girl group
A girl group is a music act featuring two or more women in music, female singers who generally vocal harmony, harmonize together. The term "girl group" is also used in a narrower sense in the United States to denote the wave of American female p ...
originating from
the Bronx
The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County, New York, West ...
, a borough of
New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
, in 1960.
History
Origins
The group was originally a trio of schoolmates - lead singer
Judy Craig
Judy Craig (born June 11, 1944, New York City) is the lead singer of the American girl group, The Chiffons. She left the group in 1969, but returned in 1992 after the death of Barbara Lee. Fronted by Judy Craig Mann along with her daughter and nie ...
the Bronx
The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County, New York, West ...
in 1960. In 1962, at the suggestion of songwriter
Ronnie Mack
Ronald Augustus Mack (July 11, 1940 – November 5, 1963)
, the group added Sylvia Peterson, who had sung with Little Jimmy & the Tops at age 14, sharing lead vocals with Jimmy on "Say You Love Me", the B-side of the Tops' 1959 local hit "Puppy Love".
Recordings
The group chose the name The Chiffons while recording and releasing their first single, "
He's So Fine
"He's So Fine" is a song written by Ronnie Mack. It was recorded by the Chiffons who topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for four weeks in the spring of 1963. One of the most instantly recognizable golden oldies with its ''doo-lang doo-lang do ...
", written by Ronnie Mack, produced by
The Tokens
The Tokens were an American doo-wop band (rock and pop), band and production of phonograph records, record production company group from Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New York City. The group had four top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' H ...
of "
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written and first recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda under the title "Mbube", through South African Gallo Record Company. In 1961, a version adapted into English by the doo-wop group the Tokens bec ...
" fame, and released on the
Laurie Records
Laurie Records was an American record label established in New York City in 1958, by brothers Robert and Gene Schwartz, and Allan I. Sussel. Among the recording artists on Laurie's roster were Dion and the Belmonts (both together and as separa ...
label. "He's So Fine" hit No. 1 in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, selling over one million copies, and was awarded a
gold disc
Music recording certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped, sold, or streamed a certain number of units. The threshold quantity varies by type (such as album, single, music video) and by nation or territory (see ...
. (This sales figure would have qualified the record for
platinum
Platinum is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a density, dense, malleable, ductility, ductile, highly unreactive, precious metal, precious, silverish-white transition metal. Its name origina ...
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) operates an awards program based on the certified number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets.
The group also released two singles in 1963 as ''the Four Pennies'' (with Sylvia on lead) on the Laurie Records subsidiary Rust, but they abandoned the Four Pennies name as the success of "He's So Fine" became clear. This first hit was followed by other notable tunes such as
Gerry Goffin
Gerald Goffin (February 11, 1939 – June 19, 2014) was an American lyricist. Collaborating initially with his first wife, Carole King, he co-wrote many international pop hits of the early and mid-1960s, including the US No.1 hits " Will You L ...
and
Carole King
Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American singer-songwriter and musician renowned for her extensive contributions to popular music. She wrote or co-wrote 118 songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billbo ...
's " One Fine Day", "Sweet Talkin' Guy" and "I Have A Boyfriend". As the 1960s progressed, Peterson assumed a more prominent role in the group, singing lead on the Chiffons' "Why Am I So Shy"; "Strange, Strange Feeling"; "The Real Thing"; "Up On The Bridge"; and "My Block" (written by
Jimmy Radcliffe
James Radcliffe (November 18, 1936 – July 27, 1973) was an American soul singer, composer, arranger, conductor and record producer.
Biography
James Radcliffe was born in New York City. He released such singles as "My Ship is Coming In", a so ...
, Carl Spencer and
Bert Berns
Bertrand Russell Berns (November 8, 1929 – December 30, 1967), also known as Bert Russell and (occasionally) Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s. His songwriting credits include "Twist and Shout", "Piece ...
).
Shortly after the first round of hits, the Chiffons had business problems but still continued to tour the US throughout 1964 (including Murray the K Shows and as part of a package tour headlined by
Gene Pitney
Gene Francis Alan Pitney (February 17, 1940 – April 5, 2006) was an American pop and country singer, songwriter, and musician.
Pitney charted 16 top-40 hits in the United States, four in the top ten. In the United Kingdom, he had 22 top-40 h ...
). In mid-1965, they signed directly to the Laurie label, and had a hit with "Nobody Knows What's Going On In My Mind But Me". To promote the record, Sylvia and Barbara flew to the West Coast to premiere the disc on a July 1965 ''Shindig'' episode, with two substitute members as Judy and Pat were on maternity leave.
The next Top 10 hit for the Chiffons was "Sweet-Talking Guy" in mid 1966.The success of the song resulted in the Chiffons releasing their third LP, Sweet Talking Guy which peaked at #149 on the Billboard Top 200 LP chart. The Chiffons did their first overseas tour of England and Germany in June 1967; on one of their London club dates (the Chiffons were one of the opening acts for Jimi Hendrix), members of the Beatles and Stones were in the audience.
