The Shirelles

Pioneering 1960s Girl Group

The Shirelles were a pioneering American girl group in the early 1960s, whose blend of pop, doo-wop, and R&B charted new territory for female acts in the music industry. Formed in 1957 in Passaic, New Jersey, the original members included Shirley Owens (later Alston-Reeves), Doris Coley (later Kenner-Jackson), Addie "Micki" Harris, and Beverly Lee. They achieved their first major success with "Tonight's the Night" in 1960. However, it was their 1961 hit "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, that made history as the first Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit by an African American girl group. The Shirelles continued to produce hits throughout the early '60s and were instrumental in shaping the "girl group" sound that would influence countless artists to come. Their music has left a lasting legacy on the pop and R&B genres.