Personnel :
Judy Craig
Sylvia Peterson
Barbara Lee
Patricia Bennett
Discography :
Album :
Biography :
The Chiffons were formed in 1960 at James Monroe High School in the Bronx, New York. The lead singer was 14 year old Judy Craig, supported by Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee, both 13. It was at the after school center that they met writer/manager Ronnie Mack. Mack's claim to fame at that time was as the promoter of a local Philadelphia hit by Little Jimmy and the Tops called "Puppy Love." He was impressed with the girl's voices .
The Tokens said "Great. Bring them in tomorrow." Mack knew he had no such group, but he also knew that the Chiffons had heard and even sung the song around school. To bolster the harmonies Mack brought in a new girl, Sylvia Peterson, who had sung with Little Jimmie and the Tops. The Chiffons were called into the studio to record the song and in December 1962, it was released on (Laurie Records. By March 20th, 1963, "He's So Fine" was the #1 record on both the Pop and R&B charts and it seemed the whole country was singing the catchy hook line, "doo-lang, doo-lang".
Their next effort, called "Lucky Me" was a total flop. Acting quickly, so as to not lose momentum, the Tokens rushed a third single by having The Chiffons sing to a track that was meant for "Little Eva". That song was a Carole King - Gerry Goffin composition called "One Fine Day", which featured Carole King herself on piano. The record raced up the charts to number 5, and The Chiffons had their second smash, in June of '63. Always thinking of ways to make the most of a good thing, The Tokens then decided to create a dual personality for the group, so at the same time that "One Fine Day" was on the charts, they recorded the Chiffons on (Laurie's 'Rust' subsidiary as 'the Four Pennies'.
The Pennies' first single was "My Block" and it reached the charts three weeks after "One Fine Day. It was a cha-cha rhythmed song with a sound reminiscent of Phil Spector's productions. It turned out to be a weak effort, that only went to #67. In September, the Chiffons had their third Top 40 hit in four tries with "A Love So Fine." Back as the Four Pennies, their September release of "When the Boy's Happy" could only make it to #95 in November. The Chiffons were now in great demand and began appearing on TV's American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, Shindig, as well as Murray the K's Brooklyn Fox live show, and singing commercials.
In late fall of 1963, the Chiffons released "I Have a Boyfriend", a ballad that was a Ronettes styled mix of the early '60s rhythm and blues and doo wop. It reached #36 on the Billboard's Best Seller list in November, but was gone ten weeks later. Several strong Chiffons recordings followed ("Tonight I Met an Angel," "Sailor Boy," and "What Am I Gonna Do With You"), but record buyers were caught up in the "British Invasion" craze and girl groups were "out". All of that changed in the spring of 1966, when The Chiffons scored another Top Ten Hit with "Sweet Talkin' Guy."
After another dry spell, the Tokens moved the group from (Laurie to its own label, 'B.T Puppy' for one single called "My Secret Love" in 1968. That effort also failed to make the charts. By 1970, the Chiffons signed with the Buddah label, singing the Tymes tune "So Much in Love", just as George Harrison was having his first solo hit with, "My Sweet Lord". Taken to court by the original publishers, the ex- Beatle was found guilty of plagiarism and obliged to pay substantial damages, although he always claimed the resemblance was unintentional.
In March 1972, six years after their last chart record, British London Records issued the original recording of "Sweet Talkin Guy" on the U.K. label, 'Stateside'. The record went to #4 in the U.K. while the Chiffons were stuck working in small clubs and didn't even have a U.S. record deal. In 1975, after the "He's So Fine" - "My Sweet Lord" lawsuit was settled, The Chiffons, in a fascinating twist, recorded their version of "My Sweet Lord." In 1976, (Laurie issued the last Chiffon single. "Dream, Dream, Dream", which, to no one's surprise, failed to chart. Judy Craig left the act, while Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee each married.
Various editions of The Chiffons played the oldies circuits for many years. Sadly, Barbara Lee Jones passed away May 15, 1992, one day shy of her 45th birthday.