Laurie released several minor US chart hits of the Chiffons (including “Up On The Bridge”, “My Boyfriend’s Back)” until the end of the 60s. One track “Just For Tonight” was a big Canadian hit in 1968.
Personnel changes
Tiring of the constant touring and lack of hits, Judy Craig left the group in 1972, and she took a bank job in Manhattan. The remaining trio continued to do live shows with Sylvia now as permanent lead singer. Eventually, Sylvia, Pat, and Barbara took on regular 9-5 jobs, but continued to do live shows on weekends. Sylvia eventually left, and her spot was taken by alternating friends of the group.
In 1970,
George Harrison
George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Culture ...
released the song "
My Sweet Lord
"My Sweet Lord" is a song by the English musician George Harrison, released in November 1970 on his triple album ''All Things Must Pass''. It was also released as a single, Harrison's first as a solo artist, and topped charts worldwide; it was ...
", whose musical similarities to "He's So Fine" prompted the estate of Ronnie Mack to file a
copyright infringement
Copyright infringement (at times referred to as piracy) is the use of Copyright#Scope, works protected by copyright without permission for a usage where such permission is required, thereby infringing certain exclusive rights granted to the c ...
claim. The Chiffons went on to record "My Sweet Lord" in 1975. A judge later found that Harrison had unintentionally
plagiarized
Plagiarism is the representation of another person's language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions as one's own original work.From the 1995 '' Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary'': use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of anothe ...
the earlier song.
Sylvia returned to the Chiffons during the 1980s. On May 15, 1992, Barbara Lee died from a
heart attack
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when Ischemia, blood flow decreases or stops in one of the coronary arteries of the heart, causing infarction (tissue death) to the heart muscle. The most common symptom ...
, and Craig returned to the group. Peterson retired shortly thereafter and was replaced by Connie Harvey. Harvey has since left to pursue a solo career and Bennett has retired from the group.
As of 2023, Judy Craig occasionally performs with her eldest daughter and a niece. Pat Bennett lives in Georgia. Sylvia Peterson retired from her career in healthcare, and died on July 28, 2023, at the age of 77.
Discography
The Four Pennies
Singles
*1963 "My Block" (
Jimmy Radcliffe
James Radcliffe (November 18, 1936 – July 27, 1973) was an American soul singer, composer, arranger, conductor and record producer.
Biography
James Radcliffe was born in New York City. He released such singles as "My Ship is Coming In", a so ...
- Carl Spencer -
Bert Berns
Bertrand Russell Berns (November 8, 1929 – December 30, 1967), also known as Bert Russell and (occasionally) Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s. His songwriting credits include "Twist and Shout", "Piece ...
) (US #67)
*1963 "When the Boy's Happy" (US #95)
The Chiffons
Standard albums
*1963: ''He's So Fine''
Laurie Records
Laurie Records was an American record label established in New York City in 1958, by brothers Robert and Gene Schwartz, and Allan I. Sussel. Among the recording artists on Laurie's roster were Dion and the Belmonts (both together and as separa ...
– LLP 2018 (US #97)
#"
He's So Fine
"He's So Fine" is a song written by Ronnie Mack. It was recorded by the Chiffons who topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for four weeks in the spring of 1963. One of the most instantly recognizable golden oldies with its ''doo-lang doo-lang do ...
"
#"
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Will may refer to:
Common meanings
* Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death
* Will (philosophy), or willpower
* Will (sociology)
* Will, volition (psychology)
* Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will
...
"
#"Oh My Lover"
#"Why Do Fools Fall in Love"
#"My Block"
#"ABC-123"
#"Lucky Me"
#"Why Am I So Shy"
#"See You in September"
#"Wishing"
#"Mystic Voice"
#"When I Go to Sleep at Night"
*1963: ''One Fine Day'' Laurie Records – LLP 2020
#" One Fine Day"
#"
It's My Party
"It's My Party" is a song recorded by American singer Lesley Gore on her debut studio album '' I'll Cry If I Want To'' (1963). It was released as a single on April 5, 1963, by Mercury Records. The song was written by Herb Wiener, John Gluck Jr. ...
"
#"
The Loco-Motion
"The Loco-Motion" (or "Locomotion") is a pop music, pop song written by American songwriters Gerry Goffin and Carole King. "The Loco-Motion" was originally written for R&B singer Dee Dee Sharp, but Sharp turned the song down.
The song is espec ...
"
#"Tonight I Met an Angel"
#"Only My Friend"
#"
Da Doo Ron Ron
"Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)" is a song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector. It first became a popular top five hit single for the American girl group the Crystals in 1963. American teen idol Shaun Cassidy r ...
"
#"
I Wonder Why
"I Wonder Why" is a doo-wop song, written by Melvin Anderson with lyrics by Ricardo Weeks. The song was first recorded by Dion and the Belmonts.
