The Chiffons
Encyclopedia
The Chiffons was an all girl group
originating from the Bronx area of New York
in 1960.
and King
writing songs such as “One Fine Day,” the Chiffons made music that helped define the girl group sound of the era.
The group was originally a trio comprising lead singer Judy Craig
, Patricia Bennett
and Barbara Lee
. They formed at James Monroe High School
in The Bronx
in 1960. At the suggestion of songwriter Ronald Mack, Sylvia Peterson was added to the group in 1962. Peterson had previously sung with Little Jimmy & the Tops in 1959 when she was 14. This group had a local hit with "Puppy Love" (V-Tone). Sylvia shared the lead with Jimmy on the single's B-Side, "Say You Love Me." Peterson would later sing lead on the Chiffons' "Why Am I So Shy," "Strange, Strange Feeling," "The Real Thing," and "My Block" (written by Jimmy Radcliffe
, Carl Spencer and Bert Berns
), and "When The Boy's Happy," for the Chiffons in the early days when they were recording as the Four Pennies. They changed their name to the Chiffons in early 1963.
The group hit No. 1 in the United States
with their first single, "He's So Fine
," written by Ronald Mack, produced by the Tokens of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" fame, and released on Laurie. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
. George Harrison
's 1970 song "My Sweet Lord
" was musically similar, prompting a copyright infringement
claim. The Chiffons went on to record "My Sweet Lord" in 1975. A judge later found that Harrison had unintentionally plagiarized
the earlier song.
Their first hit was followed by other notable tunes such as Gerry Goffin
and Carole King
's "One Fine Day
", "Sweet Talkin' Guy" and "I Have A Boyfriend". Their Top 40 single "I Have A Boyfriend" was playing on Dallas station KLIF on November 22, 1963 and was interrupted by the first radio bulletins of the JFK assassination. The group also released two singles in 1963 as the Four Pennies on the Laurie subsidiary, Rust.
Craig left the Chiffons in 1970 and the group continued as a trio. On May 15, 1992, Barbara Lee passed away from a heart attack
on the eve of her 45th birthday, 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 2009, Judy Craig was performing as the Chiffons with her daughter and her niece, appearing at select shows throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Compilations
Singles
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
originating from the Bronx area of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in 1960.
Biography
The Chiffons were one of the top girl groups of the early 1960s. With their trademark tight harmonies, high-stepping confidence and the hit machine of GoffinGerry Goffin
Gerry Goffin is an American lyricist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 with former songwriting partner and first wife, Carole King. he has co-written six Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers.-Career:Goffin enlisted with the Marine Corps Reserve after graduating from...
and King
Carole King
Carole King is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. King and her former husband Gerry Goffin wrote more than two dozen chart hits for numerous artists during the 1960s, many of which have become standards. As a singer, King had an album, Tapestry, top the U.S...
writing songs such as “One Fine Day,” the Chiffons made music that helped define the girl group sound of the era.
The group was originally a trio comprising lead singer Judy Craig
Judy Craig
Judy Craig was the lead singer of the girl group, The Chiffons. She left the group in 1969 but returned in 1992 after the death of Barbara Lee. As of 2009, she and her daughter and niece perform as The Chiffons, mostly on the east coast.- References :...
, Patricia Bennett
Patricia Bennett
Patricia Bennett was an original member of the American singing girl group, the Chiffons.-References:...
and Barbara Lee
Barbara Lee (singer)
Barbara Lee was a member of girl group the Chiffons.She was born in the Bronx, New York, and died, one day short of her 45th birthday, of a heart attack on May 15, 1992.-External links:* * *...
. They formed at James Monroe High School
James Monroe High School (New York)
For schools with a similar name, see James Monroe High School.James Monroe High School was a comprehensive high school located at 1300 Boynton Avenue and E 172nd Street in the Soundview section of the Bronx....
in The Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
in 1960. At the suggestion of songwriter Ronald Mack, Sylvia Peterson was added to the group in 1962. Peterson had previously sung with Little Jimmy & the Tops in 1959 when she was 14. This group had a local hit with "Puppy Love" (V-Tone). Sylvia shared the lead with Jimmy on the single's B-Side, "Say You Love Me." Peterson would later sing lead on the Chiffons' "Why Am I So Shy," "Strange, Strange Feeling," "The Real Thing," and "My Block" (written by Jimmy Radcliffe
Jimmy Radcliffe
James "Jimmy" Radcliffe was an American soul singer, composer, arranger, conductor and record producer.-Biography:James Radcliffe was born in New York City...
, Carl Spencer and Bert Berns
Bert Berns
Bertrand Russell Berns , most commonly known as Bert Berns as well as Bert Russell and Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s...
), and "When The Boy's Happy," for the Chiffons in the early days when they were recording as the Four Pennies. They changed their name to the Chiffons in early 1963.
The group hit No. 1 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with their first single, "He's So Fine
He's So Fine
"He's So Fine" is a recording by The Chiffons which 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 doo-lang background vocal, "He's So Fine" is also renowned as the plaintiff song in the now-infamous...
," written by Ronald Mack, produced by the Tokens of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" fame, and released on Laurie. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
's 1970 song "My Sweet Lord
My Sweet Lord
"My Sweet Lord" is a song by former Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison from his UK number one hit triple album All Things Must Pass. The song was written in praise of the Hindu god Krishna...
