20 feet from stardom film

[steve w]

has anyone seen this? darlene love, merry clayton and tata vega I think its trying to emulate what great talents these ladies had for singing background, but of course its all about the break - I think it hits the UK in February 2014 - but would love to hear if anyone has seen it

[reese]

I saw it a few months back, and enjoyed it very much. There is most likely a thread here with various comments.

[milven]

I saw it during the summer and thought that it was excellent.

Here is the original thread where we discussed it

http://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread.php?8900-20-Feet-From-Stardom-Opens-June-14th!&highlight=feet+frp%2C+stardom

[brother_love]

I hear that it may be up for an Oscar nomination for best documentary. They started off with 175 films and it's now down to 15 which includes 20 Feet. The next list will be the top 5 nominations.

[stephanie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOuvqb4fTQg

I dont know if you all know this but there are a couple of clips on youtube that are having q and a sessions with some of the women from the film just put in 20 feet from stardom @ youtube and you will find them. People are saying if you liked Standing in the Shadows of Motown you will LOVE this!

[stephanie]

Real interesting tale by Ava Cherry!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiqelB3JpQQ

[stephanie]

Great interview with Merry Clayton she sang on more backgrounds than I thought

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W13VzSJteP4

[brother_love]

Darlene, Merry, Lisa and Judith will be singing the national anthem at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1st.

[jack020]

On dvd and bluray jan.14, 2014!

[stephanie]

Thanks Jack!

[steve w]

On dvd and bluray jan.14, 2014!

appreciated jack, its on my shopping list

[mr_june]

I saw it also [[Netflix) and liked it very much. I had no idea who they would have in the documentary but sure thought of The Andantes and The Sweet Hearts. I certainly didn't think it would include any of the today's singers but that was cool.

[glencro]

Thank you stephanie for posting the Ava Cherry clip...I thoroughly enjoyed the q&a with her

[brother_love]

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/interviews/merry-clayton-darlene-love-part-1/#.UvfJpmC5UEE.facebook

[chemelr]

It is time for honesty concerning Darlene Love, The Crystals and the Da Doo Ron Ron. I will get straight to the point. Phil Spector stated in August 2012 and December 2013 that Darlene Love had nothing to do with the DDRR. He told this to his wife, Rachelle Spector. That means Darlene did not record a track or sing background on the DDRR. La La Brooks, the former lead singer of The Crystals is the one and only original singer of the DDRR. At that time in history Darlene was at home caring for her newborn son. It is well known that Phil Spector didn’t overwrite tapes – as Darlene claims she was recorded on the DDRR and her voice was later overwritten with La La’s. He kept everything.

Darlene Love wrote a letter to Phil Spector recently asking him to confirm that she sang some part of the DDRR. He didn’t answer her as he knew she didn’t have anything to do with that.

Darlene Love says in the recently released DVD of Twenty Feet From Stardom, words to the effect that The Crystals didn’t want to be friends or close to her. La La Brooks was the only Crystal to have met Darlene in 1963. Dee Dee Kinniebrew, also a Crystal, didn’t meet Darlene until she [[Dee Dee) was 38 years old back in 1983 or 1984. All other members of The Crystals, to this day, have not met Darlene.

The management of La La Brooks contacted Morgan Neville about the fact that Darlene had nothing to do with the DDRR and he was dismayed. He felt Darlene had pulled one on him and he apologized to La La Brooks for this oversight. He also felt badly because he had to pay for the rights to use the DDRR in TFFS. After all a documentary needs to be accurate for the producer to maintain his reputation.

Why is it that from 1963 to 1983, Darlene never said anything about being a part of the DDRR? Darlene started to claim that she sang the DDRR after she was on the Broadway play for Ellie Greenwich. This just happened to coincide with the year that La La Brooks went to Europe to live for a number of years. When La La returned to the US, Shirley Alston-Reeves, formerly of the Shirelles, told La La that Darlene was claiming the DDRR. Dee Dee Kinniebrew who owns the rights to “The Crystals” spent many a radio hour explaining to the host and the public that Darlene did not sing the DDRR.

