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The Shirelles

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Shirelles were an American girl group, formed in 1957 by four classmates from high school in Passaic, New Jersey: Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, Addie 'Micki' Harris and Beverly Lee. They were discovered by Florence Greenberg, who started a label of her own for them, first Tiara and later Scepter. With Will You Love Me Tomorrow they scored the first number 1 by a Black girl group on the Billboard Hot 100, and in doing so they opened the way for the girl groups of the 1960s.

Music and breakthrough

The group worked with the producer and writer Luther Dixon. After Tonight's the Night (1960), Will You Love Me Tomorrow followed in November 1960, written by the husband-and-wife team Gerry Goffin and Carole King from the song factory around the Brill Building. Shirley Owens at first found the song too country, until a string arrangement was added. The recording was made at Bell Sound in New York, with session musicians such as the pianist Paul Griffin and the drummer Gary Chester. In early 1961 the single reached number 1 in the United States; in England it reached number 4. Dedicated to the One I Love and Soldier Boy, which became number 1 again in 1962, followed among others.

Influence

The Beatles were fans and recorded Baby It's You and Boys for their debut album Please Please Me (1963). Carole King sang Will You Love Me Tomorrow herself in 1971, more slowly, on her album Tapestry. In 1996 The Shirelles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were followed by girl groups such as The Crystals, The Ronettes and The Supremes.

Listening

Listening tip. In Will You Love Me Tomorrow, listen to the contrast between the voice and the accompaniment: Shirley Owens sings the question in the lyrics softly and uncertainly, while the strings and the rolling rhythm beneath build up a small drama. Notice too the soft backing vocals of the other three, which surround her voice like a cushion.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Sources

  1. Wikipedia (en): The Shirelles
  2. bsnpubs.com
  3. Wikipedia (en): Will You Love Me Tomorrow
  4. Wikipedia (en): Girl group
Categories: ArtistsBrill Building and girl groups