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{{Short description|American girl group}} |
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{{about|the [[United States|American]] band|the [[United Kingdom|British]] band|The Four Pennies}} |
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{{Distinguish|text = the British band [[The Four Pennies]]}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=October 2015}} |
{{More citations needed|date=October 2015}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> |
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> |
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| name = The Chiffons |
| name = The Chiffons |
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| image = The Chiffons.jpg |
| image = The Chiffons.jpg |
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| caption = |
| caption = The Chiffons in 1966 |
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| image_size = |
| image_size = |
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| alias = The Four Pennies |
| alias = The Four Pennies |
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| origin = [[The Bronx]], [[New York City]], United States |
| origin = [[The Bronx]], [[New York City]], United States |
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| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]<ref>{{cite book |last=MacLeod |first=Sean |year=2015 |title= Leaders of the Pack |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X59ZCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA81 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=81 }}</ref> |
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]<ref>{{cite book |last=MacLeod |first=Sean |year=2015 |title= Leaders of the Pack |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X59ZCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA81 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=81 |isbn=9781442252028 }}</ref> |
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| years_active = 1960–present |
| years_active = 1960–present |
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| label = [[Laurie Records|Laurie]] |
| label = [[Laurie Records|Laurie]] |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Origins=== |
===Origins=== |
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The group was originally a trio of schoolmates |
The group was originally a trio of schoolmates - lead singer [[Judy Craig]], backed by Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee - enrolled at [[James Monroe High School (New York)|James Monroe High School]] in [[the Bronx]] in 1960.<ref name="Larkin60">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0149-X|page=111}}</ref> In 1962, at the suggestion of songwriter [[Ronnie Mack]], 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". |
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===Recordings=== |
===Recordings=== |
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The group |
The group chose the name The Chiffons while recording and releasing their first single, "[[He's So Fine]]",<ref name="Larkin60"/> written by Ronnie Mack, produced by [[The Tokens]] of "[[The Lion Sleeps Tonight]]" fame, and released on the [[Laurie Records]] label. "He's So Fine" hit No. 1 in the [[United States]], selling over one million copies, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book |
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| first= Joseph |
| first= Joseph |
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| last= Murrells |
| last= Murrells |
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}}</ref> (This sales figure would have qualified the record for [[platinum certification|platinum]] status under the current [as of 2011] [[RIAA certification]] standards, effective since 1975, that lowered the "gold" certification threshold to 500,000 copies and set the "platinum" threshold at 1 million.) |
}}</ref> (This sales figure would have qualified the record for [[platinum certification|platinum]] status under the current [as of 2011] [[RIAA certification]] standards, effective since 1975, that lowered the "gold" certification threshold to 500,000 copies and set the "platinum" threshold at 1 million.) |
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The Chiffons immediately released their first LP ''He's So Fine'' (which charted at |
The Chiffons immediately released their first LP ''He's So Fine'' (which charted at No. 97) and began touring the East Coast and Midwest states primarily. Within a few months, the group released their second LP, ''One Fine Day''.<ref name="Larkin60"/> |
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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]] and [[Carole King]]'s "[[One Fine Day (song)|One Fine Day]]", "Sweet Talkin' Guy" and "I Have A Boyfriend" |
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]] and [[Carole King]]'s "[[One Fine Day (song)|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]], Carl Spencer and [[Bert Berns]]). |
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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). 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. |
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). 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. |
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The next Top 10 hit for the Chiffons was "Sweet-Talking Guy" in mid 1966 which |
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.<ref name="Larkin60"/> The Chiffons did their first overseas tourof 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. |
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Laurie released several minor US chart hits on 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. |