Darlene’s “friend” Cher was overjoyed to see La La Brooks in a NYC club this past year. La La Brooks stated that she told Cher that Darlene was claiming to sing the DDRR again. Cher smiled and rolled her eyes. The paparazzi was thick and they were unable to carry on their conversation. Best evidence to date is that Cher, Fanita James and Gracia Nitzsche sang background on the DDRR. So Cher should know.

Darlene has enough credit on other things, why is it so important to her to tell everyone that she sang the DDRR in any shape, form or fashion? Does she get added income from saying this? Everyone knows that it is La La Brooks’ voice singing the DDRR. I sang the DDRR in 1963 because I love the song but that doesn’t mean I can take credit for it. Darlene has used excuses that Spector didn’t want to pay her scale or that her name or The Blossoms wouldn’t sell. He did pay for La La to fly from NYC to LA and back, pay her expenses as well as pay her for the session, put her up at the Knickerbocker Hotel in LA, and he had both Sonny and Cher drive her [[La La) around town, to and from the studio, etc, as Sonny worked for Spector and Cher was hoping to get into the business. Spector could have used the money that he spent on La La to pay Darlene but he didn’t.

If this is important to Darlene, why doesn’t she lay out the entire version of her singing the DDRR, either lead or background? She never has presented any evidence. Have her elaborate in detail to the public. All Darlene has ever said is that she sang a track on the DDRR and it was over written with La La’s voice. Again, it is known that Phil did not overwrite or re-use tapes, he kept everything. Even The Wrecking Crew, the musicians on the DDRR, don’t recall Darlene singing any part of the DDRR.

It is really uncouth to claim someone else’s fame. If Darlene believes that strongly that she should get credit for the DDRR, please have her elaborate in detail. I am surprised that to this point, she hasn’t done so.

Another error in Twenty Feet From Stardom is that The Blossoms did not sing background on Betty Everett's Shoop, Shoop Song. The Opals did and the song was recorded by VJ Records in Chicago. The Blossoms sang background when Merry Clayton sang the SSS, which was a flop. The Blossoms sang background when Aretha Franklin sang a cover of the SSS on Shindig. No record was made of this event.

[skooldem1]

I don't recall which blog I stumbled across regarding this. But on it they had La La's facebook entries discussing this in detail. She was not kind to Darlene, and I believe every word she said.

[brother_love]

Spoke to Fanita James today to clear some of these issues at hand. First of all the background vocals on DDRR were sung by Gloria Jones, Cher, Bobby Sheen, Gracia Nitzsche, Darlene and Fanita. Another thing Fanita mentioned was that it was Darlene and Fanita who recorded the background vocals on "It's In His Kiss" and not the Opals. She said it that they both over dubed their vocals on that track.
It is time for honesty concerning Darlene Love, The Crystals and the Da Doo Ron Ron. I will get straight to the point. Phil Spector stated in August 2012 and December 2013 that Darlene Love had nothing to do with the DDRR. He told this to his wife, Rachelle Spector. That means Darlene did not record a track or sing background on the DDRR. La La Brooks, the former lead singer of The Crystals is the one and only original singer of the DDRR. At that time in history Darlene was at home caring for her newborn son. It is well known that Phil Spector didn’t overwrite tapes – as Darlene claims she was recorded on the DDRR and her voice was later overwritten with La La’s. He kept everything.

Darlene Love wrote a letter to Phil Spector recently asking him to confirm that she sang some part of the DDRR. He didn’t answer her as he knew she didn’t have anything to do with that.

Darlene Love says in the recently released DVD of Twenty Feet From Stardom, words to the effect that The Crystals didn’t want to be friends or close to her. La La Brooks was the only Crystal to have met Darlene in 1963. Dee Dee Kinniebrew, also a Crystal, didn’t meet Darlene until she [[Dee Dee) was 38 years old back in 1983 or 1984. All other members of The Crystals, to this day, have not met Darlene.

