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A SPECTROPOP Essay by Don Charles If you tune in to radio stations, listen to TV commercials, or attend movie theaters, I bet it hasn't been too long since you heard a song written and/or produced by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. Was it "Chapel Of Love?" "Montego Bay?" "Baby, I Love You?" "Da Doo Ron Ron?" Or "Hanky Panky?" Did your clock radio wake you up this morning to the strains of The Ronettes singing "Be My Baby?" As you drove to work, did you catch The Shangri-Las' "Remember (Walkin' In The Sand)" on the car radio? When you got home and turned the TV on, did you find yourself popping fingers to a commercial featuring The Monkees singing "I'm A Believer?" Did you recently rent the movie How To Knit An American Quilt and catch the lead characters groovin' to Neil Diamond's "Cherry, Cherry?" Or hear Darlene Love's majestic voice shouting out "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)" in the film Gremlins? If you recently went to see the documentary Beefcake at your local art film house, were you entertained by scenes of 1950s muscle men posing and preening to the beat of The Raindrops' "The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget?" And whenever you hear Ray Peterson's heartrending performance of "Tell Laura I Love Her," doesn't it still choke you up a little bit, just like the first time you heard it? If you're like me, you know these great records like you know your best friend. For lovers of vintage rock 'n' roll, they truly are best friends, and it's a friendship that's been going on for an awfully long time. Wouldja believe . . . forty years??! Yes, that's how long Barry and Greenwich have been on the pop music scene, writing and producing the soundtrack of our lives. (More often than not, they sing background vocals on it, too!) Jeff and Ellie's music perfectly captures the spirit of teenage America. No, I don't mean the rather brutal current spirit of bizarre tattoos, body piercings, STDS, drug and alcohol addiction, and high school massacres. I'm talking about that fanciful melange of '50s, '60s and '70s youth culture that has taken root in our collective memory: Drive-in movies, dance crazes, cheeseburgers and strawberry malts, pajama parties, top-down convertibles, prom nights, graduation days, and the flush of first love. I would go even further and say that the classic pop songs of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich are in themselves Americana. They're our American songs, whether we hail from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle, Minneapolis, Nashville, or Shawnee Mission, Kansas. They belong to us, and they represent the very best of who and what we are. Although they've often been dismissed as "kiddie pop" and "bubble gum music," their appeal transcends age, as well as race, class, gender and even sexual orientation! (Take my word for it.) Songs like "Doo-Wah-Diddy," "Be My Baby," "Then He Kissed Me," "Leader Of The Pack" and "Sugar, Sugar" go with growing up in America during those golden years just like catsup goes with your French fries: You couldn't possibly imagine eating the fries without it! Music that has insinuated itself so deeply into our national tapestry (not to mention its tremendous popularity around the world) deserves to be honored. Isn't it time? Time for one or more of the major reissue labels to compile a Jeff and Ellie songbook collection; time for individual artists to record tribute albums to Jeff and Ellie; and most of all, time for Jeff and Ellie to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame! Ironically, their songs have been played at induction ceremonies more than once. In a letter dated December 6, 1999, Terry Stewart, CEO and President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, wrote these words: "There is no doubt that Rock And Roll would not be what it is without the contribution of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. At the same time . . . we receive literally thousands of such recommendations, many of which are as worthy." This I find impossible to believe! There are few people as worthy of this honor as Jeff and Ellie, and none more so. They've made a deep and indelible mark on rock 'n' roll; their compositions have been recorded by hundreds of top artists, from Bette Midler, Linda Ronstadt and Bruce Springsteen to Mick Jagger, Mariah Carey and John Lennon. They belong in the company of Jerry Wexler, Leiber and Stoller, Doc Pomus, Phil Spector, and other legendary non-performers the Hall has honored in past years. And by the way . . . Jeff and Ellie have worked with ALL of these inductees! If their talents were so essential to people like Jerry Wexler and Phil Spector, why aren't they essential to the folks in Cleveland? Let's gently but firmly set Terry Stewart straight. Please support a petition effort to nominate and induct Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Just visit the URL listed below, read what the petition says, and if you agree with it, leave your cyber-John Hancock, along with some personal comments about Jeff and Ellie's music. More and more signatures are being added every day. There's strength in numbers . . . together, we can STORM the Hall. Jeff and Ellie are the people's choice, and to quote an activist chant from the civil rights movement, "the people, united, can never be defeated!"
