Shirley Owens

Biography

Shirley Alston Reeves (born June 10, 1941), born Shirley Owens, is an American soul singer who was the main lead singer of the hit girl group the Shirelles.

The Shirelles

In addition to Owens, The Shirelles consisted of fellow Passaic High School (New Jersey) alumni Doris Kenner Jackson, Addie "Micki" Harris McPhadden and Beverly Lee. Owens' strong, distinctive voice meant that she was a natural choice for the lead singer, though Jackson was also featured as lead on several songs, as well.
Reeves enjoyed a string of hits with The Shirelles throughout the 1960s, the most notable being "Will You Love Me Tomorrow". She left The Shirelles in 1975 to begin a solo career, initially recording under the name "Lady Rose×Lady Rose1977 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Caught Me When My Love Was Down3:48A2Let Me Be The One You Hit On3:19A3It's Written In Your Eyes2:35A4I Don't Wanna Go3:30B1Private Clown3:36B2I Really Got The Feelin'3:54B3Your Love Put A Song In My Heart3:35B4Song On My Mind3:04".
The Shirelles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. She also performed on the Doo Wop 51 PBS special in 2000.

Solo

In 1975, she recorded an album entitled With A Little Help From My Friends×With a Little Help From My Friends1975 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracksA1I Only Have Eyes for You3:26A2Save the Last Dance2:54A3Our Day Will Come2:03A41000 Miles Away / Daddy’s Home (medley)2:07A5In Still of the Night3:00B1Where or When2:35B2Sincerely3:21B3Silhouettes2:30B4I Hear Those Church Bells Ringing / Chapel of Love (medley)3:00B5I Do Love You2:56B6I’d Rather Not Be Loving You3:06, after the hit song by the Beatles, which featured members of the Flamingos, the Drifters, Shep and the Limelites, the Five Satins, the Belmonts, Danny & the Juniors, Herman's Hermits and La La Brooks of the Crystals.
Shirley continues to tour under the name 'Shirley Alston Reeves and her Shirelles'.

Personal life

Through marriages, she became Shirley Alston and later, Shirley Alston Reeves. Her nephew, Gerald Alston is the lead singer of The Manhattans.