The Shirelles were arguably one of the most influential girl groups in history, paving the way for decades of all-female bands. Today, one of its founding members celebrates a major birthday.
Born on Aug. 3, 1941, in Passaic, NJ, Beverly Lee is one of the group's founding members. Lee and her bandmates — Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, and Addie "Micki" Harris — formed The Shirelles in 1957 when the then-teenagers were in high school. The group began by singing in a school talent show, impressing audiences. Critically, one audience member was Florence Greenberg of Tiara Records, who was the mother of a fellow student. The Shirelles were signed to the label, releasing their debut single, "I Met Him on a Sunday," in 1958.
A few years later in 1960, The Shirelles released “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” a track that would make history and make them the first Black all-female group to top the Billboard 100. The hit reached the No. 1 spot on Jan. 30, 1961, where it stayed for two weeks.
The beloved, although controversial due to its risqué — for its time — themes, track was written by an 18-year-old Carole King and her then-husband, Gerry Goffin. Lyrically, the song explores themes of intimacy, telling the story of a young woman sleeping with a man on a date. Per The Guardian, some of the more conservative radio stations reportedly banned the track from being played due to suggestive lyrics.
Per Rolling Stone, The Shirelles almost didn’t record “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”
"I heard in later years that the Shirelles didn’t want to do it because it sounded too country," King recalled. “That’s a thing I’d never put together until now."
The group's chart-topping music was a source of inspiration to artists who would follow, including legendary British band The Beatles.
In 1996, The Shirelles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"I speak for all of us. I must say that we deserve this! I'm very, very grateful and we're very, very honored [to be inducted]. ...[The Shirelles] made wonderful music together," Lee said during the group's induction speech. "We had good times, we had bad times, but through it all we were troopers and God brought us through it. ...I'm proud to grace the stage [with Doris and Shirley] this evening — the songs that we did, may they live forever in your hearts!"
Related: 1960 Iconic Classic, Banned by Some Radio Stations, Became a No. 1 Hit
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