The management of La La Brooks contacted Morgan Neville about the fact that Darlene had nothing to do with the DDRR and he was dismayed. He felt Darlene had pulled one on him and he apologized to La La Brooks for this oversight. He also felt badly because he had to pay for the rights to use the DDRR in TFFS. After all a documentary needs to be accurate for the producer to maintain his reputation.

Why is it that from 1963 to 1983, Darlene never said anything about being a part of the DDRR? Darlene started to claim that she sang the DDRR after she was on the Broadway play for Ellie Greenwich. This just happened to coincide with the year that La La Brooks went to Europe to live for a number of years. When La La returned to the US, Shirley Alston-Reeves, formerly of the Shirelles, told La La that Darlene was claiming the DDRR. Dee Dee Kinniebrew who owns the rights to “The Crystals” spent many a radio hour explaining to the host and the public that Darlene did not sing the DDRR.

Darlene’s “friend” Cher was overjoyed to see La La Brooks in a NYC club this past year. La La Brooks stated that she told Cher that Darlene was claiming to sing the DDRR again. Cher smiled and rolled her eyes. The paparazzi was thick and they were unable to carry on their conversation. Best evidence to date is that Cher, Fanita James and Gracia Nitzsche sang background on the DDRR. So Cher should know.

Darlene has enough credit on other things, why is it so important to her to tell everyone that she sang the DDRR in any shape, form or fashion? Does she get added income from saying this? Everyone knows that it is La La Brooks’ voice singing the DDRR. I sang the DDRR in 1963 because I love the song but that doesn’t mean I can take credit for it. Darlene has used excuses that Spector didn’t want to pay her scale or that her name or The Blossoms wouldn’t sell. He did pay for La La to fly from NYC to LA and back, pay her expenses as well as pay her for the session, put her up at the Knickerbocker Hotel in LA, and he had both Sonny and Cher drive her [[La La) around town, to and from the studio, etc, as Sonny worked for Spector and Cher was hoping to get into the business. Spector could have used the money that he spent on La La to pay Darlene but he didn’t.

If this is important to Darlene, why doesn’t she lay out the entire version of her singing the DDRR, either lead or background? She never has presented any evidence. Have her elaborate in detail to the public. All Darlene has ever said is that she sang a track on the DDRR and it was over written with La La’s voice. Again, it is known that Phil did not overwrite or re-use tapes, he kept everything. Even The Wrecking Crew, the musicians on the DDRR, don’t recall Darlene singing any part of the DDRR.

It is really uncouth to claim someone else’s fame. If Darlene believes that strongly that she should get credit for the DDRR, please have her elaborate in detail. I am surprised that to this point, she hasn’t done so.

Another error in Twenty Feet From Stardom is that The Blossoms did not sing background on Betty Everett's Shoop, Shoop Song. The Opals did and the song was recorded by VJ Records in Chicago. The Blossoms sang background when Merry Clayton sang the SSS, which was a flop. The Blossoms sang background when Aretha Franklin sang a cover of the SSS on Shindig. No record was made of this event.

[smark21]

I wonder with Darlene's lies being exposed if this will hurt the film's chances at a Best Documentary Oscar?

[brother_love]

Merry Clayton, Tata Vega & Judith Hill will be on Peirs Morgan CNN toinght.

[Ngroove]

It is time for honesty concerning Darlene Love, The Crystals and the Da Doo Ron Ron. I will get straight to the point. Phil Spector stated in August 2012 and December 2013 that Darlene Love had nothing to do with the DDRR. He told this to his wife, Rachelle Spector. That means Darlene did not record a track or sing background on the DDRR. La La Brooks, the former lead singer of The Crystals is the one and only original singer of the DDRR. At that time in history Darlene was at home caring for her newborn son. It is well known that Phil Spector didn’t overwrite tapes – as Darlene claims she was recorded on the DDRR and her voice was later overwritten with La La’s. He kept everything.

Darlene Love wrote a letter to Phil Spector recently asking him to confirm that she sang some part of the DDRR. He didn’t answer her as he knew she didn’t have anything to do with that.

