Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
Tue May 30, 2017, 05:39 PM May 2017

In your opinion, best girl group ever?

Last edited Wed May 31, 2017, 04:02 PM - Edit history (3)


17 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
The Supremes
5 (29%)
The Shirelles
1 (6%)
The Go-Gos
5 (29%)
Dixie Chicks
2 (12%)
The Chiffons
0 (0%)
The Runaways
1 (6%)
Indigo Girls
0 (0%)
Destiny's Child
0 (0%)
The Bangles
3 (18%)
The Ronettes
0 (0%)
Show usernames
Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll
64 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
In your opinion, best girl group ever? (Original Post) red dog 1 May 2017 OP
Any poll of "girl groups" which doesn't include The Runaways... ADX May 2017 #1
Any poll of "girl groups" which doesn't include The Shaggs Brother Buzz May 2017 #3
The drumming, in particular, is just unbelievable. dawg May 2017 #22
A free spirit for sure, especially when banging out a totally different song than her sisters Brother Buzz May 2017 #24
Helen Wiggin played drums red dog 1 May 2017 #43
Sorry about that, Brother Buzz, but I'm only allowed 10 poll options, red dog 1 May 2017 #42
Marie Adams and the Three Tons of Joy didn't make your list either Brother Buzz May 2017 #50
I got to see Big Mama Thornton at the old Fillmore Auditorium back in the 1960s red dog 1 May 2017 #58
There's another Bay Area connection Brother Buzz May 2017 #63
Or Hole. OilemFirchen May 2017 #4
Exactly. The Polack MSgt May 2017 #28
The Runaways are now one of the poll options red dog 1 May 2017 #32
Joan Jett AND Lita Ford in the same band? Cherie Curie? Sandy West? Jackie Fox? yallerdawg May 2017 #55
Bitchface! They're Syd Straw's new band. bettyellen May 2017 #2
The BeeGees tazkcmo May 2017 #5
I voted Supremes, but I have to give some love to the Shirrells and Ronettes. Kahuna7 May 2017 #6
According to Billboard Magazine, "The Shirelles were the first major female vocal group ... red dog 1 May 2017 #45
Thing about it is, when The Supremes came out, they retired all soul girl groups Kahuna7 May 2017 #51
Honrable mention: The Marvelettes and Martha and the Vandellas. Kahuna7 May 2017 #7
Le Tigre HeartachesNhangovers May 2017 #8
En Vogue kwassa May 2017 #9
How about the Andrew Sisters? demosincebirth May 2017 #10
I thought about them too. Kahuna7 May 2017 #21
Wow, we're some old ones. demosincebirth May 2017 #44
LOL. I wasn't born when they were popular. But who doesn't know Kahuna7 May 2017 #53
I wasn't born when they were popular either, but OF COURSE I know the Andrews Sisters! red dog 1 May 2017 #60
Heart! FM123 May 2017 #11
Totally agree, and they are still going strong after more than 40 years. Arkansas Granny May 2017 #12
Not a Girl Group! No men allowed! (Are there women in a "Boy Band"?!) WinkyDink May 2017 #14
I love the Wilson sisters too! red dog 1 May 2017 #46
Seriously, many were great, even awesome, but the Supremes reigned...supreme! (Lucky to have seen WinkyDink May 2017 #13
Should be on poll: The Shangri-Las. "Leader of the Pack" is ICONIC! "(Remember) Walking in the WinkyDink May 2017 #15
The Dixie Chicks Mosby May 2017 #16
Dixie Chicks is now poll option # 4 red dog 1 May 2017 #25
The Glenn Miller Orchestra... First Speaker May 2017 #17
The Beach Boys. kwassa May 2017 #18
OTHER: The GTOs - Girls Together Outrageously... GReedDiamond May 2017 #19
Either The Donnas or 50 Foot wave...probably The Runaways. Solly Mack May 2017 #20
80's guy here voting for the Bangles. dawg May 2017 #23
I meant to list Dixie Chicks when I posted this yesterday...They are now option # 4 red dog 1 May 2017 #36
Where is Banarama? brokephibroke May 2017 #26
getting ready for their upcoming UK tour red dog 1 May 2017 #52
OMG so do I! And I think it is the last 45 I ever bought. yardwork May 2017 #59
Voted Ronettes because the Shangri Las were not listed. n/t rzemanfl May 2017 #27
L7 underpants May 2017 #29
No Indigo Girls??? underpants May 2017 #30
Last Tears zipplewrath May 2017 #35
Indigo Girls are now an option red dog 1 May 2017 #47
Thanks underpants May 2017 #48
Best girl group latinaliberal May 2017 #31
Indigo girls zipplewrath May 2017 #33
Well, that's three votes for Indigo Girls, so they're up there now as poll option # 7 red dog 1 May 2017 #38
Pointer Sisters? randr May 2017 #34
Aw man! I love the Pointers. nt Kahuna7 May 2017 #54
Here are some girl groups worthy of mention: MiltonBrown May 2017 #37
The Chantels were one of the original poll options, but I had to take them down ... red dog 1 May 2017 #39
I saw the Bobbettes about 8 years ago and they were fantastic! MiltonBrown May 2017 #40
"The Doo-Wop Society of Southern California: The Bobbettes" red dog 1 May 2017 #49
Thanks! MiltonBrown May 2017 #57
Thanks for that. red dog 1 May 2017 #61
Bobbettes had to be about the youngest. MiltonBrown May 2017 #62
Labelle enid602 May 2017 #41
The Supremes for the best songs, The Go-Go's for self assembly. AngryAmish May 2017 #56
Punk girl group from 1979 - The Mo-Dettes IcyPeas May 2017 #64
 

