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The Cookies

From Alfawiki
The Cookies
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
Founded1954 in Brooklyn, New York, United States
FounderDorothy Jones, Darlene McCrea, Beulah Robertson
Defunct1967
Headquarters
Brooklyn
,
United States
ProductsMusic recordings, live performances

The Cookies were a prominent American R&B girl group known for two primary formations: the initial phase from 1954 to 1958, which later transformed into the Raelettes, and a subsequent period spanning 1961 to 1967. Family ties existed among several members throughout both iterations. They earned recognition largely as accomplished session singers and backing vocalists.

History

Originating in 1954 in Brooklyn, New York, the group's founding members were Dorothy Jones, Darlene McCrea, and Dorothy's cousin Beulah Robertson. In 1956, Robertson was succeeded by Margie Hendricks. Their association with Ray Charles emerged through session work conducted for Atlantic Records. On August 3, 1958, the Cookies appeared alongside Charles and Ann Fisher at the Cavalcade of Jazz event organized by Leon Hefflin Sr., held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The concert also featured artists such as Little Willie John, Sam Cooke, and Ernie Freeman. After supporting Charles and other Atlantic performers, McCrea and Hendricks became part of the formation of the Raelettes in 1958.

Second lineup

A reformed version of the Cookies came together in New York in 1961, consisting of Dorothy Jones, Earl-Jean McCrea (the younger sister of Darlene), and their cousin Margaret Ross. That same year, Jones released a solo single under Columbia Records. This lineup found considerable success both as the Cookies and as backing singers for acts including Neil Sedaka on tracks like "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," "The Dreamer," and "Bad Girl." They also contributed demo recordings for Aldon Music, working under the guidance of Carole King and Gerry Goffin. The group provided background vocals on Little Eva's hits "The Loco-Motion" and "Let's Turkey Trot" (1962), along with Mel Tormé's rendition of "Comin' Home Baby." Their most notable achievement was the 1963 single "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby)," which climbed to number 3 on the Billboard R&B chart and reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Their 1962 release "Chains" was subsequently covered by the Beatles on their first album Please Please Me. Earl-Jean McCrea departed in 1965 after issuing two solo singles, including the original version of Goffin/King's "I'm Into Something Good," which later gained popularity through Herman's Hermits.

The Cookies also recorded under multiple pseudonyms—such as the Palisades, the Stepping Stones, the Cinderellas, and the Honey Bees—with Margaret Ross often taking lead vocals. These alternate names corresponded to various record labels.

Their last recording appeared in April 1967, produced by the Tokens, featuring Darlene McCrea returning to replace her sister.

Margie Hendrix passed away in 1973 at age 38. Dorothy Jones died from complications related to Alzheimer's disease in Columbus, Ohio, in 2010 at age 76. Darlene McCrea succumbed to cancer in 2013 at age 76. Margaret Ross (now Williams) continues to perform as the Cookies with new supporting vocalists and occasionally reunites with Barbara Harris and the Toys.

Personnel

  • Dorothy Jones – 1954–1958, 1961–1967
  • "Ethel" Darlene McCrea – 1954–1958, 1964–1967
  • Beulah Robertson – 1954–1956
  • Margie Hendricks – 1956–1958
  • Earl-Jean McCrea – 1961–1964
  • Margaret Ross – 1961–1967

Dorothy, Beulah, and Margaret were first cousins through their mothers, who were sisters. Although Beulah and Margaret never performed together within the group, both collaborated with Dorothy. Darlene and Earl-Jean were siblings but did not serve as members concurrently.

Singles

Year Title Highest Chart
Positions 		Label B-side
US
Pop 		US
R&B
1954 "Don't Let Go" — — Lamp "All Night Mambo"
1955 "Precious Love" — — Atlantic "Later Later"
1956 "In Paradise" — 9 Atlantic "Passing Time"
"My Lover" — — Atlantic "Down by the River"
1957 "Hippy-Dippy-Daddy" — — Josie "King of Hearts"
1962 "Chains" 17 6 Dimension "Stranger in My Arms"
1963 "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby)" 7 3 Dimension "Softly in the Night"
"Will Power" 72 — Dimension "I Want a Boy for My Birthday"
"Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys" 33 18 Dimension "Only to Other People"
1964 "I Never Dreamed" — — Dimension "The Old Crowd"
1967 "Wounded" Warner Bros. "All My Trials"

Discography as backup singers

Bibliography

  • Clemente, John (2000). Girl Groups -- Fabulous Females That Rocked The World. Iola, Wisconsin, Krause Publications. p. 276. .
  • Clemente, John (2013). Girl Groups -- Fabulous Females Who Rocked The World. Bloomington, Indiana, Authorhouse Publications. p. 623.

External links

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