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The harmonies, the melodies, the breakout superstars, the outfits – what’s not to love about the girl groups that set ‘60s dancefloors on fire? The 1960s marked a golden era for music, from psychedelic rock and the British Invasion to soul and R&B.
Building on the smooth R&B and heartfelt doo-wop of the 1950s, a fresh sound emerged. Those crooning love songs were transformed into energetic numbers that married rock ‘n’ roll attitude with irresistible pop hooks.
And the girl groups did it best. They had vocals, huge hairdos, sequins, glamour, and stage presence like no others. They gave us hits that still fill dancefloors today and have inspired some of the greatest artists of the 21st century.
Let’s take a look back at six of the most iconic of these groups, their biggest hits, and their legacies.
1. The Shirelles
Formed in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1957, The Shirelles are often credited with launching the whole ‘60s girl group phenomenon. Schoolfriends Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, Addie Harris, and Beverly Lee formed the band together for a school talent show, but were spotted quickly and, before long, signed to Tiara Records.
They had some success with Tiara and a few other labels, but it was in 1960, when they recorded Will You Love Me Tomorrow, that they got their big break. They shot to the top of the charts, becoming the first African American girl group to reach number one on the Billboard charts.
Over the years, members left, and in 1963, none other than Dionne Warwick herself stood in for two of the band members when they temporarily left to get married. That same year, their relationship with the record label deteriorated when the band members discovered that the label had lied to them about money they’d been promised.
Their initial success and magic began to fade amidst the label troubles, and by the end of the ’60s, the band was no longer the success it had been. Today, their music is beloved, and still-popular songs like Dedicated to the One I Love, Mama Said, and Soldier Boy prove that it’s stood the test of time.
2. The Ronettes
The Ronettes epitomised the 1960s girl group sound. Hailing from Washington Heights in Manhattan, the trio consisted of sisters Veronica (Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett, along with their cousin Nedra Talley. The three had performed together as The Darling Sisters since childhood, but their fortunes transformed when they signed with Phil Spector’s Philles Records and adopted the name that would make them legendary.
Their breakout single ‘Be My Baby’ hit the charts in August of 1963 and went straight to number two on the US charts and number four in the UK. Their beehives, bouffants, and beautiful vocals made them an international hit, and they had nine more hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Songs like ‘Baby, I Love You’ and ‘Walking in the Rain’ – a 1965 Grammy winner – epitomised that yearning, soulful, poppy sound that made ’60s girl groups such a sensation.
The band’s success waned for several reasons, from frontwoman Ronnie’s relationship dynamics with a possessive Phil Spector to their album release being overshadowed by the assassination of JFK. But still, they remained legendary.
‘Be My Baby’ catapulted its way into the hearts of a whole new generation with its appearance in Dirty Dancing in 1987, and their sound and style are thought to be one of Amy Winehouse’s biggest influences. While they never reaped the full financial rewards of it, their biggest hit is widely considered one of the greatest hits of the 60s…if not all time.
3. The Marvelettes
The Marvelettes got together in Inkster, Michigan, in 1960 and became Motown Records’ first signed girl group. Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman, Juanita Cowart, and Wanda Young scored the label’s first number-one hit single.
The iconic ‘Please Mr. Postman’ was released in August 1961 and spent 23 weeks on the Hot 100. The song had all the ingredients for success, including an unexpected contribution from Marvin Gaye, who played drums on the recording while he was still working to establish his own career at Motown.
After their initial roaring success, the Marvelettes continued to deliver hits like ‘Don’t Mess With Bill’ and ‘Beechwood 4-5789’, although their first single remains their biggest hit. Good enough to have been covered by the Beatles themselves in 1963 and the Carpenters in the 70s, the song has remained in the ears of the public for decades.
Various personal issues and other struggles saw band members leave and return over the years until they disbanded in 1969. The song’s enduring appeal is evident in notable covers by the Beatles in 1963 and the Carpenters in the 1970s.
