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In her early career, Darlene Love was one of the busiest and most respected backup singers of all time. In the 1980s, she emerged under her own name, as an accomplished actress and concert performer.
As a member of the Blossoms, Darlene was heard on countless 1960s hit recordings ranging from “Monster Mash” to “That’s Life” and seen backing live performances by headliners on the scale of Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and Dionne Warwick. In the studio with producer Phil Spector, Love lent her voice to a series of hits, including the Crystals’ “He’s A Rebel” and “Da Doo Ron Ron,” the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans’ “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Da”, as well as releasing singles under her own name.
After appearing in 1981 at Righteous Brother Bill Medley’s club in Orange County, California, Darlene was invited to perform at a private Hollywood New Year’s Eve party, with a band – the Monte Carlos – formed specifically to back her. That was followed by numerous club shows, including a date on the Sunset Strip attended by “Little” Steven Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen (whose “Hungry Heart” was already part of her set). Hearing the buzz and reading the reviews, independent producer Bob Lasiewicz arranged for an engagement at the prestigious L.A. area jazz club Hop Singh’s.
Shortly after, Darlene moved to New York City, to star in the jukebox musical “Leader of the Pack,” followed by Broadway musical productions of “Carrie,” “Grease,” and “Hairspray.” She appeared in a non-singing role as Danny Glover‘s wife in the “Lethal Weapon” film series, and performed annually to great acclaim on “Late Night with David Letterman,” singing her holiday classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”
Darlene has continued working into the 2000s, with her Grammy®-winning appearance in the 2013 Oscar®-winning documentary “20 Feet from Stardom,” and her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. More than sixty years after her recording debut, Love continues to perform on concert stages throughout the country.