By Vandelron (64.12.97.7) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 08:04 pm:

Any one else remember that stompin Spectoresque girl group record-My One And Only Jimmy Boy in the 60s? Tore it up. Should have gone top 10. One of the group subsequently had a number one record in another girl group. Can u name that singer? A failed re-union attemept in the 90s.

By Scratcher (65.132.76.22) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 08:08 pm:

Carolyn Wilis (Honeycone).

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:13 am:

Gloria Jones (Blossoms) was also in that group!
She's a friend of mine and I met Carolyn through
her. Both of them worked with Doris Jackson as
the Shirelles for a while. Gloria told me they
only went out twice as the Girlfriends in areas
where Jimmy Boy was getting action. Carolyn also
was with Bob B Soxx & the Blue Jeans on the cover
of the Christmas LP--the other girl is a cousin
of Rosetta of the Orlons.

By John Lester (62.49.61.57) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:38 am:

Vandelron.

Looks like you will have to make your questions a bit harder....Scratcher managed to get that one in 4 minutes!

By Scratcher (65.132.78.30) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:40 am:

I'm a big Honeycone fan John. My favorite by them is the vastly underrated "Ace in the Hole."

By TonyRussi (68.210.2.246) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:40 am:

Honey Cone were BAAD!Edna Wright is another greatly underrated singer. My personal favorite is "Innocent Til Proven Guilty".

By LG NIlsson (212.247.9.242) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:18 pm:

My favourite Honey Cone single is the cool "The Day I Found Myself". I like the slow midtempo groove here, the relaxed keyboard and of course Edna... (Sandy Wynns). Who's playing that smooth keyboard here?

Lars

By mhc (172.152.156.29) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:09 pm:

Did David Gates have anything to do with this record? Years ago, a friend of mine who collected Girl-Group stuff played me some Spector knock-off records prod. by D. Gates, and they were great..

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:20 pm:

Yes! He produced it along with the B side which
I think he also wrote.

By Scratcher (65.132.76.153) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:51 pm:

"The Day I Found Myself" and "Ace In the Hole" are my two favorites with "Stick Up" third.

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 02:15 pm:

Marshall
David Gates also wrote Popsicles Icicles by the Murmaids too....Marshall I see you are going to be in the Washington DC area pretty soon I saw it in the newspaper welcome back to the area..
Stephanie

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 02:26 pm:

Is mhc Marshall Crenshaw and was your friend who
collected girl group records Alan Betrock?

By mhc (172.140.253.118) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 06:15 pm:

Right on both counts, Randy. Alan was a great guy. Did you know him? Stephanie, thanks for the greeting..

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:21 pm:

You people are all too smart--Randy keep giving us the info. Ok-I have to come up with another one-hmmmm-how about who was the lead singer of the Royalettes?What group turned down Hes A Rebel(or had it turned down by their company)?(Did u all like the Jimmy Boy record?)

By TonyRussi (68.210.2.246) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 07:50 am:

Wasn't the lead singer of the Royalettes Sheila Ross?I think thats just a rumor about the Shirelles turning down "He's A Rebel" cause Gene Pitney wrote it for the Crystals(I thinks its funny by Vicki Carr). Yes, I liked the Girlfriends record and another Spector copy cat record "Baby, I Still Love You" by the Cinderellas on Dimension.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:42 am:

Marshall, I did not know Alan, but LOVED his book
and the video Girl Groups. I met his mother at
the Bottom Line when Ronnie Spector was perform-
ing. She is a friend of mine. What did you
think of her recordings of your songs? Also, I
think I may have seen you perform years ago at
Disney World in Orlando. Were you ever there?

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:47 am:

Florence Greenberg is said to have turned down
"He's A Rebel" because she thought a group of
black girls (the Shirelles) would get in trouble
singing it in the South. However, although it
is said that Pitney wrote it for the Crystals,
publishers ALWAYS presented their songs to more
than one company or artist even when they'd
already given an exclusive to one. Shirley of
the Shirelles is a friend of mine so I'd have
to ask her if she remembers being offered He's
A Rebel.

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:12 am:

Randy
You know Shirley!!!! I have to have an answer to this question. At the girl groups stamp ceremony
Beverly Lee and Shirley had not sung together on stage for nearly 20 years except at I think a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction or something like that.

