Ronnie & The Relatives (1) aka The Ronnettes

Ronnie & The Relatives (1) (New York)
aka The Ronnettes

Personnel :

Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett

Estelle Bennett

Nedra Talley

Discography :

1961 - My Guiding Angel / I'm Gonna Quit While I'm Ahead (May 111)
1961 - I Want a Boy / Sweet Sixteen (Colpix 601)

Biography :

Ronnie & The Relatives were formed in the Washington Heights/Spanish Harlem area of New York City. Sisters Veronica (aka Ronnie) and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley first started harmonizing together as teenagers in 1959, inspired by doo wop groups like Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers and Little Anthony & the Imperials. First calling themselves the Darling Sisters, the trio also worked on their dance moves, and won the famed amateur talent contest at the Apollo Theater; afterward, they began formal vocal training.

In 1961, they were standing in line to get into the Peppermint Lounge -- epicenter of the twist dance craze -- when a manager mistook them for an act he'd booked.  They performed to great response, and were quickly hired as regulars. Later that year, they appeared in the film Twist Around the Clock, and danced in shows staged by disc jockey Murray the K. They also got a record deal with the Colpix label, issuing their debut single "I Want a Boy" as Ronnie & the Relatives that year.  Follow-up singles credited the group as the Ronettes, including "I'm on the Wagon," "Silhouettes," and "Good Girls," but none were anything more than regionally popular. The Ronettes caught their big break when they met Phil Spector, who saw in them talent he could mold to his specifications; he was already tiring of his association with the Crystals, substituting outside singer Darlene Love on several records credited to them.

Songs :

   
My Guiding Angel                       I Want a Boy    

   
        Sweet Sixteen              I'm Gonna Quit While I'm Ahead

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