The Shirelles Artistfacts

The Shirelles song list

The Shirelles Artistfacts

1958-1982
Shirley Owens1958-1975
Doris Coley1958-1968, 1975-1982
Beverly Lee
Addie "Micki" Harris
Through marriages, Shirley Owens became Shirley Owens Alston and later, Shirley Alston Reeves, while Doris Coley became Doris Coley Kenner and later, Doris Kenner Jackson.
For the most part, Shirley was the lead singer, but occasionally, Doris sang lead.
Shirley and Beverly are the only two survivors of the quartet. Micki died of a heart attack on June 10, 1982 (age 42), and Doris lost a battle with breast cancer on February 4, 2000 (age 58).
The Shirelles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
The Shirelles officially came together in 1958 while still in high school. They were originally called "The Poquellos." When they were signed on to record for Florence Greenberg (owner of Tiara Records and later Scepter Records), Greenberg had their name changed to "the Shirelles," feeling that this name was more commercialized.
In 1968, Coley retired to remarry and raise her family, and the group continued as a trio. In 1975, she returned only to replace Owens to departed to begin a solo career.
Although the Shirelles had no more charting hits after 1967, they continued to record and perform for a small but devoted audience into the 1970s and performed live consistently until 1982. On June 10 of that year, after a live show in Atlanta, Harris collapsed and died of a heart attack (age 42). Shortly thereafter, they went into semi-retirement, though they did accept an invitation to record backup vocals for Dionne Warwick.
Owens and Lee are the only two survivors of the quartet. The aforementioned Harris passed away on June 10, 1982, and Coley lost a battle with breast cancer on February 4, 2000 (age 58). Today, Lee holds the trademark for the Shirelles' name. >>
Suggestion credit:
Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for all above

Comments: 6

Squirrel Butler from CanadaJ Bleess asks "Where are these fine talents today?" Unless you are intentionally being deaf to current music, you can find singers of extraordinary talent all around you today. The Shirelles had a small number of big songs. They were very good. Taylor Swift, to name just one example, is enormously talented and has had dozens of huge hits, that are very, very good.

There are many other great talents out there today. If you're not hearing them, you're not listening.
J Bleess from Tucson, AzWonderful music. The sound of our past. Where are these fine talents today? No replacement except memory. "Listen on the winds, do you hear any sound"?
Stephen from Adelaide, AustraliaThey were the first and one of the most successful girl groups of the late 50's - early 60's, paving the way for many other acts to follow.
Stephen from Adelaide, AustraliaI missed Baby It's You from the last comment. Another great song!
Stephen from Adelaide, AustraliaTheir first #1 was Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? Their second #1 was Soldier Boy. They also had big hits with Big John, Mama Said, Dedicated to the One I love, Mama Said and Foolish Little Girl.
Jeff from Barrington, IlThey were John Lennons favorite band according to his collectors card. The Beatles covered some of their songs on their first album Please Please Me.

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