THE CHIFFONS - UP ON THE BRIDGE 1968 Laurie 3460.wmv

The Chiffons (1) aka The Four Pennies (1) (Bronx, New York)



Members:

Judy Craig

Sylvia Peterson

Barbara Lee

Patricia Bennett
The Chiffons were formed in 1960 at James Monroe High School in the Bronx, New York. The lead singer was 14 year old Judy Craig, supported by Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee, both 13. It was at the after school center that they met writer/manager Ronnie Mack. Mack's claim to fame at that time was as the promoter of a local Philadelphia hit by Little Jimmy and the Tops called "Puppy Love." He was impressed with the girl's voices and soon had them under contract with 'Big Deal Records'.


Although he was trying to sell his own material, Mack had heard the Shirelles tune, "Tonight's The Night" and thought it fit his new group perfectly. After picking the name "The Chiffons" out of a hat, the girls recorded "Tonight's the Night" in time to go head to head with the Shirelles' version. Having a stronger lead vocalist and fuller harmonies, The Shirelles recording climbed to #39, while the Chiffons' stalled at #76, in September of 1960.


(with arthur Brooks)

Two years had passed when, in the fall of 1962, Mack was hawking some his songs to a new production team in New York City, called 'Bright Tunes'. The producers were Phil and Mitch Margo, Jay Siegel, and Hank Medress, who also sang as "The Tokens". They liked one of Mack's songs called "He's So Fine" and asked if he had a group to sing it. Fearing a negative response would end their interest, he said that he had a terrific group. The Tokens said "Great. Bring them in tomorrow." Mack knew he had no such group, but he also knew that the Chiffons had heard and even sung the song around school. To bolster the harmonies Mack brought in a new girl, Sylvia Peterson, who had sung with Little Jimmie and the Tops.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• THE
• CHIFFONS
• UP
• ON
• BRIDGE
• 1968
• Laurie

[bopava]

Great post. First time I've ever heard this one. Where is XEGM?

[raredoowop]

@bopava ,it's my pleasure.thank you,,

[KGFJ1230DJ]

I played this back in 1968 when I was on XEGM. Thanks for posting it.

[raredoowop]

@KGFJ1230DJ ,it's my pleasure.

[KGFJ1230DJ]

@bopava , Tijuana, Mexico. I recorded my three hour show at my home studio in Anaheim, Ca on three one hour reel-to-reel tapes and Greyhound took them to San Diego (for $1) where my boss picked them up and ran them across the border to the station.