THE CHIFFONS

'The Chiffons' was an all girl group originating from the Bronx area of New York in 1960.

Contents

Biography

Discography (as The Four Pennies)

Discography (as the Chiffons)

References

Biography

The group comprised Judy Craig (lead singer), Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee. 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.^[1]
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.^[2] 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. Craig continues with replacement backup singers.
Currently Judy Craig performs as the Chiffons with replacement backup singers at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri. The Chiffons are part of the "Original Stars at American Bandstand" show.^[3]

Discography (as The Four Pennies)

'Singles'

★ 1963 "My Block" (US #67)

★ 1963 "When the Boy's Happy" (US #95)

Discography (as the Chiffons)

'Standard albums'

★ 1963: ''He's So Fine'' (US #97)

★ 1963: ''One Fine Day''

★ 1966: ''Sweet Talkin' Guy'' (US #149)

★ 1970: ''My Secret Love''
'Compilations'

★ 1974: ''Everything You Always Wanted to Hear by the Chiffons but Couldn't Get''

★ 1979: ''The Chiffons Sing the Hits of the 50's & 60's''

★ 2004: ''Absolutely The Best!''
'Singles'

★ 1961: "Tonight's the Night" (US #76)

★ 1963: "He's So Fine" (US #1, UK #16)

★ 1963: "One Fine Day" (US #5, UK #29)

★ 1963: "When the Boy's Happy (the Girl's Happy Too)" (US #95)

★ 1963: "A Love So Fine" (US #40)

★ 1963: "I Have a Boyfriend" (US #36)

★ 1964: "Sailor Boy" (US #81)

★ 1965: "Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (in My Mind But Me)" (US #49)

★ 1966: "Out of This World" (US #67)

★ 1966: "Stop, Look and Listen" (US #85)

★ 1966: "Sweet Talkin' Guy" (US #10, UK #31 (#4 ''(1973 re-issue)'')

★ 1968: "Up on the Bridge"

★ 1970: "So Much in Love"

★ 1971: "Main Nerve"

★ 1975: "My Sweet Lord"

★ 1976: "Dream Dream Dream"

References

1. Bright Tunes Music v. Harrisongs Music
2. The Chiffons, Sweet Talkin' Girls: The Best of the Chiffons
3. Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater - Shows