When I saw Beverly Lee's website (and it says she owns the trademark to the Shirelles name) there were pics of her and Mikki Harris and Doris Kenner but NONE of Shirley!!! Also I had heard over the years they were not speaking to each other and I never believed it until I read a book called Will You Still Love me Tomorrow about some of the girl groups and Florence Greenberg and Beverly Lee were friends so that may have something to do with it. Its no secret that the Shirelles were suing for back royalties. Anyway Beverly (to my knowledge) has not tried to stop Shirley from singing the Shirelles songs like some people who own trademark names do and I know she bills herself as Shirley Alston former lead singer of the Shirelles. I have seen Beverly and her set of Shirelles and they are quite good. Beverly reminds me of Mary Wilson a background singer marching on with the name!! Im proud of both of them and their place in rock and roll history but do you know why they were not speaking if its not too personal. You dont have to go into great detail..
Stephanie

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:33 am:

Yes, I do know and have known for many years as
this goes back to the late '70s. I believe they
were together with Doris for a R&B award in LA
and they did sing together on a Dionne Warwick
LP in the early 80s where Dionne recorded Will
You Love Me...
Shirley can NOT bill her group as the Shirelles,
Beverley can. Shirley was offered a solo venture
in the late 70s just like Frankie Valli of the
4 Seasons. But it was NOT to leave the group.
However, while she was away (& it was Barney Ales
who had the company she recorded for) Doris re-
turned to the group to replace her. She was gone
for a brief time, but when she returned she told
me it was as if she wasn't wanted. So, she went
on as a solo and Bev, Micki, Doris continued.
Eventually Doris & Beverley split, each forming
their own group of Shirelles. Shirley can NOT
bill herself as the Shirelles according to a
court order, only as former lead singer of the
Shirelles. I think they speak occasionally, but
not very often. They were together at Doris'
funeral.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:44 am:

By the way, the Shirelles GREAT mc for years &
years, Ronnie Evans, works with Shirley. Their
manager since the late 60s, Randy Irwin, is also
Shirley's manager.

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:36 am:

Oh well I think its a shame that Beverly doesnt honor Shirley at her website but thats Ok Im glad they still speak and Im glad both of them are still working...thanks for the info
Stephanie

PS I have seen Shirley live too and she is very good in my opinion she still has the voice!!!!

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:27 pm:

So how was Doris AND Beverly able to each use the name? Didnt Shirley record for Motown label Prodigal? Did they promote her much? Shirley looked and sounded sensational on Stamps video. I think tho the Cookies stole the show with All My Trials--Earl Jean's voice was something and they sang TOGETHER. LaLa Brooks continues to amaze. Voice AND looks-she looks 29. She said it was first reunion in 20 years I believe and she hoped they could get Barbara Alston back again!Dee Dee K looked stunning too(I guess they are ok with each other even tho La La once said Dee Dee cant sing!).(I met La La at a Mary Wilson show and she was so nice and said she was recording)

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:47 pm:

Dee Dee has had a lot of plastic surgery (someone told me that I dont know if its true..LOL) La La is amazing I dont know what that woman is doing but she looks like she is 30 years old!!!!!!
She has those Mary Wilson and Chuck Jackson Genes.....
Stephanie

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 07:39 am:

Vandelron, Beverly (& Doris before her death)
could use the name because they stayed with
the group. When Doris returned to replace
Shirley while she did the solo venture for
Prodigal (Barney Ales' label), she, Micki,
& Beverly were the Shirelles. When Shirley
left they took her to court over the name
because Shirley was being billed as Shirley
Alston & Her Shirelles Show. They stopped
that. The judge said Shirley could only
bill herself as formerly of the Shirelles.
At some point Doris & Beverly split and
each had her own group. I guess it was
something they agreed on.
LaLa looks good and yes, DeeDee looks
fabulous. She may have had some surgery,
but, hey, look at Cher! DeeDee is a very
good friend of mine. A real sweetheart.

By TonyRussi (68.210.2.246) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 08:48 am:

I had a chance last night to play some old records so I put on the Girlfriends "Jimmy Boy" and the vocals are great.I remember at the time just brushing it off as Spector copy cats but it was a well made record that almost made the top 40.

By Eli (141.151.84.28) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 08:50 am:

"Jimmy Boy" was one of my faves. It was not a hit here in Philly, but I got a hold of a promo copy and I just loved it.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 10:28 am:

Tony,

Nice to see the Cinderellas get a name check
- "Baby, I Still Love You" is one of THE great
girl group records.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:34 pm:

Does anyone remember "I Love Him" by the Castanets? Another Spector sound alike
from '63.