ADX

(1,622 posts)
1. Any poll of "girl groups" which doesn't include The Runaways...
Tue May 30, 2017, 05:46 PM
May 2017

...can't be considered a real poll.



Brother Buzz

(37,607 posts)
24. A free spirit for sure, especially when banging out a totally different song than her sisters
Wed May 31, 2017, 10:55 AM
May 2017

Helen Wigin eloped at 28

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
42. Sorry about that, Brother Buzz, but I'm only allowed 10 poll options,
Wed May 31, 2017, 04:52 PM
May 2017

and, so far, the only group left that has no votes is The Chiffons, and since I consider
"He's So Fine" to be one of the best rock & roll songs of all time, I'm not going to take them down to make room for The Shaggs.

Thanks for the reply, though, because I hadn't ever heard of them before, and I spent about 30 minutes reading about them.
In 1968, Their father, Austin Wiggin, decided that Dot, Betty & Helen would form a band,
(it wasn't their decision), so he "withdrew his daughters from school, bought them instruments, and arranged for them to receive music and vocal lessons"

The Shaggs consisted of:
- Dorothy (Dot) Wiggin (vocals/lead guitar)
- Betty Wiggin (vocals/rhythm guitar)
- Helen Wiggin (drums)
and later,
- Rachel Wiggin (bass)

Brother Buzz

(37,607 posts)
50. Marie Adams and the Three Tons of Joy didn't make your list either
Wed May 31, 2017, 06:19 PM
May 2017

Renaissance man, Johnny Otis would have been disappointed. It should be noted the late great Johnny Otis had an extraordinary gift of discovering and promoting female talent. To wit: Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Esther Phillips, Linda Hopkins, Sugar Pie DeSanto....and of course, The Three Tons of Joy.

Frank Zappa sported a soul patch as a tribute his hero, Johnny Otis who wore one for years. But then again, Frank Zappa famously said, "The Shaggs are better than the Beatles,"


red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
58. I got to see Big Mama Thornton at the old Fillmore Auditorium back in the 1960s
Wed May 31, 2017, 07:25 PM
May 2017

Speaking of San Francisco's Fillmore district, I just found this about Etta James:

Etta James, born Jamesetta Hawkins, was born on Jan. 25, 1938 in Los Angeles to Dorothy Hawkins, who was 14 at the time.
Her mother was frequently absent from their apartment in Watts, and Jamesetta lived with a series of foster parents, most notably "Sarge" and "Mama" Lu.
In 1950 Mama Lu died, and James' biological mother took her to the Fillmore district of San Francisco.
Within a couple of years, she began listening to doo-wop and was inspired to form a girl group,
the Creolettes (because of the members' light-skinned complexion)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etta_James

(More from the Wikipedia article)
Johnny Otis took the group under his wing, helping them sign to Modern Records and changing their name from the Creolettes to the Peaches..He also gave the singer her stage name, transposing Jamesstta to Etta James.
When her contract with Modern Records came up for renewal in 1960, she signed a contract with Chess Records instead.
Shortly afterwards, she was involved in a relationship with the singer Harvey Fuqua, the founder of the doo-wop group the Moonglows.

