Raindrops
This rock ‘n’ roll girl group came from New York City, New York, USA. The group was actually the songwriting/producing team of Ellie Greenwich (b. 23 October 1940, Brooklyn, New York, USA) and Jeff Barry (b. 3 April 1938). As part of the golden age of girl groups, the Raindrops presented a grating teenage-orientated sound with undeniable rock ‘n’ roll energy in their three 1963 hits: What A Guy (number 25 R&B and number 41 pop), The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget (number 27 R&B and number 17 pop), and That Boy John (number 64 pop). A Raindrops album track, Hanky Panky, later proved to be a big hit for Tommy James And The Shondells. Greenwich grew up in Levittown on Long Island and while in college at 1958 recorded her first single as Ellie Gaye. She found the world of songwriting more intriguing and by 1961 was teamed up with Tony Powers, writing songs for such acts as Bobby B. Soxx And The Bluejeans and the Exciters. In 1963 she turned to a new writing partner, Jeff Barry, and the soon-to-married pair began writing for Phil Spector, creating such classic girl group hits as Then He Kissed Me and Da Doo Ron Ron for the Crystals and Be My Baby and Baby, I Love You for the Ronettes. At the same time, Greenwich and Barry were signed as the Raindrops to Jubilee Records, after a demo of What A Guy was picked up by the label for release. For public appearances Bobby Bosco was substituted for Barry and Greenwich's sister or other girls were added. By 1964 the Raindrops were history and Greenwich and Barry joined Red Bird Records, writing and producing such hits as Leader Of The Pack and Give Us Your Blessings for the Shangri-Las and the Chapel Of Love and People Say for the Dixie Cups.