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The Ellie Greenwich Web Site
"...Brooklyn-born Ellie moved to Levittown at age 11 and was writing songs by 13. At that time she formed her first 'girls group,' The Jivettes, with two high school friends and the trio performed original songs at hospitals, schools and charity benefits throughout Long Island. When her mother arranged a meeting for Ellie with Cadence Records president Archie Bleyer (of Everly Brothers and Chordettes fame), the young talent was advised "to keep writing, but finish school." ...and Ellie did just that. She attended Hofstra University, was it's Spring Queen and was graduated with top honors, a BA degree in English, and a listing in "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.'...". |
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Jeff Barry at SpectropopThe name Jeff Barry, though not widely recognized outside the music business, is practically synonymous with American pop music in the 1960s. The music and lyrics he's written have sold upwards of 40 million records. He's worked at the right hand of pioneering music industry figures like Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, George Goldner, Don Kirshner and Phil Spector. >>>presented by Spectropop |
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Ellie Greenwich Profile
"Songwriter Ellie Greenwich helped to shape and popularize the "girl group" sound of the early '60s that included such acts as the Ronettes, the Shangri-Las and the Crystals, becoming, in the process, one of the most respected pop songwriters of the era...". |
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The Barry/Greenwich Profile"Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich compromised one of the most successful Brill Building songwriting-production teams to supply hit compositions to Phil Spector and Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in the early '60s. Barry and Greenwich were the most attuned to young America's hearts and minds, with a natural sense of teenage idiom..." >>>presented by the History of Rock |
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Listen to the Red Bird Story
Listen to Real Audio and LiquidAudio samples of all the great songs written and/or produced by Jeff and Ellie for Red Bird Records here: The definitive 4 disc box set collection of recordings from the Red Bird and Blue Cat labels. Released by Charly Records in 1991. 1 Bossa Nova Baby - Tippie And The Clovers; 2 My Heart Said (The Bossa Nova) - Tippie And The Clovers; 3 Big Bad World - Cathy Saint; 4 Mr. Heartbreak - Cathy Saint; 5 Everybody Come Clap Your Hands - Moody And The Deltas; 6 He Ain't No Angel - Leola And The Lovejoys; 7 I Won't Be Me Anymore - Vic Donna; 8 Go Now - Bessie Banks; 9 It Sounds Like My Baby - Bessie Banks; 10 Boy From New York City, The - Ad Libs; 11 Searchin' - Alvin Robinson; 12 Something You Got - Alvin Robinson; 13 Chapel Of Love - Dixie Cups; 14 I Want To Love Him So Bad - Jelly Beans; 15 I Know He Loves Me - Chi Chi McCauley; 16 Top Down Time - Rock Always; 17 Keep It Up - Soul Brothers; 18 I Got A Dream - Soul Brothers; 19 People Say - Dixie Cups; 20 How Can I Get Over You - Alvin Robinson; 21 I'm Gonna Put Some Hurt On You - Alvin Robinson; 22 Remember (Walking In The Sand) - Shangri-Las; 23 Goodnight Baby - Butterflies; 24 Down Home Girl - Alvin Robinson; 25 Let The Good Times Roll - Alvin Robinson; 1 Bottom Of My Soul - Alvin Robinson; 2 Fever - Alvin Robinson; 3 Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget - Jelly Beans; 4 Baby Be Mine - Jelly Beans; 5 Ask Anybody - Ad Libs; 6 He Ain't No Angel - Ad Libs; 7 Welcome To My Heart - The Bouquets; 8 Having A Party - Ronnie Mitchell; 9 Bad As They Come - Sam Hawkins; 10 Hold On Baby - Sam Hawkins; 11 Dum Dum Ditty, The - The Goodies; 12 Sophisticated Boom Boom - The Goodies; 13 Standing By - Dee Dee Warwick; 14 Don't Think My Baby's Coming Back - Dee Dee Warwick; 15 Leader Of The Pack - Shangri-Las; 16 What Is Love - Shangri-Las; 17 Take Me For A Little While - Evie Sands; 18 Run Home To Your Mama - Evie Sands; 19 I Know It's Alright - Evie Sands; 20 Amy - Barry Mann; 21 Gee, Baby Gee - The Butterflies; 22 I Wonder - The Butterflies; 23 Little Bell - Dixie Cups; 24 Another Boy Like Mine - Dixie Cups; 25 Give Him A Great Big Kiss - Shangri-Las; 1 Twist And Shout - Shangri-Las; 2 Maybe - Shangri Las; 3 Shout - Shangri-las; 4 I Can't Let Go - Evie Sands; 5 New York Is A Lonely Town - Tradewinds; 6 I'm Just A Down Home Girl - Ad Libs; 7 Iko, Iko - Dixie Cups; 8 Gee, Baby Gee - Dixie Cups; 9 I Hurt On The Other Side - Sidney Barnes; 10 I'm Gonna Get You Yet - Dixie Cups; 11 Out In The Streets - Shangri-Las; 12 Our Love Can Still Be Saved - Jeff Barry; 13 I'll Still Love You - Jeff Barry; 14 Give Us Your Blessings - Shangri-Las; 15 Heaven Only Knows - Shangri-Las; 16 Gee The Moon Is Shining Bright - Dixie Cups; 17 You Don't Know - Ellie Greenwich; 18 Baby - Ellie Greenwich; 19 Right Now And Not Later - Shangri-Las; 20 Train From Kansas City, The - Shangri-Las; 21 If There's Anything Else You Want (Let Me Know) - Roddie Joy; 22 Fugitive From Love - Linda Jones; 23 You Hit Me Like T. N. T. - Linda Jones; 24 I'm So