The Ronettes

The Ronettes - "Shout" 1965
Sorry about sound my hickup.T he Ronettes were a 1960s girl group from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. They consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett (a.k.a. Ronnie Spector); her sister, the late Estelle Bennett; and their cousin Nedra Talley. Their defining album is Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica from 1964, and their most famous songs include "Be My Baby," "Baby, I Love You," "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up," and "(Walking) In the Rain." The Ronettes were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.

It was believed that Phil Spector, in his capacity as a member of the Board of Governors, deliberately prevented The Ronettes (and Darlene Love) from being nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, although they had been eligible for a considerable period.

The alleged reasons included the acrimonious divorce of Ronnie and Spector, in addition to the group having (unsuccessfully) sued Spector for back royalties. While Spector was awaiting trial on a murder charge and out on $1 million bail, the Ronettes were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a March 12, 2007, ceremony held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Keith Richards, a self-confessed longtime fan, inducted the trio.

Ronnie Bennett (Spector) and Nedra Talley performed "Baby I Love You," "(Walking) In the Rain," and "Be My Baby." Estelle Bennett was present to accept her award but did not perform. Wikipedia

Sonny Charles & Checkmates Ltd

Sonny Charles & Checkmates Ltd - Black Pearl (1969)
Sonny Charles (born Charles Hemphill, 4 September 1940) is an American soul singer from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was the lead singer of Checkmates, Ltd. in the 1960s and 1970s, and it is his vocals that are heard out front on their 1969 hit, "Black Pearl."

Charles launched a solo career in the early 1970s, and after a brief reunion with The Checkmates, again in the 1980s. Thereafter, he toured with another member of the Checkmates LTD, Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith, under the Checkmates name.

Charles' 1982 album, The Sun Still Shines, recorded on Highrise Records, hit #136 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart and #14 on the U.S. Black Albums chart on the strength of the single "Put it in a Magazine", which went to #2 on the R&B Singles chart[3] and #40 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1983. The follow-up single, "Always on My Mind", peaked at #53, but Charles quickly fell from view.

In 2008 Sonny Charles joined the Steve Miller band and toured with them.

Crystals

Crystals - Da-Do-Ron-Ron (1986)
This highly influential 60s US female vocal group were the product of Phil Spector, for his pioneering Philles record label. They, along with the Ronettes, were one of the definitive "wall of sound" groups of the 60s.

They came together after meeting in the legendary Brill Building where the group were preparing demos for the Aberbach's famous publishing company Hill and Range. The line-up comprised Dee Dee Kennibrew (Born Dolores Henry, 1945, Brooklyn, New York, USA), La La Brooks (Born 1946, Brooklyn, New York, USA), Pat Wright (Born 1945, Brooklyn, New York, USA), Mary Thomas (Born 1946, Brooklyn, New York, USA) and Barbara Alston, who was their manager's niece.

Spector was impressed and produced the debut "There's No Other (Like My Baby)" in 1961. At this time Spector was developing his unique sound by mixing numerous layers of vocals and instruments onto one mono track. The blurred result was demonstrated on "Uptown" but it was taken to its glorious extreme on Gene Pitney's song "He's A Rebel". The latter featured the lead vocals of Darlene Wright (Love), and, as Spector owned the name, he could use whoever he wanted as the Crystals.

It became a number 1 single in the USA (UK number 19). La la Brooks returned to the lead vocal on two further hits that have since become timeless classics, "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me", both major hits in 1963. The Beach Boys attempted a Spector-like production with their own version, "Then I Kissed Her", in 1967. The Crystals were soon overtaken when their mentor devoted more time to the Ronettes, and consequently their career faltered. New members passed through, including Frances Collins, and the band were prematurely banished to the nostalgia circuit.