The Beatles: Rare And Unseen

"STOP LOOK AND LISTEN" - Released 1966. THE CHIFFONS were one of the best early 60's New York girl groups originating from the Bronx area, combining sassiness and innocence on several of the style's greatest classics. The Chiffons had some singles under their belt when they reached number one with "He's So Fine". Their follow-up, Goffin-King's "One Fine Day," was just as good, featuring killer piano riffs from King herself. Actually cut as a Little Eva track, the Chiffons' vocal was substituted, resulting in a Top Five hit. There were a couple other memorable hits - "I Have a Boyfriend" and the Motown-influenced "Sweet Talkin' Guy" -- and interesting misfires like the Martha & the Vandellas-inspired "The Real Thing," as well as some singles issued under an alter ego, the Four Pennies. The group recorded quite a bit of material during the 60.s, much of it derivative. "STOP LOOK AND LISTEN" (released on Stateside 559) reached U.S. #85 in 1966. The group comprised Judy Craig (lead singer), Patricia Bennett, Barbara Lee, and Rita Haynes. Sylvia Peterson was added to the group in 1963. Another group from California also used the name "Chiffons" and recorded three singles, including a version of the Shirelles "Tonight's The Night". According to Craig and Bennett, the New York Chiffons have no connection to the other group. The group hit the number one spot in the United States with the song "He's So Fine" as their first single. George Harrison's 1971 song "My Sweet Lord" was musically similar, prompting a copyright infringement claim. The Chiffons went on to record "My Sweet Lord" in 1975. A judge later found that Harrison had unintentionally plagiarized the earlier song. Their first hit was followed by other notable tunes such as Gerry Goffin and Carole King's "One Fine Day", "Sweet Talkin' Guy" and "I Have A Boyfriend". Their Top 40 single "I Have A Boyfriend" was playing on Dallas station KLIF on November 22, 1963 and was interrupted by the first radio bulletins of the JFK assassination. The group also released material under the title The Four Pennies. They released two singles on the Rust Label. Craig left the Chiffons in 1968 and they continued as a trio. In 1992, Lee died from a heart attack the day before her 45th birthday, and Craig returned to the group. Peterson retired shortly thereafter and was replaced by Connie Harvey. Harvey has since left to pursue a solo career and Bennett has retired from the group. Currently Judy Craig performs as the Chiffons with her daughter and her niece at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri and at selected Oldies shows. The Chiffons are part of the "Original Stars at American Bandstand".