I love Darlene Love's music - but regardless of my love for her's and other singers' songs credited by Spector's production - Spector himself is and has long been, a neurotic, psychotic, paranoid nutjob.

[antceleb12]

It is time for honesty concerning Darlene Love, The Crystals and the Da Doo Ron Ron. I will get straight to the point. Phil Spector stated in August 2012 and December 2013 that Darlene Love had nothing to do with the DDRR. He told this to his wife, Rachelle Spector. That means Darlene did not record a track or sing background on the DDRR. La La Brooks, the former lead singer of The Crystals is the one and only original singer of the DDRR. At that time in history Darlene was at home caring for her newborn son. It is well known that Phil Spector didn’t overwrite tapes – as Darlene claims she was recorded on the DDRR and her voice was later overwritten with La La’s. He kept everything.

Darlene Love wrote a letter to Phil Spector recently asking him to confirm that she sang some part of the DDRR. He didn’t answer her as he knew she didn’t have anything to do with that.

Darlene Love says in the recently released DVD of Twenty Feet From Stardom, words to the effect that The Crystals didn’t want to be friends or close to her. La La Brooks was the only Crystal to have met Darlene in 1963. Dee Dee Kinniebrew, also a Crystal, didn’t meet Darlene until she [[Dee Dee) was 38 years old back in 1983 or 1984. All other members of The Crystals, to this day, have not met Darlene.

The management of La La Brooks contacted Morgan Neville about the fact that Darlene had nothing to do with the DDRR and he was dismayed. He felt Darlene had pulled one on him and he apologized to La La Brooks for this oversight. He also felt badly because he had to pay for the rights to use the DDRR in TFFS. After all a documentary needs to be accurate for the producer to maintain his reputation.

Why is it that from 1963 to 1983, Darlene never said anything about being a part of the DDRR? Darlene started to claim that she sang the DDRR after she was on the Broadway play for Ellie Greenwich. This just happened to coincide with the year that La La Brooks went to Europe to live for a number of years. When La La returned to the US, Shirley Alston-Reeves, formerly of the Shirelles, told La La that Darlene was claiming the DDRR. Dee Dee Kinniebrew who owns the rights to “The Crystals” spent many a radio hour explaining to the host and the public that Darlene did not sing the DDRR.

Darlene’s “friend” Cher was overjoyed to see La La Brooks in a NYC club this past year. La La Brooks stated that she told Cher that Darlene was claiming to sing the DDRR again. Cher smiled and rolled her eyes. The paparazzi was thick and they were unable to carry on their conversation. Best evidence to date is that Cher, Fanita James and Gracia Nitzsche sang background on the DDRR. So Cher should know.

Darlene has enough credit on other things, why is it so important to her to tell everyone that she sang the DDRR in any shape, form or fashion? Does she get added income from saying this? Everyone knows that it is La La Brooks’ voice singing the DDRR. I sang the DDRR in 1963 because I love the song but that doesn’t mean I can take credit for it. Darlene has used excuses that Spector didn’t want to pay her scale or that her name or The Blossoms wouldn’t sell. He did pay for La La to fly from NYC to LA and back, pay her expenses as well as pay her for the session, put her up at the Knickerbocker Hotel in LA, and he had both Sonny and Cher drive her [[La La) around town, to and from the studio, etc, as Sonny worked for Spector and Cher was hoping to get into the business. Spector could have used the money that he spent on La La to pay Darlene but he didn’t.

If this is important to Darlene, why doesn’t she lay out the entire version of her singing the DDRR, either lead or background? She never has presented any evidence. Have her elaborate in detail to the public. All Darlene has ever said is that she sang a track on the DDRR and it was over written with La La’s voice. Again, it is known that Phil did not overwrite or re-use tapes, he kept everything. Even The Wrecking Crew, the musicians on the DDRR, don’t recall Darlene singing any part of the DDRR.

It is really uncouth to claim someone else’s fame. If Darlene believes that strongly that she should get credit for the DDRR, please have her elaborate in detail. I am surprised that to this point, she hasn’t done so.

