| Curtis Lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 28, 1941 |
| Origin | Yuma, Arizona, United States |
| Genres | Doo-wop, pop |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1960–1968 |
Curtis Lee (born October 28, 1941, Yuma, Arizona, U.S.[1]) is an American singer of the early 1960s, who twice over was one of the beneficiaries of 1961 productions by Phil Spector. These were "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" (U.S. #7) and "Under the Moon of Love" (U.S. #46).
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Lee began his recording career in 1959, and the following year was signed by Dunes Records after being invited to cut a demo if he came to New York.[1] By the time he made it to New York in late 1960, he had started writing songs in partnership with a friend, Tommy Boyce, who later became one-half of the Boyce and Hart songwriting-producing-singing duo.[1] Lee's first two singles, "Special Love" and "Pledge of Love," failed to chart, but for his third record, Dunes cut a Lee-Boyce original called "Pretty Little Angel Eyes."[1]In Which he worked with a young Daryl Hall Spector's production included instrumental support, and doo wop from an R&B vocal group, The Halos. The Halos appeared on "Pretty Little Angel Eyes", and would achieve further recognition by backing up Barry Mann on "Who Put The Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)".[2]
In the UK, "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" was a minor hit record, peaking at #47 in 1961.[3]
Without Spector's guiding hand, Lee's hits dried up. He went into the construction industry with his father in 1969.
"Pretty Little Angel Eyes" has been covered by Zombina and the Skeletones and Showaddywaddy.