A fictional but excellent movie that features Beyonce Knowles as a young Etta James is called
"Cadillac Records"....It's based on the early years of Chess Records, with a very good script and excellent actors playing Chess Records' characters including Leonard Chess, Etta James, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howling Wolf, Willie Dixon & Chuck Berry.
(If you haven't yet seen it, you might want to rent it on Netflix)

Brother Buzz

(37,607 posts)
63. There's another Bay Area connection
Wed May 31, 2017, 09:04 PM
May 2017

Chris Strachwitz, founder of legendary Arhoolie Records, helped jump-start Big Mama Thornton's lagging career (can you say sliding into obscurity) with 'Big Mama Thornton – In Europe (1965)'

Chris is another Renaissance man who had an extraordinary talent for discovering musicians and eclectic music. He introduced the world to Mance Lipscomb, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Clifton Chenier, K.C. Douglas.....and many more

Check out Netflix for "THIS AIN'T NO MOUSE MUSIC" for an astounding glimpse into Chris's world. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Here's a tape and text of an interview with Big Mama Thornton by Chris Strachwitz that is not included in the film:

http://arhoolie.org/big-mama-thornton-interview/


Back in the day, Big Mama Thornton could run circles around Helen Wiggin's drumming without breaking a sweat


The Polack MSgt

(13,407 posts)
28. Exactly.
Wed May 31, 2017, 02:50 PM
May 2017

I was about to post the same thing, but scrolled down slow enough to see your post.

Cha cha cha cha Cherry BOMB

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
32. The Runaways are now one of the poll options
Wed May 31, 2017, 03:35 PM
May 2017

Can it be considered a "real poll" now?

(Sorry Chantels, I had to remove you as a poll option, even though "Maybe" was a great song!)

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)
55. Joan Jett AND Lita Ford in the same band? Cherie Curie? Sandy West? Jackie Fox?
Wed May 31, 2017, 06:55 PM
May 2017

"This ain't rock'n'roll, this is genocide!"

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
45. According to Billboard Magazine, "The Shirelles were the first major female vocal group ...
Wed May 31, 2017, 05:45 PM
May 2017

..of the rock era, defining the so-called girl group sound with their soft, sweet harmonies and yearning innocence."
Billboard goes on to say:
"Even if The Shirelles wee not technically the first of their kind, their success was unprecedented, paving the way for legions of imitators.."
Originally formed in 1958 in Passaic, New Jersey, calling themselves "The Poquellos
"The girls wrote a song called 'I Met Him on a Sunday' and entered their school talent show with it..A school friend had them audition for her mother, Florence Greenberg, who ran a small record label..She was impressed enough to become the group's manager, and changed their name to the Shirelles by combining frequent lead singer Shirley Owens' first name with doo woppers the Chantels."
http://www.billboard.com/artist/419104/shirelles/biography

"I Met Him on a Sunday" became a hit, and was followed by many more including:
"Tonight's The Night"
"Soldier Boy"
"Mama Said"
"Dedicated to the One I Love"


The Ronettes were one of many successful Phil Spector girl groups, with their big hit being
"Be My Baby"

Kahuna7

(2,531 posts)
51. Thing about it is, when The Supremes came out, they retired all soul girl groups
Wed May 31, 2017, 06:29 PM
May 2017

that came before them. They even retired, Mary Wells who was very popular in the early 60s. All of us little black girls wanted to be The Supremes (I was Flo).

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
60. I wasn't born when they were popular either, but OF COURSE I know the Andrews Sisters!
Wed May 31, 2017, 07:51 PM
May 2017

You need to understand, Kahuna, that they only give me 10 POLL OPTIONS, so it's understandable that with only 10 poll options, and perhaps 30 or 40 "great" girl groups
SOME GREAT GIRL GROUPS WON'T BE INCLUDED IN THE POLL OPTIONS!

I've tried to accommodate as many DUers today as I can, by removing a few of the original options & replacing them with groups that people are wanting to be "on the list"
But, give me a break, OK?

(The only group left that I "might be able to replace" is The Chiffons, and if I do, it'll probably be to make room for The Angels ("My Boyfriend's Back&quot or the Shangri Las ("Leader of the Pack&quot

FM123

(10,111 posts)
11. Heart!
Tue May 30, 2017, 07:46 PM
May 2017

Last edited Tue May 30, 2017, 09:52 PM - Edit history (1)

Not exactly a girl group but definitely a girl led group. Love the Wilson sisters!

Arkansas Granny

(31,788 posts)
12. Totally agree, and they are still going strong after more than 40 years.
Tue May 30, 2017, 08:05 PM
May 2017

I got to see them last year and I believe they have gotten even better over the years

 

WinkyDink

(51,311 posts)
13. Seriously, many were great, even awesome, but the Supremes reigned...supreme! (Lucky to have seen
Tue May 30, 2017, 09:43 PM
May 2017

them!)

 

WinkyDink

(51,311 posts)
15. Should be on poll: The Shangri-Las. "Leader of the Pack" is ICONIC! "(Remember) Walking in the
Tue May 30, 2017, 09:54 PM
May 2017

Sand," also.