Another error in Twenty Feet From Stardom is that The Blossoms did not sing background on Betty Everett's Shoop, Shoop Song. The Opals did and the song was recorded by VJ Records in Chicago. The Blossoms sang background when Merry Clayton sang the SSS, which was a flop. The Blossoms sang background when Aretha Franklin sang a cover of the SSS on Shindig. No record was made of this event.

Well, first of all, Spector - as much of a genius as he was - is a total nutjob. For every reason you have to not trust Darlene there are a thousand more not to trust Spector. Secondly, when the Wrecking Crew recorded their parts and when the singers recorded their background parts, it was usually always separate from the lead. This, I know, is fact because backing tracks with various stages of vocals, and without vocals, exist for some of his songs. Thirdly, how do you know Phil never erased any of his stuff? Nobody can know that for certain. In regards to Cher, Cher is more of a friend to Darlene than you imply. Cher has said some marvelous things about Darlene over many years, so I don't feel like anyone has room to speak on behalf of someone else's relationships especially when one doesn't know the people involved. Also, how much detail do you want from Darlene about DDRR? She stated she recorded an initial vocal, but that when they continued with Shindig, Phil got mad and got even [[which he did to so many people throughout his life). Another point - Darlene is on not one, but TWO, hit singles credited to the Crystals, so why is it hard to believe that she COULD HAVE been used initially for DDRR? Frankly, Darlene doesn't make a grand spectacle over the thing, so what does it matter? Maybe she's just remembering incorrectly? Maybe she never recorded it, but she might have been given it to learn. I mean, it's been 50 years, for Pete's sake. As for the Shoop Shoop Song, the only place I have read that the Opals appear on Betty Everett's version is Wikipedia. Nothing I have read is grounds for saying such bad things, and in terms of all the personal stuff, hearsay, about Darlene. The only thing you have against her is DDRR. Nobody's perfect, anyhow. Maybe she did record it, maybe she didn't. Who cares? Whether she did or didn't record it isn't going to change the fact that we have La La's vocal.

[rod_rick]

Well, first of all, Spector - as much of a genius as he was - is a total nutjob. For every reason you have to not trust Darlene there are a thousand more not to trust Spector. Secondly, when the Wrecking Crew recorded their parts and when the singers recorded their background parts, it was usually always separate from the lead. This, I know, is fact because backing tracks with various stages of vocals, and without vocals, exist for some of his songs. Thirdly, how do you know Phil never erased any of his stuff? Nobody can know that for certain. In regards to Cher, Cher is more of a friend to Darlene than you imply. Cher has said some marvelous things about Darlene over many years, so I don't feel like anyone has room to speak on behalf of someone else's relationships especially when one doesn't know the people involved. Also, how much detail do you want from Darlene about DDRR? She stated she recorded an initial vocal, but that when they continued with Shindig, Phil got mad and got even [[which he did to so many people throughout his life). Another point - Darlene is on not one, but TWO, hit singles credited to the Crystals, so why is it hard to believe that she COULD HAVE been used initially for DDRR? Frankly, Darlene doesn't make a grand spectacle over the thing, so what does it matter? Maybe she's just remembering incorrectly? Maybe she never recorded it, but she might have been given it to learn. I mean, it's been 50 years, for Pete's sake. As for the Shoop Shoop Song, the only place I have read that the Opals appear on Betty Everett's version is Wikipedia. Nothing I have read is grounds for saying such bad things, and in terms of all the personal stuff, hearsay, about Darlene. The only thing you have against her is DDRR. Nobody's perfect, anyhow. Maybe she did record it, maybe she didn't. Who cares? Whether she did or didn't record it isn't going to change the fact that we have La La's vocal.

Well stated. I beleive Darlene did record DDRR and her lead vocal was wiped off. It's clear that she recorded quite a few songs credited to the Crystals and other groups.

