The Chiffons

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This article is about the American band. For the British band, see The Four Pennies.


The Chiffons was an all girl group originating from the Bronx area of New York in 1960.

The group comprised Judy Craig (lead singer), Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee. Sylvia Peterson was added to the group in 1963.

The group had already recorded a handful of singles when they hit the number one spot in the United States with the song "He's So Fine." George Harrison's 1971 song "My Sweet Lord" was musically similar, prompting a copyright infringement claim. The Chiffons went on to record "My Sweet Lord" in 1975. A judge later found that Harrison had unintentionally plagiarized the earlier song.

Their first hit was followed by other notable tunes such as Gerry Goffin and Carole King's "One Fine Day", "Sweet Talkin' Guy" and "I Have A Boyfriend", although many of their recordings were derivative of the period. Their Top 40 single "I Have A Boyfriend" was playing on Dallas station KLIF on November 22, 1963 and was interrupted by the first radio bulletins of the JFK assassination. The group also released material under the title The Four Pennies. They released two singles on the Rust Label.

Craig left the Chiffons in 1968 and they continued as a trio. In 1992, Lee died from a heart attack the day before her 45th birthday, and Craig returned to the group. Peterson retired shortly thereafter and was replaced by Connie Harvey. Harvey has since left to pursue a solo career and Bennett has retired from the group. Craig continues with replacement backup singers.

[edit] Discography (as The Four Pennies)

Singles

  • 1963 "My Block" (US #67)
  • 1963 "When the Boy's Happy" (US #95)

[edit] Discography (as the Chiffons)

Standard albums

  • 1963: He's So Fine (US #97)
  • 1963: One Fine Day
  • 1966: Sweet Talkin' Guy (US #149)
  • 1970: My Secret Love

Compilations

  • 1974: Everything You Always Wanted to Hear by the Chiffons but Couldn't Get
  • 1979: The Chiffons Sing the Hits of the 50's & 60's
  • 2004: Absolutely The Best!

Singles

  • 1961: "Tonight's the Night" (US #76)
  • 1963: "He's So Fine" (US #1)
  • 1963: "One Fine Day" (US #5)
  • 1963: "When the Boy's Happy (the Girl's Happy Too)" (US #95)
  • 1963: "A Love So Fine" (US #40)
  • 1963: "I Have a Boyfriend" (US #36)
  • 1964: "Sailor Boy" (US #81)
  • 1965: "Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (in My Mind But Me)" (US #49)
  • 1966: "Out of This World" (US #67)
  • 1966: "Stop, Look and Listen" (US #85)
  • 1966: "Sweet Talkin' Guy" (US #10)
  • 1968: "Up on the Bridge"
  • 1970: "So Much in Love"
  • 1971: "Main Nerve"
  • 1975: "My Sweet Lord"
  • 1976: "Dream Dream Dream"
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