The Chiffons

Biography

The Chiffons were an American girl group originating from the Bronx, a borough of New York City, in 1960.

Origins

The group was originally a trio of schoolmates – lead singer Judy Craig, backed by Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee – enrolled at James Monroe High School in the Bronx in 1960. In 1962, at the suggestion of songwriter Ronnie Mack, the group added Sylvia Peterson, who had sung with Little Jimmy & the Tops at age 14, sharing lead vocals with Jimmy on "Say You Love Me", the B-side of the Tops' 1959 local hit "Puppy Love".

Recordings

The group chose the name The Chiffons while recording and releasing their first single, "He's So Fine×He's So FineMay 1963 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1He's So Fine2Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow3Oh My Lover4Why Do Fools Fall in Love5My Block6ABC-1237Lucky Me8Why Am I So Shy9See You in September10Wishing11Mystic Voice12When I Go to Sleep at Night", written by Ronnie Mack, produced by The Tokens of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" fame, and released on the Laurie Records label. "He's So Fine" hit No. 1 in the United States, selling over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. (This sales figure would have qualified the record for platinum status under the current [as of 2011] RIAA certification standards, effective since 1975, which lowered the "gold" certification threshold to 500,000 copies and set the "platinum" threshold at 1 million.)
The Chiffons immediately released their first LP He's So Fine (which charted at No. 97) and began touring the East Coast and Midwest states primarily. Within a few months, the group released their second LP, One Fine Day×One Fine Day1963 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1One Fine Day2:00A2It’s My Party2:15A3Locomotion2:08A4Tonight I Met an Angel1:41A5Only My Friend2:45A6Da Doo Ron Ron2:00B1I Wonder Why2:12B2Foolish Little Girl2:12B3I Dry My Eyes2:15B4Did You Ever Go Steady2:01B5When Summer’s Through2:35B6Love Is Like a Merry-Go-Round2:30.
The group also released two singles in 1963 as the Four Pennies (with Sylvia on lead) on the Laurie Records subsidiary Rust, but they abandoned the Four Pennies name as the success of "He's So Fine" became clear. This first hit was followed by other notable tunes such as Gerry Goffin and Carole King's "One Fine Day", "Sweet Talkin' Guy×Sweet Talkin' Guy1966 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Sweet Talkin' Guy2:28A2Up on the Bridge3:01A3Nobody Knows What's Going On (In My Mind but Me)2:25A4Thumbs Down2:29A5Just a Boy2:18A6Down, Down, Down2:32B1Out of This World2:11B2My Boyfriends' Back2:11B3Open Your Eyes (I Will Be There)2:18B4March2:24B5Keep the Boy Happy1:54B6See You in September2:16" and "I Have a Boyfriend". As the 1960s progressed, Peterson assumed a more prominent role in the group, singing lead on "Why Am I So Shy"; "Strange, Strange Feeling"; "The Real Thing"; "Up On The Bridge"; and "My Block" (written by Jimmy Radcliffe, Carl Spencer and Bert Berns).
Shortly after the first round of hits, the Chiffons had business problems but still continued to tour the US throughout 1964 (including Murray the K Shows and as part of a package tour headlined by Gene Pitney). In mid-1965, they signed directly to the Laurie label, and had a hit with "Nobody Knows What's Going On In My Mind But Me". To promote the record, Sylvia and Barbara flew to the West Coast to premiere the disc on a July 1965 Shindig episode, with two substitute members as Judy and Pat were on maternity leave.
The next top 10 hit for the Chiffons was "Sweet-Talking Guy" in mid 1966. The success of the song resulted in the Chiffons releasing their third LP, Sweet Talking Guy, which peaked at No. 149 on the Billboard 200 LP chart. The Chiffons did their first overseas tour of England and Germany in June 1967; on one of their London club dates (the Chiffons were one of the opening acts for Jimi Hendrix), members of the Beatles and Rolling Stones were in the audience.
Laurie released several minor US chart hits of the Chiffons (including "Up on the Bridge", "My Boyfriend's Back") until the end of the 60s. One track "Just for Tonight" was a big Canadian hit in 1968.

Personnel changes

Tiring of the constant touring and lack of hits, Judy Craig left the group in 1972, and took a bank job in Manhattan. The remaining trio continued to do live shows with Sylvia now as permanent lead singer. Eventually, Sylvia, Pat, and Barbara took on regular 9-5 jobs, but continued to do live shows on weekends. Sylvia eventually left, and her spot was taken by alternating friends of the group.
In 1970, George Harrison released the song "My Sweet Lord", whose musical similarities to "He's So Fine×He's So FineMay 1963 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1He's So Fine2Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow3Oh My Lover4Why Do Fools Fall in Love5My Block6ABC-1237Lucky Me8Why Am I So Shy9See You in September10Wishing11Mystic Voice12When I Go to Sleep at Night" prompted the estate of Ronnie Mack to file 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.
Sylvia returned to the Chiffons during the 1980s. On May 15, 1992, Barbara Lee died from a heart attack, 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.
As of 2023, Judy Craig occasionally performs with her eldest daughter and a niece. Pat Bennett lives in Georgia. Sylvia Peterson retired from her career in healthcare, and died on July 28, 2023, at the age of 77.

Studio albums

1963: He's So Fine Laurie Records – LLP 2018 (US No. 97)
1963: One Fine Day Laurie Records – LLP 2020
1966: Sweet Talkin' Guy Laurie Records – SLP 2036 (US #149)
1970: My Secret Love B.T. Puppy Records – BTPS-1011

Compilation albums

1974: Everything You Always Wanted to Hear by the Chiffons but Couldn't Get
1979: The Chiffons Sing the Hits of the 50s & 60s
1994: Boys! Boys! Boys!
2004: Absolutely the Best!
2006: Sweet Talkin' Girls

In popular culture

Chiffon is the name of one of the girl-group-inspired narrators in the musical Little Shop of Horrors.