Will you still love me tomorrow?

Because a girl can't go on writing only about pay equity and the right to choose ...

Today's treeware column marked last week's sad passing of Estelle Bennett, one of The Ronettes.

The thing about The Ronettes, and all the other (mostly) African-American girl groups of that early Rock'n'Roll era is,even on oldies shows, I never hear them except on my own iPod. And yet these ladies busted down doors not only for women artists but also for black ones. They were style icons too!

So here's my column, with links and the occasional musical interlude:

Estelle Bennett sank with barely a ripple last week.

The U.K. press gave the ex-Ronette's death at 67 major play but, in her native U.S., where she helped create the rock 'n' roll industry, there was barely a back-up chorus.

But first, a little music herstory for those of you to whom "girl groups" means Spice Girl lip-synching and Pussycat Doll-writhing.

The Ronettes, along with The Marvelettes ("Please Mr. Postman"), The Shirelles ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"), The Chiffons ("He's So Fine"), The Crystals ("Da Doo Ron Ron"), The Exciters ("Doo Wah Diddy"), Martha and the Vandellas ("Love is like a Heat Wave"), The Dixie Cups ("Iko, Iko'') and so many more, owned the pop charts in the early '60s.

What's more, their songs, including those they wrote without credit, were covered by music giants such as The Beatles who had them front and centre as opening acts on their tours.

In fact, The Ronettes' huge hit "Be My Baby," produced by (now accused murderer and certifiable eccentric) Phil Spector who Svengali'd the group, influenced drumming in songs by Green Day, R.E.M., the Beach Boys, ELO and countless others.

If The Ronettes still mean nothing to you, think of the opening scene in Dirty Dancing.

As for Estelle Bennett, whose sister Veronica (Ronnie) fronted the group, and whose cousin Nedra Talley did back-up, she's the one who invented rocker girl fashion, including that big hairdo last seen on Amy Winehouse's ratty head.

Maybe it's because so many older baby boomer journalists have been laid off or taken early retirement that Bennett's death went unmarked.

Maybe it's because in this time of Britney Spears and Pussycat Dolls pop tartism, nobody takes girl acts too seriously. (And really, who can blame them?) More likely, though, the story of rock 'n' roll is written mostly by men, while commercial radio has long been dominated by men.

But let me tell you: You ain't never heard "Hound Dog" until you have heard it belted by Big Mama Thornton, who recorded it before Elvis did.

Motown pioneer Mary Wells ("My Guy'') never made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

And yet, all these women broke ground – and not just musically.

Almost without exception – The Shangri-Las, notably – the girl group girls were African-American.

They mostly grew up in poor urban areas, and got together in their homes to put their acts together. (Unlike male singers, who could hang out on street corners Jersey Boys-style, girls had curfews.)

And yet, they still managed to break down doors and the barriers, which would pave the way on the charts for their black brothers whose music was often sanitized for white Middle American airplay by the likes of Pat Boone.

Along with the girl groups, came Motown.

However, Motown founder Berry Gordy often neglected or mismanaged them in favour of his obsession, The Supremes.

Not that I am suggesting the music industry comes easier to men.

We've all seen the movies based on their lives: Walk the Line (Johnny Cash), Ray (Ray Charles), La Bamba (Ritchie Valens), The Buddy Holly Story, Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis), etc.

But, aside from fictional froth (Dreamgirls), there are no movies, no plays, no tracking the tears and triumphs of the girl group pioneers. Come on. It's not as if Hollywood doesn't have Beyoncé's and Jennifer Hudson's talent to draw on.

Reviewing the lives and loves of The Ronettes, it's hard to miss the gold in them thar trills.

Not only did Ronnie marry Spector, but the group toured with the Stones. Estelle "dated" Mick Jagger and George Harrison. How can that miss?

But, sadly, the girls get no R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

RIP Estelle.

And with that, this one is dedicated to my niece Stephanie who is getting married tomorrow night:

Comments

[johnnykap]

Antonia, note the title of the song that you chose, of your own volition, to hilite; Be My Baby.

Not Be My Zygote. Not Be My Fetus. But Be My Baby.

I trust my bringing this to your attention will result in a change in your position vis a vis abortion and that we can consider the matter settled.

[Reginald E. Burnette]

Thank you for this great post. I've loved the Ronettes since I first saw them at the Brooklyn Fox theater in 1964. The first album I ever bought was "Presenting The Fabulous Ronettes". I still have it to this very day. Estelle's passing hit me very hard. Again, thanks for the post.
Reginald
RIP sweet sister, Estelle

[lagatta]

Be my baby refers to a love interest, not a foetus, silly boy.

Oh God, Mary Wells was dead at 49. Perhaps the cancer she had was not curable back then, but it is incredibly sad that she didn't even have health coverage.

[Sebastian Stoker]

Estelle Bennet's death being acknowledged by the U.K. press, and ignored in North America should be noted for what it is: one of many examples of the subtle misogyny in the entertainment industry in the U.S. and Canada.

Do some informal Internet research, comparing American coverage of female musician/performers, and you may be shocked. In the U.K. Liz Phair is described as unique, with an idiosyncratic guitar-playing technique, while in the U.S. she is too often referred to as an amateur, and considered (despite her many contributions to 90's pop and her being, arguably, the first true grunge girl) forever on the periphery of the music industry. Courtney Love is respected in the U.K., her work with Hole acknowledged as ground-breaking and significant, while in the U.S. she is the bitch-queen black widow, and nothing more than a d-list celebrity with plastic surgery issues. Tori Amos is a non-entity in the U.S. while lauded in Britain. Don't even mention the long line of British female pop music geniuses - including Toyah Wilcox, P.J. Harvey, Imogen Heap, Kate Bush - who have barely registered as blips on American pop music's radar screen (America's own Lene Lovich made a name for herself in Europe, but only ever achieved lesser cult status in the U.S). Then there are the grand dames of the 70's and 80's - Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde, the Wilson sisters (Heart). These ladies are considered institutions in the U.K., but are just tired old history in America, and are only ever trotted out on ET or a talk show if they manage to make it into the charts, or if there is a Where Are They Now segment.

I have come to believe that this refusal to affirm the talents and success of female artists, to even shun them, goes back, in some strange way, to Puritanism and the witch trials. Pop music is primal, and the performer is in full control, in command, and this is anathema to that ancient North American culture. Woman are not to make a display of themselves, particularly if what they display is talent and intelligence. It is not just female pop stars who feel the sting of contempt and disapproval - Hilary Clinton, Sheila Copps, Kim Campbell, and - dare I write it - Sarah Palin have all been branded with the scarlet letter - B for Bitch - for their having dared to step into the spotlight and display something other than T&A.

[The Stygian and his Shemitish Dogs]

"Hilary Clinton, Sheila Copps, Kim Campbell, and - dare I write it - Sarah Palin"

Stoker you Smoker,

Sarah Palin is worth more than all the other ones put together.
Palin 2016, or if we're lucky, 2012.

[Sebastian Stoker]

LOL Stygian.

Thanks for reminding me. Palin as VP or even Prez: time to look into emigrating to New Zealand!

[Dianne McConachie]

Hi AZ,
As usual, you are right on with this article. Just turning 60 last week, I remember all the "girl" groups that you write about. Being a female in the 1960s, meant limitation of opportunity back then and it seems this has ghostly effects in the 21st century!