" was musically similar, prompting a copyright infringement
Copyright infringement
Copyright infringement is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works under copyright, infringing the copyright holder's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works.- "Piracy" :...
claim. The Chiffons went on to record "My Sweet Lord" in 1975. A judge later found that Harrison had unintentionally plagiarized
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined in dictionaries as the "wrongful appropriation," "close imitation," or "purloining and publication" of another author's "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and the representation of them as one's own original work, but the notion remains problematic with nebulous...
the earlier song.
Their first hit was followed by other notable tunes such as Gerry Goffin
Gerry Goffin
Gerry Goffin is an American lyricist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 with former songwriting partner and first wife, Carole King. he has co-written six Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers.-Career:Goffin enlisted with the Marine Corps Reserve after graduating from...
and Carole King
Carole King
Carole King is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. King and her former husband Gerry Goffin wrote more than two dozen chart hits for numerous artists during the 1960s, many of which have become standards. As a singer, King had an album, Tapestry, top the U.S...
's "One Fine Day
One Fine Day (song)
"One Fine Day" has been recorded by a diverse array of artists including Susie Allanson, the Carpenters as part of the oldies medley on their album Now and Then, Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, Even in Blackouts, Kids Incorporated, David Lasley, Natalie Merchant , the Mountain Goats, Aaron Neville,...
", "Sweet Talkin' Guy" and "I Have A Boyfriend". Their Top 40 single "I Have A Boyfriend" was playing on Dallas station KLIF on November 22, 1963 and was interrupted by the first radio bulletins of the JFK assassination. The group also released two singles in 1963 as the Four Pennies on the Laurie subsidiary, Rust.
Craig left the Chiffons in 1970 and the group continued as a trio. On May 15, 1992, Barbara Lee passed away from a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on the eve of her 45th birthday, 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 2009, Judy Craig was performing as the Chiffons with her daughter and her niece, appearing at select shows throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Discography (as the Four Pennies)
Singles- 1963 "My Block" (Jimmy RadcliffeJimmy RadcliffeJames "Jimmy" Radcliffe was an American soul singer, composer, arranger, conductor and record producer.-Biography:James Radcliffe was born in New York City...
- Carl Spencer - Bert BernsBert BernsBertrand Russell Berns , most commonly known as Bert Berns as well as Bert Russell and Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s...
) (US #67) - 1963 "When the Boy's Happy" (US #95)
Discography (as the Chiffons)
Standard albums- 1963: He's So Fine (US #97)
- "He's So FineHe's So Fine"He's So Fine" is a recording by The Chiffons which 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 doo-lang background vocal, "He's So Fine" is also renowned as the plaintiff song in the now-infamous...
" - "Will You Love Me TomorrowWill You Love Me Tomorrow"Will You Love Me Tomorrow", also known as "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and originally recorded by The Shirelles. It has been recorded by many artists and was ranked among Rolling Stone 's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at #125...
" - "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
- "One Fine DayOne Fine Day (song)"One Fine Day" has been recorded by a diverse array of artists including Susie Allanson, the Carpenters as part of the oldies medley on their album Now and Then, Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, Even in Blackouts, Kids Incorporated, David Lasley, Natalie Merchant , the Mountain Goats, Aaron Neville,...
" - "It's My PartyIt's My Party (song)"It's My Party" is a song most famously sung by American singer Lesley Gore in 1963. This song hit #1 on the pop and rhythm and blues charts in the United States. "It's My Party", peaked at #9 in the United Kingdom, becoming Gore's only major hit there...
" - "The Loco-MotionThe Loco-Motion"The Loco-Motion" is a 1962 pop song written by American songwriters Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The song is notable for appearing in the American Top 5 three times – each time in a different decade: for Little Eva in 1962 ; for Grand Funk Railroad in 1974 ; and for Kylie Minogue in 1988 "The...
" - "Tonight I Met an Angel"
- "Only My Friend"
- "Da Doo Ron RonDa Doo Ron Ron"Da Doo Ron Ron" is a 1963 hit single by The Crystals, produced by Phil Spector in his Wall of Sound style. The song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Spector. The drummer was Hal Blaine....
" - "I Wonder Why"
- "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 BackMy Boyfriend's Back (song)"My Boyfriend's Back" was a hit song in 1963 for The Angels, an American girl group. It was written by the songwriting team of Feldman, Goldstein and Gottehrer . The recording was originally intended as a demo for The Shirelles, but ended up being released as recorded...
"
- 1966: Sweet Talkin' Guy (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"
- 1970: My Secret Love
- "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"
Compilations
- 1974: Everything You Always Wanted to Hear by the Chiffons but Couldn't Get
- 1979: The Chiffons Sing the Hits of the 50's & 60's
- 2004: Absolutely The Best!
Singles
- 1963: "He's So Fine"/"Oh My Lover" (US #1, UK #16)
- 1963: "Lucky Me"/"Why Am I So Shy"
- 1963: "One Fine Day"/"Why Am I So Shy" (US #5, UK #29)
- 1963: "A Love So Fine"/"Only My Friend" (US #40)
- 1963: "I Have a Boyfriend"/"I'm Gonna Dry My Eyes" (US #36)
- 1964: "Sailor Boy"/"When The Summer Is Through" (US #81)
- 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 LordMy Sweet Lord"My Sweet Lord" is a song by former Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison from his UK number one hit triple album All Things Must Pass. The song was written in praise of the Hindu god Krishna...
"/"Main Nerve" - 1976: "Dream Dream Dream"/"Oh My Love"