IOldies

The music world is mourning the loss of one of their own. Nedra Talley (Nedra Talley-Ross), who rose to fame as a member of the legendary girl group, The Ronettes, has died, this according to a post on her daughter’s social media.

The post read, “At approximately 8:30 this morning our mother Nedra Talley Ross went home to be with the Lord. She was safe in her own bed at home with her family close, knowing she was loved. Thank you Lord There will be a Celebration of Life in the future and I will post information when plans have been confirmed.”

Though groups of ladies had been surrounding the mic many years before these beehived beauties burst onto the scene, The Ronettes played a huge part in popularizing the female fronted acts and are often referred to as ‘The Original Girl Group’.

It was a family affair – Talley-Ross, along with her cousins, Estelle and Veronica Bennett (the latter would later be known to fans as Ronnie Spector) captivated audiences with their unique sound and similar look. Their career catapulted when controversial composer, Phil Spector, took them under his wing. He produced many of their most popular hits, including their classic Christmas album, ‘A Christmas Gift for You.’ “Be My Baby” proved to be the act’s biggest hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, in 1963. The Ronettes had additional success on the R&B Chart. “Baby, I Love You” and “Do I Love You?” both cracked the Top 10.

Among their many accomplishments are inductions into the Grammy, Vocal & Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.

Talley-Ross, who was the sole surviving member of the group, was 80 at the time of her passing. Her memory will live on through her music. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.

Happy 82nd birthday to Diana Ross! ❤️

Remembering lyricist Gerry Goffin who was born on this date February 11, 1939 in New York, NY.

At college he met Carol Joan Klein, who had started writing songs under the name Carole King. They began collaborating on songwriting, with King writing the music and Goffin the lyrics, and began a relationship, and married in August of 1959. Goffin at first worked with other writers including Barry Mann and Jack Keller, but he and Carole King soon established themselves as a successful writing team.

The partnership's breakthrough hit was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", for which Goffin wrote the lyrics. The song was recorded by the Shirelles and went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1961.

Goffin and King formed one of the most successful songwriting partnerships of the period, with hit songs including: "Take Good Care of My Baby" (a hit for Bobby Vee), "Halfway to Paradise" (Tony Orlando, Billy Fury), "The Loco-Motion" (Little Eva, and later Grand Funk Railroad and Kylie Minogue), "Go Away Little Girl" (Steve Lawrence, and later Donny Osmond), "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby)" (the Cookies), "It Might as Well Rain Until September" (Carole King), "One Fine Day" (the Chiffons), "Up on the Roof" (the Drifters and later James Taylor), "I'm into Something Good" (Herman's Hermits, but recorded first by Earl-Jean McCrea under the name Earl-Jean), "Don't Bring Me Down" (the Animals), "Oh No Not My Baby" (Maxine Brown, and later Rod Stewart), "Goin' Back" (Dusty Springfield, The Byrds), "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin), and "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (the Monkees). Goffin and King also wrote several songs jointly with record producer Phil Spector. In 1963, John Lennon was quoted as saying that he wanted Paul McCartney and himself to become "the Goffin-King of England". - Wiki

After splitting from King in , Goffin released a solo album in 1973, It "Ain't Exactly Entertainment", but it was not successful, and he began working with other composers, including Russ Titelman, Barry Goldberg, and then Michael Masser. He and Masser won an Academy Award nomination in 1976 for the theme to the film "Mahogany", sung by Diana Ross; and also wrote "Saving All My Love for You", a hit for Whitney Houston, "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love", "Miss You Like Crazy" and "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You"

Goffin and King were inducted together into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Goffin died June 19, 2014 at the age of 75