The Crystals were one of the most influential girl groups of the early 1960s. With their chart-topping singles and distinctive harmonies, they helped define the sound of the girl group era. Formed in New York and signed by legendary producer Phil Spector, the Crystals became key figures in Spector’s Wall of Sound productions.
Although their legacy includes multiple hits, behind-the-scenes disputes, lineup changes, and controversial decisions from Spector affected their career trajectory. Still, their classic songs like “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Then He Kissed Me” endure as staples of early rock and pop music.
| Group Name | The Crystals |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City, New York, USA |
| Years Active | 1960–1967, 1971–present |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, Girl Group |
| Original Members | Barbara Alston, Mary Thomas, Dee Dee Kenniebrew, Myrna Giraud, Patricia Wright |
| Notable Later Member | Dolores “LaLa” Brooks |
| Major Hits | “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me,” “He’s a Rebel,” “He’s Sure the Boy I Love,” “Uptown” |
| Producer | Phil Spector (Philles Records) |
| Current Lead Member | Dee Dee Kenniebrew |
| Legacy | One of the pioneering girl groups of the 1960s, key figures in the Wall of Sound era |
Formation and Early Days
The Crystals were formed in 1960 in New York City by big band sideman Benny Wells, who was also the uncle of original member Barbara Alston. The founding lineup included:
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Barbara Alston
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Mary Thomas
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Dee Dee Kenniebrew
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Myrna Giraud
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Patricia (Patsy) Wright
They began performing locally and soon caught the attention of Phil Spector, who had recently launched the Philles Records label with partner Lester Sill. Spector signed the group in 1961, drawn to their harmonies and marketable image.
Early Hits and Chart Success
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“There’s No Other (Like My Baby)”
Their first single, “There’s No Other (Like My Baby),” was released in 1961. Sung by Barbara Alston and produced by Spector, it became a hit:
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#20 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#17 on the R&B chart
It introduced the Crystals’ warm vocal sound and established them as rising stars in the girl group wave.
“Uptown”
The follow-up single, “Uptown,” written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, marked a more socially aware direction, describing class and racial divides. It performed even better:
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#13 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#18 on the R&B chart
It also marked a transition in the group’s vocal leadership. Around this time, Myrna Giraud left the group due to pregnancy and was replaced by Dolores “LaLa” Brooks, who became a standout lead vocalist.
Controversy: “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)”
In 1962, Spector pushed the group to record a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King titled “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss).” The lyrics, reportedly inspired by singer Little Eva’s real-life experience with domestic abuse, sparked immediate backlash.
Critics and radio stations rejected the song for its disturbing theme, leading to its commercial failure. This marked the beginning of the group’s deteriorating relationship with Spector.
The “Replacement Crystals” Era
With the controversy from “He Hit Me” still fresh, Spector made a shocking decision. He recorded the next Crystals single, “He’s a Rebel,” with Los Angeles-based singer Darlene Love and her group The Blossoms—but credited it to The Crystals.
This was largely a logistical choice. The real Crystals were based in New York, while Spector operated from L.A. and needed a quick release to compete with a version of the song being produced by another label.
Despite not being performed by the original group, “He’s a Rebel” became their biggest hit:
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#1 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#2 on the R&B chart
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#19 in the UK
Spector repeated the tactic with “He’s Sure the Boy I Love”, which also featured Darlene Love but was released as a Crystals single. It reached #11 on the Hot 100.
The Real Crystals Return
By 1963, Spector brought the original Crystals back to the studio. The group, now fronted by LaLa Brooks, returned with a bang.
“Da Doo Ron Ron”
Written by Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, “Da Doo Ron Ron” became one of the decade’s most iconic pop songs:
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#3 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#5 on the R&B chart
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#5 in the UK
LaLa Brooks’ youthful, energetic lead vocals gave the song a unique charm, while Spector’s Wall of Sound production gave it staying power.
“Then He Kissed Me”
Following up in late 1963, the Crystals released “Then He Kissed Me,” also co-written by Spector, Barry, and Greenwich. It continued their momentum:
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#6 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#8 on the R&B chart
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#8 in the UK
The song’s romantic storyline, combined with lush orchestration, made it another timeless favorite.
Spector’s Shift to the Ronettes and Decline
Despite renewed success, the Crystals were soon overshadowed by another Spector-backed group, The Ronettes, led by Veronica “Ronnie” Bennett (later Ronnie Spector). The Crystals were dismayed when Spector increasingly focused on the Ronettes and even allowed them to record several tracks for the 1963 compilation LP, The Crystals Sing the Greatest Hits, further diminishing the Crystals’ visibility.
As Spector’s Philles label began to decline and his interest in producing waned, the Crystals’ releases stalled. They recorded a few more singles under United Artists after Philles folded, but these were largely ignored.
By 1967, after several personnel changes and dwindling opportunities, the Crystals disbanded.
Reformation and Legacy
In 1971, original members Barbara Alston, Dee Dee Kenniebrew, and Mary Thomas reformed the Crystals to perform on the oldies circuit. Over time, the lineup shifted, and only Kenniebrew remained active.
Today, the Crystals continue to perform with a new lineup, led by Kenniebrew. They remain a fixture of doo-wop festivals and oldies tours. Their songs have been featured in films, commercials, and TV shows, helping preserve their legacy with new generations of listeners.
Impact and Legacy
The Crystals helped define the girl group sound of the early ’60s. Despite internal challenges and Spector’s controversial decisions, they delivered multiple enduring hits. Their story also reflects the broader struggles of female artists at the time—often underpaid, undercredited, and replaced at the whim of producers.
Still, their hits like “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me,” and “He’s a Rebel” continue to be celebrated as classics of American pop.
Selected Discography
Top Charting Hits
| Song | Billboard Hot 100 | R&B Chart | UK Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| There’s No Other (Like My Baby) | #20 | #17 | — |
| Uptown | #13 | #18 | — |
| He’s a Rebel | #1 | #2 | #19 |
| He’s Sure the Boy I Love | #11 | — | — |
| Da Doo Ron Ron | #3 | #5 | #5 |
| Then He Kissed Me | #6 | #8 | #8 |
Did You Know?
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“He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)” was banned by many radio stations and remains one of pop music’s most controversial recordings.
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Darlene Love, who sang “He’s a Rebel,” had a successful solo career and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
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The Crystals were one of the first girl groups to have a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Their hit “Then He Kissed Me” was later covered by The Beach Boys and featured in movies like Goodfellas.
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Despite having their name on several major hits, the original Crystals didn’t sing on all of them—an example of common industry practices at the time.