
Strictly speaking, Phil Spector wasn't even a performer -- he's a musician, but he very rarely released records under his name. However, as a producer -- and, to a significant extent, songwriter, label owner, and session player -- he has influenced the course of rock & roll for more than all but a handful of performers. The Wall of Sound that he... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Ronnie Spector, born Veronica Bennett on August 10, 1943, in New York, NY, became famous as a member of the Ronettes, a girl group featuring her sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley. Her powerful and unique voice was a main strength of the band, as was their exotic and glamorous look. The group began as dancers at the Peppermint Lounge... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 60s
The Angels' 1963 number one hit, "My Boyfriend's Back," is one of the half-dozen or so archetypal girl group classics. Hand clap beats, sassy vocals, slightly campy lyrics, and an arrangement paced by wailing horns and streetcorner harmonies; it was a surefire hit and one that the group could never live up to, although they continued to record... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 50s, 60s, 70s
The Blossoms were a female vocal group formed at Fremont High School in Los Angeles in 1954 as the Dreamers and consisting of Fanita James (née Barrett), Gloria Jones, and the twin sisters Nanette and Annette Williams. They recorded for Flair Records in 1954. By 1957, Nanette Williams had been replaced by Darlene Wright, who later took the name... [+] Read More
Genre: R&B/Soul/Urban
Decades Active: 50s, 60s
One of the very first girl groups, the Chantels are best-known for their 1957 hit "Maybe." Between 1957 and 1963, the trio racked up a number of hit singles, but none of them was ever as popular as "Maybe," which came to be regarded as one of the definitive singles of the genre.
All five members of the Chantels -- Arlene Smith, Lois...
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Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 60s, 70s
One of the best early-'60s New York girl groups, combining sassiness and innocence on several of the style's greatest classics. The Chiffons had some singles under their belt when they reached number one with "He's So Fine," whose classic "doo-lang, doo-lang" riff was appropriated by George Harrison in 1970 for his own chart-topper, "My Sweet... [+] Read More
Genre: R&B/Soul/Urban
Decades Active: 60s
Among aficionados of the girl group sound, there can't be five acts more beloved than the Crystals. Their best-known songs, which include "He's a Rebel," "Uptown," "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Then He Kissed Me," and "There's No Other Like My Baby," are among the finest examples of the best that American rock & roll had to offer in the period before the... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 60s, 80s, 90s
California girl group the Honeys was formed in 1961 by siblings Marilyn, Diane, and Barbara Rovell; originally dubbed the Rovell Sisters, the trio cut their teeth on the local amateur talent circuit, and in time Barbara was replaced by their cousin Sandra Glantz, who adopted the stage name Ginger Blake. Through producer Gary Usher, the Rovells... [+] Read More
Genre: R&B/Soul/Urban
Decades Active: 50s, 60s, 70s
The Shirelles were the first major female vocal group of the rock era, defining the so-called girl group sound with their soft, sweet harmonies and yearning innocence. Their music was a blend of pop/rock and R&B -- especially doo wop and smooth uptown soul -- that appealed to listeners across the board, before Motown ever became a crossover... [+] Read More
