Who were The Crystals, and why were they important? The Crystals was one of the most definitive and influential girl groups of the early 1960s. With a combination between lush harmonies and heavy production courtesy of Phil Spector, they helped set the sound for an era.
The Crystals were created in 1961 in New York City when five girls, Barbara Alston, Mary Thomas, Dolores “Dee Dee” Kenniebrew, Myrna Giraud, and Patricia “Patsy” Wright, teamed up under the guidance of Barbara’s uncle, Benny Wells.
Barbara Alston was born on December 29, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland, and subsequently moved to Brooklyn, where she went to William H. Maxwell Career and Technical High School, as did some of the members.
Shared experience as working-class girls from New York brought an honest authenticity to their sound, particularly in an era when youth and street-innocent ingenuity were a major component of pop.
There was little formal instruction in their experience—the raw talent, hard work, and the type of camaraderie that could not be replicated. The girls sang together in high school and were immediately scouted by Phil Spector, who signed them to Philles Records.
The girls went on to record their very first single, “There’s No Other (Like My Baby),” immediately after their high school prom, still in their dresses—a quaint beginning to a music dynasty.
That single reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1962. Nothing but “Uptown,” their next record, soared even further in the charts, but signaled a different side, incorporating class and hardship in an agreeable pop hit.
Spector’s Wall of Sound made their voices shoot for the rafters, but tension was introduced as a side effect. Two of the biggest hits for the group, “He’s a Rebel” and “He’s Sure the Boy I Love,” were not sung by them at all—they were sung by Darlene Love and The Blossoms, and given The Crystals’ name without their knowledge.
The songs were, even so, considerable hits. “He’s a Rebel” reached No. 1 in the United States. The girls were required to plug and perform these tracks live, even though they’d not cut them. As time passed, internal changes affected the group.
Myrna Giraud left due to pregnancy and was replaced by LaLa Brooks, who took over lead vocals on later classics like “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Then He Kissed Me.” These hits, both led by Brooks, became timeless anthems of teenage love.
By 1964, the group had lost momentum, facing competition from British Invasion acts and struggling with Spector’s shifting priorities, especially his focus on the Ronettes. Barbara Alston eventually stepped back due to stage fright, and other members moved on to family life or other careers. Despite lineup changes, the Crystals kept performing for decades.
Dee Dee Kenniebrew remained a consistent presence, helping keep the group’s spirit alive into the 2000s with newer members like Patricia Pritchett-Lewis and Melissa “MelSoulTree” Grant. In 2010, they released a live album recorded in Singapore, proving their legacy was still cherished globally.
Barbara Alston passed away in 2018, but the group’s influence continues. Their music has appeared in films like Goodfellas, Adventures in Babysitting, and Quadrophenia, and even inspired characters in Little Shop of Horrors.
Today, LaLa Brooks performs their hits around the world, carrying the legacy of a group that helped define the girl group era. What makes the Crystals so special is not just their hit songs, but how their music captured a specific blend of innocence, strength, and defiance that resonated with a generation—and still does.
Contents
The Crystals Top Songs
- There’s No Other (Like My Baby) – Their debut single, filled with emotional longing and soft harmonies.
- Uptown – A socially-aware pop song that brought attention to economic inequality.
- He’s a Rebel – A bold, defiant anthem that went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- He’s Sure the Boy I Love – Another hit, rich with attitude and charm, though not sung by the group.
- Da Doo Ron Ron – Infectious and fun, this song remains one of the most memorable of the girl group era.
- Then He Kissed Me – A beautiful blend of melody and innocence, capturing young romance perfectly.
- He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss) – A controversial track that sparked much debate and was later disowned by the group.
- All Grown Up – A lesser-known but strong entry reflecting emotional growth and maturity.
- Little Boy – A Wall of Sound production with layered vocals and heavy orchestration.
- Ring-A-Ting-A-Ling – Their final single, showcasing the vocal talents of Alston and Kenniebrew.
The Crystals Discography
Studio Albums:
- Twist Uptown (1962)
- He’s a Rebel (1963)
- He’s a Rebel featuring LaLa Brooks (1986)
Compilation Albums:
- The Crystals Sing the Greatest Hits, Volume 1 (1963)
- The Crystals Sing Their Greatest Hits (1975)
- Greatest Hits (1988, 1990)
- The Best of the Crystals (1992)
- One Fine Day (2004)
- Da Doo Ron Ron: The Very Best of the Crystals (2011)
- Playlist: The Very Best of the Crystals (2016)
Notable Singles:
- “There’s No Other (Like My Baby)” – 1961
- “Uptown” – 1962
- “He’s a Rebel” – 1962
- “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” – 1962
- “Da Doo Ron Ron” – 1963
- “Then He Kissed Me” – 1963
- “Little Boy” – 1964
- “All Grown Up” – 1964
- “Ring-A-Ting-A-Ling” – 1967
The Crystals Top Albums
- Twist Uptown (1962) – Their debut, blending R&B roots with pop polish and emotional depth.
- He’s a Rebel (1963) – Despite the controversy, this album features some of their biggest hits.
- The Crystals Sing the Greatest Hits, Volume 1 (1963) – A must-have for fans of their most iconic tracks.
- Da Doo Ron Ron: The Very Best of the Crystals (2011) – A career-spanning compilation with crystal-clear remasters.
The Crystals Awards & Recognition
- Billboard Hot 100 No. 1: “He’s a Rebel” (1962)
- Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time:
- “He’s a Rebel” ranked No. 267 (2021)
- “Da Doo Ron Ron” ranked No. 366 (2021)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Influence: While not inducted as a group, The Crystals’ impact is often cited in girl group retrospectives.
- Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound Legacy: The Crystals were key players in shaping the legendary Wall of Sound.
The Crystals Song List
| Year | Song Title (A-side) | B-side | Lead Vocalist(s) | Chart Position (US) | Chart Position (UK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | There’s No Other (Like My Baby) | Oh Yeah, Maybe Baby | Barbara Alston / Patsy Wright | 20 | — |
| 1962 | Uptown | What a Nice Way to Turn Seventeen | Barbara Alston | 13 | — |
| 1962 | He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss) | No One Ever Tells You | Barbara Alston | — | — |
| 1962 | He’s a Rebel | I Love You Eddie | Darlene Love / Barbara Alston | 1 | 19 |
| 1962 | He’s Sure the Boy I Love | Walkin’ Along (La La La) | Darlene Love | 11 | — |
| 1963 | (Let’s Dance) The Screw – Part 1 | (Let’s Dance) The Screw – Part 2 | Group Vocals | — | — |
| 1963 | Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home) | Git’ It | LaLa Brooks | 3 | 5 |
| 1963 | Then He Kissed Me | Brother Julius | LaLa Brooks | 6 | 2 |
| 1964 | I Wonder | Little Boy | LaLa Brooks | — | 36 |
| 1964 | Little Boy | Harry (From West Virginia) and Milt | LaLa Brooks | 92 | — |
| 1964 | All Grown Up | Irving (Jaggered Sixteenths) | LaLa Brooks | 98 | — |
| 1965 | You Can’t Tie a Good Girl Down | My Place | LaLa Brooks | — | — |
| 1966 | Are You Trying to Get Rid of Me | I Got a Man | LaLa Brooks | — | — |
| 1967 | Ring-A-Ting-A-Ling | Should I Keep on Waiting | Barbara Alston / Dee Dee Kenniebrew | — | — |