Follows the history of the girl singing groups and singers of the sixties, including the Shangri-Las, the Supremes, and Lesley Gore, and explains how this particular style of music developed
At first I was drawn to the beautiful design of this book. Kudos to Ed Caraeff for his work bringing Alan Betrock's gem to life.
Any rock 'n' roll music lover will enjoy this and appreciate the backstory of this exciting time in music. The Crystals, Shirelles, Martha (Reeves) and the Vandellas, Little Eva, Dee Dee Sharp, Leslie Gore, Mary Wells, The Dixie Cups, Shangri-Las, Darlene Love, The Chiffons, The Essex, The Ronettes, Marvelettes and Supremes were, and still are, a joy to hear. The musical phenomenon was developed predominantly in the New York area, additionally Philadelphia produced Patti La Belle and the Blue Bells, The Spinners, O'Jays, Freddy Canon, Solomon Burke, Three Degrees, Chubby Checker, Zacherle and the Dick Clark Show. The term Girl Groups does not really explain the scope of music at the time, nor does it cover what's covered in this book.
Born in 1951, Betrock grew up in Queens right when all this music was hitting the airwaves. He writes as if he was there in the middle of it, working in music business. He makes it easy to follow the relationships, the songs and intricacies if the world of record labels, writers, producers, the top 100 and top 40 charts, the dances and the talent who produced the music. His outstanding collection of music memorabilia graces the pages of this book. It's all here. It's an enjoyable, all-encompassing book about what many of us think is an incredibly important part of American life and culture.