4. The Crystals
The Crystals were a defining New York ‘60s girl group who rose to fame with Phil Spector’s famous Philles label, having been signed shortly after they formed in 1960. During their brief but brilliant career, they delivered huge hits like ‘He’s a Rebel’, ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’, and ‘Then He Kissed Me.’
Their songs showcased Spector’s signature “wall of sound” production, with catchy melodies, harmonies, and lovergirl lyrics capturing the era’s romantic fervour. Behind the scenes, however, tensions mounted.
Spector brought in new singers without the band’s knowledge, and gradually began to give The Ronettes (including his new love interest and eventual wife Ronnie) more and more of his time and attention.
Despite label disputes and an eventual disbandment in 1967, their chart success and influence on pop production are undeniable. ‘Then He Kissed Me’ is still regularly played on the radio and in TV and film today, with moments like Henry and Karen’s first date scene in Goodfellas cementing it as the pinnacle of ‘60s girl group pop.
5. The Supremes
Formed in 1959 as The Primettes, The Supremes – Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard – adopted their new name after signing with Detroit’s Motown Records in 1962. They had been performing for some time, but under Motown Records’ guidance, they inched closer to their big break. It still took a while, and for a time, the band were even known as The ‘no hit’ Supremes by their label mates.
Then, in the spring of 1964, with Diana Ross as the newly official lead singer, they recorded a song called ‘Where Did Our Love Go’. The song was released while they were on tour with Dick Clark’s ‘Caravan of Stars’ show, and went straight to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and to number three on the UK charts. After that, they followed up with four more number-one hits: ‘Baby Love’ (also a chart-topping hit in the UK), ‘Come See About Me’, ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ and ‘Back in My Arms Again’.
The Supremes were about high-glamour, high-fashion, and high hairdos, and became a global household name. However, as Ross’s star shone brighter and brighter, tensions arose within the group. Florence Ballard struggled with the dynamics and began to exhibit problems with alcohol abuse, until she was eventually removed from the band in 1967 after a particularly bad gig.
Ross left to pursue her solo career in 1970. Their legacy will live on forever through their hits, and their story has famously been immortalised in Dreamgirls, with Beyoncé playing Deena (based on Diana Ross), and Jennifer Hudson playing Effie (based on Florence Ballard).
6. The Fabs
Did you know we had our very own home-grown British girl group in the ‘60s? The Fabs were a Welsh group put together in 1963 by impresario Wally “Waldini” Bishop. They never quite reached the dizzying heights that the American supergroups did, but Sarah Wrigley, Linda Galliford, Marie Turner, and Margaret Lewis were a success story nonetheless.
The Fabs toured in Germany, around South Wales, and made it to Acapulco, the Azores, San Francisco, and several US Army bases, where they went down a storm.
In their years together, they played alongside The Who and Chuck Berry, and rubbed shoulders with superstars, with none other than Steve McQueen telling them he loved watching them play. They largely played covers, but did write a few original songs, and released one album in Mexico that’s become a cult classic.
Unfortunately, at the time, the UK was a difficult place for a girl group trying to make it. Even Roger Daltry from The Who had a comment for them after they came off stage, saying “you’re quite good, love, but you won’t get anywhere”, because pop groups in the UK at the time were all male.
In 1971, The Fabs played their final gig and disbanded to focus on their families. But their legacy remains, and they blazed a trail at a time when the challenges were stacked against them. Fabulous indeed!
Final thoughts…
Despite battling sexism, racism, family pressures, internal rivalries, jealous lovers, and exploitative record companies, the girl groups of the 1960s left an indelible mark on the music industry that will resonate forever.
Their harmonious hits, incredible vocals and bold ambition broke barriers, inspiring generations of artists and fans across the UK and beyond. From The Supremes to The Fabs, they each had the power to fill dancefloors all over the world back in the ‘60s, and still do today.
For further reading, check out our article: Music stars of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s – where are they now?
Are you a fan of these iconic girl groups, or ‘60s music in general? Let us know your favourite groups and songs in the comments below!
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