[brother_love]

Darlene today on the CBS Morning News

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/darlene-love-rock-and-roll-hall-of-famer-on-20-feet-from-stardom/

[stephanie]

I remember reading in some pop book years ago [[before this became an issue) that Darlenes vocal was wiped out. I want to believe Darlene and I guess this is a big thing because La La wants to protect her legacy. Anyway I hope that this becomes water under the bridge. Good luck Darlene and La La.

[jobeterob]

And people thought the Supremes, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Paul Revere and the Raiders were bad!

[nysister]

I finally saw the movie over the weekend and I Loved it! Mary Clayton is a powerhouse!
All I can say is that Miss Lisa Fisher is a Badd Lady but in our singers' circle, Lisa is affectionately referred to as "A Beast." What an awesome, awesome lady. Our circle always joke that when we all grow up, we want to be just like Miss Lisa..LOL!

[reese]

Merry Clayton, Judith Hill,and Tata Vega will be sitting in with the Posse on tonight's Arsenio Hall show.

[milven]

I remember reading in some pop book years ago [[before this became an issue) that Darlenes vocal was wiped out. I want to believe Darlene and I guess this is a big thing because La La wants to protect her legacy. Anyway I hope that this becomes water under the bridge. Good luck Darlene and La La.

In this link that Brother Love posted above http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/darlen...-from-stardom/ , at about 2:50, Darlene says that she even sings Da Doo Run Run in her shows , even though it is not her voice on the record

[smark21]

Here's a link to La La Brooks' Facebook page [[open to public viewing). Check her post from January 31 calling out Darlene Love. A couple of weeks later Darlene goes on TV and admits she wasn't on the recorded version. https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-La-Brooks/132764673447464

[brother_love]

I wonder how Lala felt about going on TV and having to lip-sync to Darlene's vocals?


http://m.arseniohall.com/video/music-performances/4102_Merry_Clayton_Tata_Vega_Judith_Hill_Perform_Y ou_Are_So_Beautiful/index.php

[brother_love]

Darlene Love on The Colbert Report

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/433249/february-24-2014/darlene-love

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/433250/february-24-2014/darlene-love----he-s-a-rebel-

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/433253/february-24-2014/exclusive---darlene-love----da-doo-ron-ron-

[antceleb12]

Darlene Love on The Colbert Report

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/433249/february-24-2014/darlene-love

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/433250/february-24-2014/darlene-love----he-s-a-rebel-

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/433253/february-24-2014/exclusive---darlene-love----da-doo-ron-ron-

Great clips! Thanks for sharing, brother. Her voice is still in fine, fine shape!

[jack020]

The movie was shown on Belgian National TV twice this week!

[brother_love]

Darlene talks about her days with the Blossoms and Tom Jones.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/darlene-love-recalls-oddest-performance-in-20-feet-from-stardom-clip-20140226

[rrussi]

I have been reading some of the above posts. Cher did sing on Da Doo Ron Ron as she has always stated the first record she sang on was the Ronettes' Be My Baby. Dee Dee Kenniebrew says that they did the backups in NYC after La La had gone to Calif. to record the lead.
Anyway, I did not like20 Feet documentary. Followed no chronological order. Where were the Cookies or the Andantes??? The Cookies sang on so many hits in NYC--Neil Sedaka, Bobby Vee, Eydie Gorme's "Blame It On The Bossa Nova", etc.

There was a group of older women in Phila. connected to the Clara Ward Singers who did backups for Cameo-Parkway artists like Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, DD Sharp.

[rrussi]

My computer is skipping letters/words. I meant to say Cher did NOT sing on Da Doo Ron Ron.
Anyway, so many other singers could've been included in 20 Feet. Andantes should have been.

[rrussi]

Also, all the Crystals met Darlene in 1963 when she came to NYC to pose for the Christmas lp photo. They were all together, the who lineup of artists posed together. This is according to DD Kenniebrew. She did not see Darlene again until 1982 at Micki Harris' funeral. Micki was a member of the Shirelles. So, yes, Dee Dee, La La, Barbara Alston and Pat Wright, the four Crystals on the Christmas cover photo all met Darlene at the photo shoot at Three Lions Studio in NYC.

