Biography of The Crystals

One of Phil Spector's first success stories, The Crystals' fortunes were at the mercy of the legendary producer. Although the group -- Dee Dee Kennibrew, La La Brooks, Pat Wright, Mary Thomas, and Barbara Alston -- formed before they met Spector, he owned the rights to the name and he changed the lineup to suit his recording purposes: on their first hit, "He's a Rebel," Darlene Love sang the lead vocals. After that single became a number one hit, Brooks returned to lead vocals and she sang their next two big hits -- "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me." After those two 1963 hits, Spector spent more time with The Ronettes and less with The Crystals; as a result, the group never had another hit. In the following years, their lineup kept shifting as the group played the oldies circuit. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine