Diane Ray

Bernadette Carroll

Another blonde with a similar name, Diane Renay, also got quite lucky when an unexpected B-side, "Navy Blue," became a massive hit. While Diane Ray had a mad crush on the lifeguard, Diane Renay gave her heart and soul to the sailor boy. On the cover of her 1964 LP Navy Blue, Diane is dressed in a sailor suit gripping a lifesaver. The whole sailor gimmick went off with a bang when "Kiss me Sailor" reached #29 on the Billboard charts and "Navy Blue" shot to #6! Diane Renay was also one of the few lucky female artists to work with Bob Crewe, producer/songwriter for the 4 Seasons and Mitch Ryder. Crewe was responsible for most of Diane's best records like "Unbelievable Guy" and "Watch Out, Sally!"

Tracey Dey was another blonde who got to work with Bob Crewe. Her first 45 for Vee Jay Records was a Bob Crewe tune called "Jerry, I'm Your Sherry," an answer record to the 4 Seasons' "Sherry." But nothing does this girl's voice justice like "I Won't Tell," released on Amy Records in 1964. Boy could Tracey sing! With its chugging drumbeats and biting vocal line, "I Won't Tell" was way more modern sounding than most records released in '64.

When Bob Crewe wasn't busy writing and producing for the 4 Seasons, he spent a great deal of time working with other artists. The Beach Girls' "Skiing In The Snow," the Rag Dolls' "Dusty," and the Calendar Girls' "People Will Talk" were a few of Bob Crewe's girl group undertakings.

During the sixties it was fairly common for girl groups to sing backup on each others records, as well as to mix and match members for the one-off single. Witness the Chiffons and Ellie Greenwich backing Andrea Carroll on "It Hurts To Be Sixteen" and Cher and Darlene Love singing on numerous Ronettes' recordings. And that infamous Hale and Hushabyes record "Yes Sir That's My Baby?" - well, that's Jackie DeShannon, the Blossoms, Edna Wright of the Honeycone, Jack Nitzsche, Brian Wilson and Sonny & Cher.

Take a group like the Angels, renowned for their 1963 #1 "My Boyfriend's Back," whose songwriting team, Feldman-Goldstein-Gottehrer, were churning out girl group songs at a rapid pace. This songwriting threesome certainly loved their pseudonyms, frequently forming new girl groups under a variety of names. The Powder Puffs, who recorded the hot rod single "My Boyfriend's Woody" were singer Jean Thomas of the Rag Dolls backed up by the Angels. The very same girls called themselves Angie & the Chiclettes for a one off tribute to Ringo Star titled "Treat Him Tender Maureen." The Beach Nuts (though not exactly a girl group) were the Strangeloves backed by the Angels. The Chiclets, responsible for the kinetic "I Want You To Be My Boyfriend," were Diane Christian of the Darlettes backed by Patti Lace & the Petticoats. As a soloist, Diane Christian shared the Angels' songwriting team as well as their label, Smash Records.

The Secrets seemed to have borrowed their sound from the Angels, even though it was songwriters John Madara and David White who championed this Cleveland, Ohio quartet. The Secrets - Pat Miller, Josie Allen, Karen Gray, and Carole Raymont - were fortunate enough to chart at #18 with their debut single "The Boy Next Door." When Karen Gray professes her love for a penniless boy on "Oh Donnie," you know it's really love. Lots of stomping beats, brash vocals and heartfelt ambition on this 1964 gem that disappeared deep into obscurity.

When Angels' lead vocalist Peggy Santiglia took a leave of absence in 1965, Laurie Records' recording artist Bernadette Carroll often took her place. You can go no wrong with Bernadette's six singles for Laurie Records. Each record possesses not only the beautiful melodies and teenage themes that are essential to making a great girl group track, but each single required Bernadette to go that extra mile - to actually become the tight-rope walker in "Circus Girl" or the girl upset over her ruined party in "Happy Birthday." Bernadette always played the part perfectly.