[antceleb12]

Anyway, I did not like20 Feet documentary. Followed no chronological order. Where were the Cookies or the Andantes??? The Cookies sang on so many hits in NYC--Neil Sedaka, Bobby Vee, Eydie Gorme's "Blame It On The Bossa Nova", etc.

There was a group of older women in Phila. connected to the Clara Ward Singers who did backups for Cameo-Parkway artists like Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, DD Sharp.

Per the Cookies, they were their own group who had their own hits in their own right. I think the point of the documentary was to showcase the background singers who never found a successful career of their own [[technically, Darlene had her own hits, but only one or two of them were in her own name).

As per the Andantes, I wondered why they weren't in their, but in retrospect, I think they are a lot more known than the Blossoms, Tata Vega, etc. The groups featured in the documentary were very sporadic in who they recorded for - they went from label to label, studio to studio recording for groups all over, and I think the movie wanted to track down their history. The Andantes recorded almost solely for Motown. I guess I don't mind that they weren't in their because there was so much of the other groups and singers I didn't know about. To each their own!

[rrussi]

As per the Cookies, they only had two hits themselves--Chains and Don't Say Nothin' Bad
About My Baby. I don't think the girls who recorded are the girls who recorded.

[antceleb12]

I don't think the girls who recorded are the girls who recorded.

Do you think they had substitute Cookies on the recordings?

[rrussi]

What I meant to say is that I don't think the girls who recorded are the girls who went out and performed as the Cookies. The actual recording group was in a lot of demand.
Don't know why I am having trouble today.

[antceleb12]

What I meant to say is that I don't think the girls who recorded are the girls who went out and performed as the Cookies. The actual recording group was in a lot of demand.
Don't know why I am having trouble today.

Interesting...it wouldn't surprise me. Reminds me of a lot of the fake groups, such as the Raindrops and the Jaynetts.

[rrussi]

Yes, I think the real group had so much session work. I think Ellie did take her sister and another girl, plus a guy named Bobby Bosco out to perform as the Raindrops. I remember a photo of them with Cousin Brucie, I think, at Palisades Park.

[antceleb12]

Yes, I think the real group had so much session work. I think Ellie did take her sister and another girl, plus a guy named Bobby Bosco out to perform as the Raindrops. I remember a photo of them with Cousin Brucie, I think, at Palisades Park.

I can't remember where I read this, but apparently when they performed live, they would have her sister and the other girl lip sync to pre-recorded "live" vocals by Ellie. It's amazing the subterfuge they went through to make it believable. I've always wondered why they just never got another girl...

[brother_love]

http://blog.sfgate.com/thebigevent/2014/03/05/qa-darlene-love-exciting-and-new-returns-to-san-francisco/

[imnokid]

plus a guy named Bobby Bosco out to perform as the Raindrops.

Bobby Bosco from the first incarnation of The Soul Survivors when they had 4 singers?

[rrussi]

Possibly the same guy!

[chemelr]

The Facts: Darlene Love was not in the State of California at the time of the recording of the DDRR. This is from Rachelle Spector who speaks and visits with Phil each week. Darlene Love sent Phil Spector a letter recently asking him to clear up the DDRR. Phil did not answer as he wasn't going to lie for her. Fanita's memory is a little hazy. The background singers according to Phil Spector, and he should know since he co-wrote, managed and produced the DDRR - his word is final, are Fanita, Cher and Gracia Nitzsche. Fanita is dreaming. It is a fact that The Opals were the background singers on the Shoop Shoop Song [[It's In His Kiss) as sung by Betty Everett and recorded by VJ Records on the RECORD. You can view a YouTube video showing The Blossoms singing background on Merry Clayton's failed version of the SSS. I like Fanita but her memory is not correct. I don't get my information from the web, I get it from the people involved. Of course from the horse's mouth is best - here is Darlene Love on CBS's This Morning Show finally admitting that her voice is not on those songs, i.e. DDRR and the SSS. It was MY research that forced into the truth before the thing blew up at the Oscars.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/darlene-love-rock-and-roll-hall-of-famer-on-20-feet-from-stardom/

You can skip to the 2:16 mark to hear her admission.