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===Personnel changes=== |
===Personnel changes=== |
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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. |
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In 1970, [[George Harrison]] released the song "[[My Sweet Lord]]", whose musical similarities to "He's So Fine" prompted the estate of Ronnie Mack to file a [[copyright infringement]] claim. The Chiffons went on to record "My Sweet Lord" in 1975. A judge later found that Harrison had unintentionally [[plagiarism|plagiarized]] the earlier song.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/law/library/cases/case_brightharrisongs.html |title=Bright Tunes Music v. Harrisongs Music |access-date=2007-09-05 |year=2002 |publisher=Columbia Law School Arthur W. Diamond Law Library Music Plagiarism Project }}</ref> |
In 1970, [[George Harrison]] released the song "[[My Sweet Lord]]", whose musical similarities to "He's So Fine" prompted the estate of Ronnie Mack to file a [[copyright infringement]] claim.<ref name="Larkin60"/> The Chiffons went on to record "My Sweet Lord" in 1975.<ref name="Larkin60"/> A judge later found that Harrison had unintentionally [[plagiarism|plagiarized]] the earlier song.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/law/library/cases/case_brightharrisongs.html |title=Bright Tunes Music v. Harrisongs Music |access-date=2007-09-05 |year=2002 |publisher=Columbia Law School Arthur W. Diamond Law Library Music Plagiarism Project }}</ref> |
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Sylvia returned to the Chiffons during the 1980s. On May 15, 1992, Barbara Lee died from a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]], 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.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} |
Sylvia returned to the Chiffons during the 1980s. On May 15, 1992, Barbara Lee died from a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]], 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.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} |
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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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sylvia Peterson |url=https://www.forevermissed.com/sylvia-peterson/about |website=Forever Missed |access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=RIP Sylvia Peterson of the Chiffons. |url=https://www.facebook.com/billy.vera/posts/pfbid0MCNA2xUUmY7n7J7GLvPSLQbqHJ2NBiVKxHNAQMmP7QoEUk7hYY7FEHeGEtL5wZDUl |website=Billy Vera on Facebook |access-date=13 February 2024 |date=31 July 2023}}</ref> |
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===California-based group of the same name=== |
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Numerous references to the contrary notwithstanding, the Chiffons who recorded a version of the Shirelles' "Tonight's the Night" on Big Deal Records in 1960, is a California group, with no relation to the New York Chiffons. |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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'''Standard albums''' |
'''Standard albums''' |
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{{Div col}} |
{{Div col}} |
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*1963: ''He's So Fine'' [[Laurie Records]] – LLP 2018<ref name = Laurie>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/laurie/01laurie1-2000.html|title=Laurie Album Discography, Part 1|website=Bsnpubs.com|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> (US #97) |
*1963: ''He's So Fine'' [[Laurie Records]] – LLP 2018<ref name = Laurie>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/laurie/01laurie1-2000.html|title=Laurie Album Discography, Part 1|website=Bsnpubs.com|access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> (US #97) |
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#"[[He's So Fine]]" |
#"[[He's So Fine]]" |
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#"[[Da Doo Ron Ron]]" |
#"[[Da Doo Ron Ron]]" |
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#"[[I Wonder Why]]” |
#"[[I Wonder Why]]” |
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#"Foolish Little Girl" |
#"[[Foolish Little Girl (song)|Foolish Little Girl]]" |
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#"I'm Going to Dry My Eyes" |
#"I'm Going to Dry My Eyes" |
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#"Did You Ever Go Steady" |
#"Did You Ever Go Steady" |
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#"March" |
#"March" |
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#"Keep the Boy Happy" |
#"Keep the Boy Happy" |
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#"See You in September" |
#"[[See You in September]]" |
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*1970: ''My Secret Love'' [[B.T. Puppy Records]] – BTPS-1011 |
*1970: ''My Secret Love'' [[B.T. Puppy Records]] – BTPS-1011 |
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#"Every Boy And Every Girl" |
#"Every Boy And Every Girl" |
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'''Compilations''' |
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| ⚫ | |||
'''Compilation albums''' |
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*1974: ''Everything You Always Wanted to Hear by the Chiffons but Couldn't Get'' |
*1974: ''Everything You Always Wanted to Hear by the Chiffons but Couldn't Get'' |
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*1979: ''The Chiffons Sing the Hits of the 50s & 60s'' |
*1979: ''The Chiffons Sing the Hits of the 50s & 60s'' |
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*2004: ''Absolutely The Best!'' |
