The Chiffons – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

The Chiffons Biography

Judy Craig, Patricia Bennett, and Barbara Lee, three classmates from James Monroe High School in the Bronx in 1960, formed the first ensemble. Sylvia Peterson joined Little Jimmy & the Tops in 1962 at the songwriter Ronnie Mack’s recommendation. At the age of 14, Sylvia sang lead vocals with Jimmy on “Say You Love Me,” the B-side of the Tops’ 1959 local smash “Puppy Love.”

When the group recorded and published their first single, “He’s So Fine,” produced by The Tokens of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” fame, and released on the Laurie Records label, they used the moniker “Chiffons.” Ronnie Mack wrote the song. The song “He’s So Fine” reached No. 1 in the US, sold over a million copies, and was given a gold disc. According to the current [as of 2011] RIAA certification rules, in force since 1975, which dropped the “gold” certification threshold to 500,000 copies and set the “platinum” requirement at 1 million, this sales total would have qualified the song for platinum status.

The Chiffons started a round of US touring right after releasing their debut album, He’s So Fine, which peaked at No. 97 on the charts. One Fine Day, the group’s second LP, was released a short while afterwards.

On the Laurie Records subsidiary Rust, the trio also issued two songs in 1963 under the name Four Pennies (with Sylvia on lead), but they dropped the moniker once it was evident that “He’s So Fine” would be a success. Other significant songs like Gerry Goffin and Carole King’s “One Fine Day,” “Sweet Talkin’ Guy,” and “I Have A Boyfriend” came after this debut smash. As the 1960s progressed, Peterson acquired a more prominent part in the group, singing lead on the Chiffons’ “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) (written by Jimmy Radcliffe, Carl Spencer and Bert Berns).

The Chiffons encountered commercial issues soon after the initial wave of hits, although they nonetheless toured the US throughout 1964. (including Murray the K Shows and as part of a package tour headlined by Gene Pitney). They directly signed to the Laurie label in the middle of 1965, and their single “Nobody Knows What’s Going On In My Mind But Me” became a hit. Sylvia and Barbara traveled to the West Coast to launch the album on a July 1965 Shindig episode with two substitute performers while Judy and Pat were on maternity leave. This was done to promote the album.

Midway through 1966, the Chiffons’ next Top 10 hit, “Sweet-Talking Guy,” enabled the group to go on its first tour of England and Germany. At one of their London club dates, members of the Beatles and Stones were there. Up to 1968, several side hits were produced.

Judy Craig left the group before 1970 and accepted a job at a bank in Manhattan because of the band’s continual touring and lack of hits. With Sylvia now serving as the group’s permanent lead singer, the remaining trio continued to perform live. After some time, Sylvia, Pat, and Barbara started working conventional 9–5 jobs, although they kept doing live acts on the weekends. After a while, Sylvia left, and different group members took her place.

When George Harrison‘s song “My Sweet Lord” was released in 1970, the estate of Ronnie Mack filed a copyright infringement lawsuit because of the song’s melodic resemblances to “He’s So Fine.” In 1975, The Chiffons recorded “My Sweet Lord.” Harrison had unintentionally copied the previous tune, a judge later found.

In the 1980s, Sylvia visited the Chiffons once more. Barbara Lee passed away after a heart attack on May 15, 1992, and Craig rejoined the group. Shortly after, Peterson announced her retirement, and Connie Harvey took her place.

The Chiffons Discography

My Secret Love
Sweet Talkin’ GuySpotifyYouTubeAmazon
One Fine DayYouTubeAmazon
The ChiffonsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

Top Videos

Frequently Asked Questions

What Genre Of Music Is The Chiffons?

The Chiffons are an American doo-wop group from the early 1960s. The group’s hits include “He’s So Fine” and “One Fine Day”.

What Songs Did The Chiffons Sing?

The Chiffons were an all-girl group from the early 1960s who are best known for their hits “He’s So Fine” and “One Fine Day.” Other popular songs by the Chiffons include “Sweet Talkin’ Guy,” “A Love So Fine,” and “I Have a Boyfriend.

Who Were The Singers In The Chiffons?

The Chiffons were an American 1960s girl group from the Bronx, New York City. The group was originally a quartet of high school friends who met while attending James Monroe High School. The original members of the group were lead singer Judy Craig, Patricia Bennett, Barbara Lee, and Sylvia Peterson. The group’s first hit single, “He’s So Fine,” was released in 1963 and went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been credited as the first number one single by an all-female group. The Chiffons continued to have success with subsequent singles, including “One Fine Day” and “Sweet Talkin’ Guy.” The group disbanded in 1968 but has since been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

What Is The Name Famous Song Of The Chiffons?

The Chiffons were an American girl group from the early 1960s. They are best known for their 1963 hit single, “He’s So Fine”, which went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including George Harrison, who had a posthumous Number One hit with his version in 2002.

Most Searched For Chiffons Songs

One fine daySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
He’s so fineSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Sweet talkin’ GuySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
My Boyfriends BackSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
My Sweet LordSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
I Wonder WhySpotifyAppleYouTube
Lucky MeSpotifyAppleYouTube
A love so fineSpotifyAppleYouTube