Background
It is sung from the point of view of a man telling his girlfriend that he loves her but ...
”
#" Foolish Little Girl"
#"I'm Going to Dry My Eyes"
#"Did You Ever Go Steady"
#"When Summer's Through"
#"Love Is Like a Merry Go Round"
#" My Boyfriend's Back"
*1966: ''Sweet Talkin' Guy'' Laurie Records – SLP 2036 (US #149)
#"Sweet Talkin' Guy"
#"Up On the Bridge"
#"Nobody Knows What's Going On"
#"Thumbs Down"
#"Just a Boy"
#"Down Down Down"
#"Out of This World"
#"My Boyfriend's Back"
#"Open Your Eyes"
#"March"
#"Keep the Boy Happy"
#"
See You in September
"See You in September" is a song written by Sid Wayne and Sherman Edwards. It was first recorded by the Pittsburgh vocal group the Tempos. This first version peaked at No. 23 in the USA in the summer of 1959, and No. 16 in Canada. The most po ...
"
*1970: ''My Secret Love'' B.T. Puppy Records – BTPS-1011
#"Secret Love"
#"You're The Love Of A Lifetime"
#"Soul"
#"I Don't Deserve A Boy Like You"
#"Strange Strange Feeling"
#"Now That You're My Baby"
#"The First And Last"
#"Remember Me Baby"
#"It Hurts To Be Sixteen"
#"Every Boy And Every Girl"
Compilation albums
*1974: ''Everything You Always Wanted to Hear by the Chiffons but Couldn't Get''
*1979: ''The Chiffons Sing the Hits of the 50s & 60s''
*2004: ''Absolutely The Best!''
*2006: ''Sweet Talkin' Girls''
Singles
*1963: "
He's So Fine
"He's So Fine" is a song written by Ronnie Mack. It was recorded by the Chiffons who topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for four weeks in the spring of 1963. One of the most instantly recognizable golden oldies with its ''doo-lang doo-lang do ...
"/"Oh My Lover" (US #1, R&B #1, UK #16)
*1963: "Lucky Me"/"Why Am I So Shy"
*1963: " One Fine Day"/"Why Am I So Shy" (US #5, R&B #6, UK #29)
*1963: "A Love So Fine"/"Only My Friend" (US #40, R&B #50)
*1963: "I Have a Boyfriend"/"I'm Gonna Dry My Eyes" (US #36, R&B #6)
*1964: "Sailor Boy"/"When the Summer Is Through" (US #81, R&B #24)
*1964: "Easy to Love"/"Tonight I Met an Angel"
*1964: "What Am I Gonna Do With You (Hey Baby)"/"Strange, Strange Feeling"
*1965: "Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In My Mind but Me)"/"Did You Ever Go Steady" (US #49)
*1965: "Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In My Mind but Me)"/"The Real Thing"
*1965: "Tonight I'm Gonna Dream"/"Heavenly Place"
*1966: "Out of This World"/"Just a Boy" (US #67)
*1966: "Stop, Look and Listen"/"March" (US #85)
*1966: "Sweet Talkin' Guy"/"Did You Ever Go Steady" (US #10, UK #31) (UK #4 ''(1972 re-issue)'')
*1966: " My Boyfriend's Back"/"I Got Plenty of Nuttin'"
*1967: "If I Knew Then"/"Keep the Boy Happy"
*1968: "Up on the Bridge"/"March"
*1968: "Just for Tonight"/"Teach Me How"
*1969: "Love Me Like You're Gonna Lose Me"/"Three Dips of Ice Cream"
*1970: "So Much in Love"/"Strange Strange Feeling"
*1975: "
My Sweet Lord
"My Sweet Lord" is a song by the English musician George Harrison, released in November 1970 on his triple album ''All Things Must Pass''. It was also released as a single, Harrison's first as a solo artist, and topped charts worldwide; it was ...
"/"Main Nerve"
*1976: "Dream Dream Dream"/"Oh My Lover"
In popular culture
* Chiffon is the name of one of the girl-group-inspired narrators in the musical ''
Little Shop of Horrors
Little Shop of Horrors may refer to:
* '' The Little Shop of Horrors'', a 1960 American film
* ''Little Shop of Horrors'' (musical), a 1982 musical based on the 1960 film
* ''Little Shop of Horrors'' (1986 film), a 1986 American film based on th ...
''.
References
Bibliography
*Clemente, John (2000). ''Girl Groups - Fabulous Females That Rocked The World''.
Iola, Wisconsin
Iola is a village in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,236 at the 2020 census. The village is bordered by the towns of Iola and Scandinavia. The community was named after a Potawatomi princess.
Geography
Iola is lo ...
. Krause Publications. p. 276.
*Clemente, John (2013). ''Girl Groups - Fabulous Females Who Rocked The World''.
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in Monroe County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. The population was 79,168 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. It is the List of municipalities in Indiana, seventh-most populous city in Indiana and ...