If you close your eyes and think about the early 1960s, a certain sound will likely spring to mind. Instantly, you’ll begin to think of that classic R&B sound from the era and those fantastic groups who helped define it.
And that’s just what we wanted to explore below. We wanted to dive into the sound of the era and remember four acts that helped to establish it. Indeed, here are four girl groups from the early 1960s who defined a classic sound.
Videos by American Songwriter
The Shirelles
The Shirelles helped to begin the 1960s with girl group music. Indeed, the collective dropped their debut album in December of 1960. That LP, Tonight’s the Night, included the group’s breakout hit single, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”. The Shirelles would release a dozen more albums, including nine more during the 1960s. Today, the band is remembered as being one of the first in a beloved style.
The Marvelettes
The Marvelettes released their debut album, Please Mr. Postman, in 1961. That album included the hit single of the same name—a song that still rings out today on various television shows, ads, and movies. The singing group would go on to release eight more LPs during the 1960s, along with a number of records post-the seminal decade. Bottom line: they are a musical good time.
The Ronettes
While The Ronettes only released one formal studio album—the fabulous 1964 LP, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes—the famed girl group released several singles years prior to that. The Ronettes dropped their debut track, “I Want A Boy”, in 1961. More singles followed, including the timeless tune “Be My Baby”, in 1963. Today, they are remembered as perhaps the best example of an early 1960s singing group.
The Supremes
The Supremes are an iconic, all-time group. The Diana Ross-led project released its debut LP, Meet The Supremes, in 1962. From there, they released a whopping 17 more albums in the 1960s before Ross chose to pursue a solo career in 1970. But no matter what happened during the 1970s, The Supremes are remembered today as being the Platonic Ideal of a 1960s girl group.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
More The List
-
American singer-songwriter and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte, wearing a striped shirt, in an recording studio, circa 1957. The sound engineer is visible working at the console to the right of the frame. (Photo by Archive Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
25th November 1963: A group shot of the Beatles, Ringo Starr (in the background), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and John Lennon (1940 – 1980), pictured during a performance on Granada TV's Late Scene Extra television show filmed in Manchester, England on November 25, 1963. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) -
Photo by George Wilkes/Hulton Archive/Getty Images -
The Beach Boys had multiple hit songs in 1966 -
1991: Singer Michael Stipe of American rock band R.E.M. performing live. (Photo by BSR Agency/Gentle Look via Getty Images) -
1975: British rock band Queen (clockwise from top: Brian May, Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor and John Deacon pose for an Electra Records publicity still to promote their album 'A Night at the Opera' in 1975. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