By John Lester (213.123.136.174) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 03:48 pm:

I know it. Years ago, I used to collect Spector with Mick Patrick and through that I got to know loads of stuff via him. I think my two favourite non-spector produced songs were

Alder Ray- A Little Lovin' Goes A Long Long Way

Date With Soul - Yes Sir That's My Baby...........which features the wonderful Edna Wright

And that neatly brings me back to Honey Cone.......my favourite Honey Cone Tracks are It's Better to Have Loved And Lost - You Made Me Come To You - All The Kings Horses - While You're Out Looking For Sugar

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 09:30 pm:

Randy--if Shirley added 2 women for a group could she call it the Shirelles? Do Dee Dee and La La get along considering La La's remarks about Dee Dee's voice? Dee Dee seems to radiate the positive. ;;;; I grew up in Philly area and that's where I heard ...Jimmy Boy -WIBG...so it had some action in Philly.

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 10:00 pm:

So if Shirley started a group with 2 others could she callit the Shirelles? Do Dee Dee and LaLa get along considering the latter's comments about Dee Dee voice? Dee Dee does seem to radiate positiveness.

By TonyRussi (68.210.2.246) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 12:00 pm:

"Jimmy Boy" reached #49 on Billboard Hot 100 In Jan. '64 & was on the Hot 100 7 weeks.My brother Randy knows Shirley & Dee Dee Kennibrew pretty well and for many years.Shirley left the original group & thats why she has to bill herself as "Formerly of the Shirelles" Doris & Beverly must have come to an agreement with each other when they split after Miki Harris' death.Dee Dee & Lala are friends, Lala left the Crystals in '66.I think the conversation you are referring to was in a book about Phil Spector "He's A Rebel".Per Randy its not really known if Lala said that but as written in that book I took it she meant she(DeeDee) couldn't sing lead.Anyway they are friends & do talk frequently.Dee Dee is a wonderful person & had the business smarts to copyright the name many years ago.

By Randy Russi (64.45.230.186) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 01:51 pm:

Shirley sings with two girls on backups and has
since leaving the group. She is still billed
as Shirley Alston Reeves, former lead singer of
the Shirelles. No, as stated before, by court
order she cannot bill herself as the Shirelles,
although many venues do try to advertise her
that way. She quickly corrects them because if
Beverly finds out, she'll go after her (legally).
I was with her at a private affair with Dick Clark
and Tommy Roe, Lesley Gore, the Drifters. She
told Dick NOT to say the Shirelles, but he said
Shirley Alston Reeve & the Shirelles! He goofed,
but he's a great guy anyway. But, no, she cannot
be "the Shirelles". She has a great show, too!

As for Dee Dee & LaLa, they ARE good friends since
they were very young. It was Dee Dee's mother
who discovered LaLa when she was 13 and recommended her for the group, as a girl named
Merna was leaving. LaLa probably stays in touch
with Kate, DeeDee's mom, more than with DeeDee.
If LaLa did,in fact, make a negative statement
about DeeDee's talent, it was probably done at
a time when she was unhappy about something. I
know she wasn't happy to learn DeeDee owned the
name the Crystals, but LaLa LEFT the group in
1966. DeeDee was the only original left by
1973 and if she hadn't copyrighted the name, they
may be in same state as the original Marvelettes
are today. I don't know in what context LaLa
made that statement, if she even made it. However, again, YES they are friends and do stay
in touch and see each other every so often. I'm
not on my regular computer at work, I'm using
one for customers at the dealership where my car
is being serviced, so please excuse mistakes, etc.
You may find this interesting: LaLa & Shirley are
very good friends also and before Shirley left
the Shirelles, when Micki was very sick for a
time and couldn't work, LaLa replaced her--so it
was Shirley, LaLa, & Beverly!!! Doris had left
in about '68, but rejoined in the '70s when Shirley did the solo venture.

By Scratcher (65.132.76.166) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 04:07 pm:

It's amazing that "Jimmy Boy" reached number 49 on Billboard's Top 100 chart and stayed on for seven weeks yet was never aired in many cities. It seems the promotion and airplay was confined to certain locales, seemingly the big major markets, while missing some altogether in the midwest and other areas.

By Vandelron (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 03:48 pm:

Thanks for info Randy.Did u see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fane Stamp video tape with Lala, Barbara and DeeDee? La La is sensational on stage. LaLa seemed to say she'd like to re-unite more.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 08:39 am:

No, I haven't seen the tape yet. I had suggested
a Crystals Reunion Party-Celebrating 40 Years of
Da Doo Ron Ron for this summer.