|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLOVE, Darlene(b Darlene Wright, '38, LA) Pop/soul singer. First group was the Blossoms, who recorded unremarkably as a quartet on Capitol '58--60, then as a trio on Challenge and OKeh '60--62; sessioned with James Darren, Bobby Darin, Nino Tempo, April Stevens etc. When Phil Spector moved to the West Coast he recruited Love to sing lead on 'He's A Rebel', written by Gene Pitney: as by the Crystals it was no. 1 USA, top 20 UK, followed up with 'He's Sure The Boy I Love'. He gave her another name for 'Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah', unusual treatment of Oscar-winning song from '47 Walt Disney film Song Of The South: as by Bob B. Sox and the Blue Jeans with her lead, the song went top ten '62. Then he allowed her six singles of her own, of which '(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry' and 'Wait Til' My Bobby Gets Home' were top 40. She remained with the Blossoms as they sessioned through '60s, regulars on TV's Shindig and toured with Elvis early '70s. She made a live comeback LP on Rhino mid-'80s, also starred in off-Broadway show Leader Of The Pack. |