Glad - Sidney Barnes; 25 I Hear You Say (I Love You Baby) - Andy Kim; 1 Hey Little Girl - Jimmie Cross; 2 I Can Never Go Home Anymore - Shangri-Las; 3 Sophisticated Boom Boom - Shangri-Las; 4 Long Live Our Love - Shangri-Las; 5 He Cried - Shangri-Las; 6 Dressed In Black - Shangri-Las; 7 It Will Only Make Me Love You More - Ral Donner; 8 He Will Break Your Heart - Kane & Abel; 9 Past Present And Future - Shangri-Las; 10 Paradise - Shangri-Las; 11 Love You More Than Yesterday - Shangri-Las; 12 Mary Weiss Speaks; 13 Let The Music - Didi Noel; 14 It Was A Lie - Booby Moore & The Fourmosts; 15 Dressed In Black - Shadow Morton; 16 Chapel Of Love - Jelly Beans; 17 Here She Comes - Jelly Beans; 18 Ain't Love A Funny Thing - Jelly Beans; 19 Whisper Sweet Things - Jelly Beans; 20 Goodnight Baby - Jelly Beans; 21 Do Wah Diddy - Jelly Beans >>>presented by Yahoo Music |
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Ellie Greenwich"Greenwich's singing career began in 1958 with 'Cha-Cha-Charming', released under the name Ellie Gaye. Two years later she met budding songwriter Jeff Barry and, following a release as Ellie Gee And The Jets, the couple formed the Raindrops in 1963. The group enjoyed a US Top 20 hit with 'The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget', but increased demand on the now-married duo's compositional skills led to the band's demise. Having abandoned respective partnerships with Toni Powers and Art Resnick, Greenwich and Barry enjoyed a sustained period of success with a series of notable compositions, including 'Do Wah Diddy' (the Exciters / Manfred Mann ), 'I Wanna Love Him So Bad' (the Jelly Beans ) and 'Hanky Panky' ( Tommy James And The Shondells )...". >>>presented by Yahoo Music |
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Ellie Greenwich - I Can Hear Music
Listen to samples of all these great Ellie Greenwich works here:
Tracks include:
1 This Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget - The Raindrops;
2 Doo Doo Ron Ron - The Raindrops (sic);
3 Hanky Panky - The Raindrops;
4 You Don't Know;
5 I Want You To Be My Baby;
6 Goodnight, Goodnight (What's So Good About It?);
7 Sunshine After The Rain;
8 Maybe I Know;
9 Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home;
10 Today I Met The Boy I'm Gonna Marry;
11 Then He Kissed Me;
12 If You Loved Me Once;
13 Be My Baby;
14 Chapel of Love;
15 I Can Hear Music;
16 Goodnight Baby / Baby I Love You;
17 River Deep, Mountain High. |
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Ellie Greenwich WorksA complete listing of songs written or co-written by Ellie Greenwich according to the BMI Repertoire Data Base. >>>presented by Broadcast Music Incorporated |
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Red Bird/Blue Cat Album Discography
New York based Red Bird, and its sister label, Blue Cat, existed for a very short time, from 1964-67, but during that time gave us some of the most memorable hits of the '60s. A comprehensive album discography for Red Bird Records. >>>presented by the Both Sides Now |
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Ellie Greenwich Photo Gallery The Ellie Greenwich photo gallery features several photographs of Ellie, both posed shots and candid photos. Ellie Greenwich enthusiasts are sure to like these photos presented through these links at Spectropop. >>>presented by the Girl Groups Fan Club |
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The Butterflies
"Ellie Greenwich was one of the most successful song writers of the sixties, but she also had a fairly successful career as a singer in her own write. Beginning as a solo recording artist, she later became a member of "dummy" recording groups like the Raindrops and the Butterflys. The latter group had a brief touch of hit status on the Red Bird label in late 1964..." >>>presented by the Girl Group Chronicles |
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The Raindrops"Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich wrote some of the best girl group material during that magical era, yet they were not only writers, producers, and arrangers, but also musicians themselves. Greenwich and Barry formed the popular dummy group the Raindrops which had quite a chart presence between 1963 - 64..." >>>presented by Spectropop! |
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The Jelly Beans
"A well remembered group, yet they only had a total of three records! Diane Taylor, Charlie Thomas, Alma Brewer, and Maxine and Elyse Hebert were under the management of Bill Downs. A connection with producers at Red Bird Records led to the group's firrst recording. "I Wanna Love Him So Bad" was a gritty pop record which struck a chord with the teen crowd in the summer of 1964. The kids, just out of high school became over night stars, and they began a gruelling tour of one nighters..." >>>presented by the History of Rock |
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The Shangri-Las at SpectropopSpectropop presents the Shangri-Las. >>>presented by Spectropop |
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The Dixie Cups
The Dixie Cups page at Spectropop >>>presented by Spectropop |
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