*2004: ''Absolutely The Best!'' |
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*2006: ''Sweet Talkin' Girls'' |
*2006: ''Sweet Talkin' Girls'' |
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| ⚫ | |||
'''Singles''' |
'''Singles''' |
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*1963: "[[He's So Fine]]"/"Oh My Lover" (US #1, UK #16) |
*1963: "[[He's So Fine]]"/"Oh My Lover" (US #1, R&B #1, UK #16) |
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*1963: "Lucky Me"/"Why Am I So Shy" |
*1963: "Lucky Me"/"Why Am I So Shy" |
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*1963: "[[One Fine Day (song)|One Fine Day]]"/"Why Am I So Shy" (US #5, UK #29) |
*1963: "[[One Fine Day (song)|One Fine Day]]"/"Why Am I So Shy" (US #5, R&B #6, UK #29) |
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*1963: "A Love So Fine"/"Only My Friend" (US #40) |
*1963: "A Love So Fine"/"Only My Friend" (US #40, R&B #50) |
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*1963: "I Have a Boyfriend"/"I'm Gonna Dry My Eyes" (US #36) |
*1963: "I Have a Boyfriend"/"I'm Gonna Dry My Eyes" (US #36, R&B #6) |
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*1964: "Sailor Boy"/"When the Summer Is Through" (US #81) |
*1964: "Sailor Boy"/"When the Summer Is Through" (US #81, R&B #24) |
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*1964: "Easy to Love"/"Tonight I Met an Angel" |
*1964: "Easy to Love"/"Tonight I Met an Angel" |
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*1964: "What Am I Gonna Do With You (Hey Baby)"/"Strange, Strange Feeling" |
*1964: "What Am I Gonna Do With You (Hey Baby)"/"Strange, Strange Feeling" |
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*1975: "[[My Sweet Lord]]"/"Main Nerve" |
*1975: "[[My Sweet Lord]]"/"Main Nerve" |
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*1976: "Dream Dream Dream"/"Oh My Lover" |
*1976: "Dream Dream Dream"/"Oh My Lover" |
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==In popular culture== |
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* Chiffon is the name of one of the girl-group-inspired narrators in the musical ''[[Little Shop of Horrors (musical)|Little Shop of Horrors]]''. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Doo-wop groups]] |
[[Category:Doo-wop groups]] |
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[[Category:Laurie Records artists]] |
[[Category:Laurie Records artists]] |
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[[Category:1960 establishments in New York |
[[Category:1960 establishments in New York City]] |
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[[Category:21st-century American women]] |
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[[Category:Musical groups from the Bronx]] |
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 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this articlebyadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "The Chiffons" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The Chiffons
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The Chiffons in 1966
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Four Pennies |
| Origin | The Bronx, New York City, United States |
| Genres | Pop[1] |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Labels | Laurie |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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The Chiffons were an American girl group originating from the Bronx, a borough of New York City, in 1960.
The group was originally a trio of schoolmates - lead singer Judy Craig, backed by Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee - enrolled at James Monroe High Schoolinthe Bronx in 1960.[2] In 1962, at the suggestion of songwriter Ronnie Mack, 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".
The group chose the name The Chiffons while recording and releasing their first single, "He's So Fine",[2] written by Ronnie Mack, produced by The Tokens of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" fame, and released on the Laurie Records label. "He's So Fine" hit No. 1 in the United States, selling over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[3] (This sales figure would have qualified the record for platinum status under the current [as of 2011] RIAA certification standards, effective since 1975, that lowered the "gold" certification threshold to 500,000 copies and set the "platinum" threshold at 1 million.)
The Chiffons immediately released their first LP He's So Fine (which charted at No. 97) and began touring the East Coast and Midwest states primarily. Within a few months, the group released their second LP, One Fine Day.[2]
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 and Carole King'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, Carl Spencer and Bert Berns).
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). 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.[2] 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 on 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.
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 released the song "My Sweet Lord", whose musical similarities to "He's So Fine" prompted the estate of Ronnie Mack to file a copyright infringement claim.[2] The Chiffons went on to record "My Sweet Lord" in 1975.[2] A judge later found that Harrison had unintentionally plagiarized the earlier song.[4]
Sylvia returned to the Chiffons during the 1980s. On May 15, 1992, Barbara Lee died from a heart attack, 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.[citation needed]
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.[5][6]
Singles
Standard albums
Compilation albums
Singles
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