mr. m

I was doing a repost of some Whitburn songs from 1960 that I had
downloaded last year. I had this one, but when I played it , I
figured it was misnamed, because it certainly sounds like the
Shirelles. It was pointed out to me that my file really is the
Chiffons, and there is a slight variation in the voices, but I still
think it would take a very sharp ear to tell the difference. It
reminds of trying to tell the difference between "Soul Makossa" by
Manu Dibango or Afrique. I had to get a copy of the Afrique 45 to be
sure. BTW, the Chiffons is very hard to find on CD, though it is on
a collection called "Poodle Skirts". The 45 lists for about $75

Martin

randypny

Next questions: Is this Chiffons the same group that later recorded for
Laurie, or someone else?

- Randy

I'd have to do some digging around, but I believe it is one my Best of Chiffons cd.


In 1960, the Chiffons formed at James Monroe High School in the Bronx,
New York. The lead singer was 14 year old Judy Craig (born August
6,1946), and she sang along with Patricia Bennett (born April 7, 1947)
and Barbara Lee (born February 6, 1944). It was at the after school
center that they met writer/manager/entrepreneur Ronnie Mack. Mack's
claim to fame at that time was as a local Philadelphia hit by Little
Jimmy and the Tops called "Puppy Love." Though partial to his own
songs, Mack got wind of a new Luther Dixon-Shirley Owens composition
in the summer of 1960. Owns was lead singer of the Shirelles, so it
was only natural that they record the song "Tonight's the Night." Mack
decided that the one way to get publicity would be have the unknown
Chiffons cover "Tonight's the Night" and to fight it out on the charts
with the more established Shirelles.

The girls than choose the name Chiffons out of the hat. Mack than
signed the trio to Big Deal Records. They then recorded "Tonight's the
Night," and both versions hit the charts on September 12th. The
Shirelles, having a stronger lead vocalist and fuller harmonies
climbed to #39 while the Chiffons' first release managed to reach #76.
http://www.history-of-rock.com/chiffons.htm