Commentary Darleen Love

Darlene Wright began singing with her local church choir in Hawthorne, California. While still in high school (1959) she was invited to join a little-known girl group called The Blossoms, who in 1962 began working with producer Phil Spector. With her powerful voice she was soon a highly sought-after vocalist, and managed to work with many of the legends of the 1950s and 1960s rock and soul, including Sam Cooke, Dionne Warwick, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and Sonny and Cher; Darlene and the Blossoms sang backup vocals on Shelley Fabares's hit, "Johnny Angel" as well as John Phillips' solo album John, Wolfking of L.A. recorded in 1969. They also appeared on Johnny Rivers' hits including "Poor Side of Town" and Motown covers "Baby I Need Your Loving" and "The Tracks of My Tears." (The Blossoms recorded singles, usually with little success, on Capitol 1957-58 [pre-Darlene Love], Challenge 1961-62, OKeh 1963, Reprise 1966-67, Ode 1967, MGM 1968, Bell 1969-70, and Lion 1972.)With The Blossoms, she also sang backing vocals on many of the biggest hits of the 1960s, including Spector's own "Da Doo Ron Ron" (allegedly recorded with her lead, which was later erased by Spector and re-recorded using Crystals' lead Dolores "LaLa" Brooks). Though credited by Spector as singles recorded by The Crystals, "He's A Rebel" and "He's Sure The Boy I Love" actually featured Love singing lead, backed by The Blossoms. "Today I Met The Boy I'm Gonna Marry" was released as a single by Spector and featured Love's name as the artist. She says that Spector offered her rights to the song or $3,000. And though he said it was going to be a hit, she took the money. But, in spite of that decision, she said that she has continued to have a career because people have loved hearing her sing her songs. She was also part of a trio called Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, who recorded a song in 1962, with their rendition of "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" from the Walt Disney film, Song of the South, which got into the top ten in 1963. The Blossoms landed a weekly part on Shindig!, one of the top music shows of the era. They were part of the highly acclaimed Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special, which aired on NBC.==Album Releases==*1963 - Various Artists "A Christmas Gift For You" (Philles Records #4005)*1963 - Various Artists "Today's Hits" (Philles Records #4004)*1977 - Various Artists "Phil Spector's Greatest Hits" (Warner/Spector Records #9104)*1978 - Various Artists "Lakeshore Music presents Rock and Roll Forever" (Warner Special Products #2508) (same as above release)*1985 - "Leader Of the Pack" Original Broadway Cast (Elektra Records 60420)*1985 - "Darlene Love Live!" (Rhino Records RNLP 855)*1988 - "Paint Another Picture" (Columbia Records #40605)*1990 - Various Artists "Dick Tracy: Music from and inspired by the film" (Sire/Reprise Records #26236)*1991 - Various Artists "Back To Mono 1958-1969" (Abkco Records 7118) (boxed set)*1992 - Various Artists "A Very Special Christmas 2" (A&M Records #450003)*1992 - "The Best Of Darlene Love" (The Philles Recordings) (Abkco Records 7213)*1992 - "Bringing It Home" (with Lani Groves) (Shanachie Records #9003)*1998 - Various Artists "Grease Is the Word" (Rhino Records)*2007 - "It's Christmas Of Course" (Shout Factory Records #10569)