The Ronettes (clockwise from prime left), TLC, the Supremes, Spice Ladies and Future's Youngster have flexed their girl-group energy.
New York Put up composite
As lead singer of the Ronettes within the ’60s, Ronnie Spector — who died Jan. 12 at 78 — was a girl-group legend.
And a few traditional girl-group drama additionally went down in January: The Pussycat Dolls fought over their reunion tour cancellation, with founder Robin Antin suing frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger for breach of contract. Meow.
Versus all-female bands such because the Go-Go’s and the Bangles, woman teams are all about vocals, model and showwomanship. Right here, we rank the High 10 woman teams of all time, from the ’60s heyday to right now.
10. The Pussycat Dolls
Starting as a burlesque dance troupe, the Pussycat Dolls grew to become the largest woman group born within the twenty first century on the stripper-jam energy of their debut album, 2005’s “PCD,” and its smash single “Don’t Cha.” At their button-loosening finest, they have been the right mixture of the Mary Jane Ladies and the Spice Ladies. Too unhealthy they solely made two albums earlier than splitting up, after Scherzinger left to pursue a solo profession that by no means actually took off.
9. The Ronettes
If one single tune might land the Ronettes a spot on this checklist, then “Be My Child” — their largest and finest hit — is it. The truth is, a minimum of Brian Wilson has declared it the best pop report ever made. However whereas the Phil Spector-produced trio had a fairly quick discography — solely making one album, 1964’s “Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes that includes Veronica” — Ronnie Spector had a long-lasting affect on everybody from Madonna to Amy Winehouse.
8. Labelle
Beginning out within the ’60s as a extra standard woman group — first the Bluebelles after which Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles — this trio launched the format into some futuristic funkiness within the ’70s. Anybody who’s heard “What Can I Do for You?” or “Isn’t It a Disgrace” is aware of there was extra to them than their 1974 traditional “Woman Marmalade.” And whereas Patti LaBelle is a power of nature who went on to solo stardom, Nona Hendryx and the late Sarah Sprint have been way more than feather-wearing equipment.
7. The Pointer Sisters
Sure, there have been the Andrews Sisters within the ’30s and ’40s. However the Pointers have been a next-level sister act who might do every part from R&B and pop to jazz and even nation. The truth is, they received a Greatest Nation Vocal Efficiency Grammy for 1974’s “Fairytale.” And who might ever neglect their string of ’80s hits reminiscent of “Computerized,” “Bounce (For My Love)” and, after all, “I’m So Excited”?
6. En Vogue
Oh, Daybreak Richard, why did it's important to break such a very good factor? As a result of earlier than she left En Vogue in 1997, these funky divas have been on an unstoppable roll with hits reminiscent of “My Lovin’ (You’re By no means Gonna Get It),” “Free Your Thoughts” and their debut single “Maintain On.” The latter’s a cappella intro of the Motown traditional “Who’s Lovin’ You” is among the all-time girl-group moments. Regardless of by no means being the identical after Richard’s abrupt departure, En Vogue nonetheless has us lovin’ them.
5. The Shirelles
Earlier than all these nice Motown acts got here round within the ’60s, the Shirelles have been the blueprint for the woman group as we all know it. Taking doo-wop from the ’50s into the ’60s with classics reminiscent of “Tonight’s the Evening,” “Mama Stated” and “Soldier Boy,” they conquered the pop world fully once they hit No. 1 with 1960’s “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” The reply was clearly sure when the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame inducted them in 1996.
4. Spice Ladies
Ginger Spice, Posh Spice, Child Spice, Sporty Spice and Scary Spice have been such a world phenomenon past the music that they even made a film — 1997’s “Spice World” — that was their reply to The Beatles’ “A Exhausting Day’s Evening.” It was a complete pop-culture takeover. And whereas they impressed a string of wannabes of their native UK — from Ladies Aloud to Little Combine — none of them possessed almost as a lot woman energy.
3. TLC
If there have been any decade that might rival the ’60s for woman teams, it was the ’90s — particularly when it got here to R&B. However for each SWV, Xscape and Complete, no one however no one was as loopy, attractive and funky as TLC. Going from the Temptations-twisting new jack swing of “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg” to the socially acutely aware soul of “Waterfalls” to the busta-hating hip-pop of “No Scrubs,” T-Boz, Chilli and the late Left Eye have been as versatile as they have been visionary.
2. Future’s Youngster
If “all” DC did was give us Beyoncé, they'd deserve a spot on this checklist. Little doubt, the group’s legacy has been strengthened by the solo superstardom of its lead singer. However whether or not they have been a quartet (bear in mind LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett?) or a trio (rounded out by Michelle Williams and O.G. member Kelly Rowland), Future’s Youngster fiercely empowered unbiased ladies in every single place with hits reminiscent of “Payments, Payments, Payments,” “Survivor” and, better of all, “Say My Identify” — which has the excellence of successful Bey the primary of her report 28 Grammys.
1. The Supremes
Regardless of some worthy competitors from Martha & the Vandellas and the Marvelettes, Diana Ross’ squad received the battle of the woman teams at Motown. Then once more, dwelling as much as their title, they reigned supreme towards all challengers within the ’60s and past. With a staggering 12 No. 1 hits — from 1964’s “The place Did Our Love Go” to 1969’s Ross farewell “Sometime We’ll Be Collectively” — their silky-smooth soul-pop transcended race, class and tradition. The truth is, it has transcended time itself. And simply as Future’s Youngster gave us Beyoncé, the Supremes bestowed the diva of all divas in Miss Ross.
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