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
25. Dixie Chicks is now poll option # 4
Wed May 31, 2017, 02:48 PM
May 2017

(I was tired yesterday when I posted this, and I inserted "Spice Girls" instead of Dixie Chicks)

GReedDiamond

(5,365 posts)
19. OTHER: The GTOs - Girls Together Outrageously...
Tue May 30, 2017, 11:03 PM
May 2017

...which is Miss Pamela (Pamela Des Barres), Miss Mercy (Mercy Fontenot), Miss Christine (Christine Ann Frka), Miss Cinderella (Cynthia Cale-Binion), and Miss Sandra (Sandra Lynn Harris) on vocals - backed by Frank Zappa & The Mothers, along with Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Rodney Bingenheimer, Lowell George, Russ Titleman, and Ry Cooder.

Here is their 1969 album, produced by Zappa, Permanent Damage.

dawg

(10,708 posts)
23. 80's guy here voting for the Bangles.
Wed May 31, 2017, 10:24 AM
May 2017

Although the Dixie Chicks deserve to be in the poll, and are actually the only all-female band with an album in my collection.

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
36. I meant to list Dixie Chicks when I posted this yesterday...They are now option # 4
Wed May 31, 2017, 03:40 PM
May 2017

(Better late than never)

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
52. getting ready for their upcoming UK tour
Wed May 31, 2017, 06:29 PM
May 2017
http://www.bananarama.co.uk/

Back in the 1980s, I actually was able to buy "Venus" brand new on 45 rpm
(I think it was the last new 45 rpm record I bought...I still have it)

underpants

(186,295 posts)
29. L7
Wed May 31, 2017, 02:58 PM
May 2017

And they have some really cool album names

Bricks Are Heavy -- really good album
Smell the Magic
Hungry for Stink

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
47. Indigo Girls are now an option
Wed May 31, 2017, 06:07 PM
May 2017

Great Rolling Stone article about the Indigo Girls, (May 16, 2016)
"Indigo Girls' Emily Sailers on Reforming Religion, Why Trump Must Be Stopped"

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
38. Well, that's three votes for Indigo Girls, so they're up there now as poll option # 7
Wed May 31, 2017, 04:11 PM
May 2017

even though I hated to take down The Dixie Cups ("Chapel of Love&quot

randr

(12,462 posts)
34. Pointer Sisters?
Wed May 31, 2017, 03:39 PM
May 2017

Sweet Honey in the Rock, there are too many who may have not been pop stars but were over the top great

MiltonBrown

(322 posts)
37. Here are some girl groups worthy of mention:
Wed May 31, 2017, 04:10 PM
May 2017

Boswell Sisters

Andrews Sisters

the Bobbettes

the Chantels

the Delicates (RIP Arleen Lanzotti who passed away on monday)

the Angels

the Shangri Las

In my opinion the best singers of them all were the Bozzies (Boswell Sisters from New Orleans circa '20s-'30s)

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
39. The Chantels were one of the original poll options, but I had to take them down ...
Wed May 31, 2017, 04:26 PM
May 2017

..to make room for another band, even though I love their song "Maybe"
(They hadn't received any votes as of 5/30/2017 at 1 PM PST)

I love The Bobbettes, and I still have my 45 rpm copy of "Mr. Lee"

The Shangri Las' "Leader of the Pack" is a truly great song, but DU only allows 10 poll options.

(It's be nice if DU allowed you to list as many options as you want, or even 15 options instead of just 10)

The Andrew Sisters were great, but....(only 10 options allowed)

MiltonBrown

(322 posts)
40. I saw the Bobbettes about 8 years ago and they were fantastic!
Wed May 31, 2017, 04:30 PM
May 2017

Sadly the charismatic lead singer Reatha has passed away since.

My vote goes to the Boswell sisters because they please my ears the most.

MiltonBrown

(322 posts)
57. Thanks!
Wed May 31, 2017, 07:06 PM
May 2017

A great Girl Group from Southern California was the Teen Queens. The Bobbettes performed a fantastic version of their hit 'Eddie My Love' when I saw them.

red dog 1

(29,116 posts)
61. Thanks for that.
Wed May 31, 2017, 07:59 PM
May 2017

Teen Queens...Great name for a girl group..nearly all of the members of the groups listed were teenagers when they formed...(some as young as 14).

MiltonBrown

(322 posts)
62. Bobbettes had to be about the youngest.
Wed May 31, 2017, 08:15 PM
May 2017

Almost forgot THE CRYSTALS!

I think they had a revolving door of personel but they sure had a lot of hits.

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»In your opinion, best gir...