[chemelr]

You can have your opinions but you can't change facts. Rachelle Spector, Phil's 4th wife, runs his enterprise while he is in prison. She has possession and control of all Phil's tapes. I never rely on Wikipedia for anything since I have direct access to the people involved. He did not overwrite tapes. Get with Rachelle and go through them with her. You can bluster all you want but by my research, and providing it to the right people, Darlene Love finally confessed on 17 Feb 2014 on CBS's This Morning, that her voice is not on the DDRR and those songs [[the Shoop Shoop Song, It's In His Kiss). So what are you going to say now? Darlene Love claimed she sang the DDRR for 30 years and it was MY research that forced her hand.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/darlene-love-rock-and-roll-hall-of-famer-on-20-feet-from-stardom/

Jump to 2:16 to listen to your girl. Nothing personal, I just have access to people in the industry that you don't.

[chemelr]

Darlene Love only sang He's A Rebel and He's Sure The Boy I love under The Crystals' name. She DID NOT nor did The Blossoms as a group, sing background on any Crystal song. Fanita James was the only member of The Blossoms to sing background on the DDRR.

[chemelr]

Randy, you are getting this all balled up. Cher sang background on the DDRR. Phil may be a murderer but that doesn't make him a liar and he's the one that's final authority on the DDRR. Dee Dee's memory is fading also. I read quite a bit information from her published story on an on-line magazine. Phil never came back to New York to do background on the DDRR. I choose to believe La La over Dee Dee. The Christmas album was done in separate sessions and The Crystals and Darlene didn't meet each other. You have to remember that Darlene Love LIED for 30 years about her [[Darlene) being the original singer of the DDRR. My research, and I'm not ashamed to take credit for it, is what caused Darlene Love to finally tell the truth. So I think my track record speaks for itself. The other thing that people forget about or don't think about - where do you think La La Brooks was at all these times? On the moon? Who, besides Phil, should know more about her own record? She was there personally at these events. I have always found her to be 100% truthful. Research has always backed her up.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/darlene-love-rock-and-roll-hall-of-famer-on-20-feet-from-stardom/

Go to the 2:16 mark to hear Darlene admit the truth.

[rrussi]

I have to say it DOES sound as if Cher is singing with the backups on Da Doo Ron Ron, but she has always said the first record she sang on was Be My Baby, recorded about five months after DDRR.

[brother_love]

Who cares about all this BS hearsay that happened in the past, it's done. Trust me Darlene is not losing any sleep over any of this and neither should anyone else that was not even there. The bottom line is Darlene is the final star standing and this is just the beginning. Bravo Darlene, I'm very happy for all of the blessings that God is shinning your way.

[chemelr]

Also, all the Crystals met Darlene in 1963 when she came to NYC to pose for the Christmas lp photo. They were all together, the who lineup of artists posed together. This is according to DD Kenniebrew. She did not see Darlene again until 1982 at Micki Harris' funeral. Micki was a member of the Shirelles. So, yes, Dee Dee, La La, Barbara Alston and Pat Wright, the four Crystals on the Christmas cover photo all met Darlene at the photo shoot at Three Lions Studio in NYC.

I am respectfully disagreeing with you on this one Randy. Dee Dee is having a senior moment about the recording session for the Christmas album. Research shows that Darlene Love was still in Los Angeles at the time of the recording of the Christmas album. Therefore it was not possible for anyone to have met Darlene at this session. Darlene's session was recorded in Los Angeles. Phil intentionally kept The Ronettes and The Crystals in separate rooms in NYC at the recording studio. The ladies were able to say hi and good bye and that was about it. There was no posing together. It is individual photos and the Christmas boxes they are standing in are "photo shopped for a lack of a better word). I like Dee Dee and have researched her also. In her Daeida magazine interview, she stated that Patsy Wright's mother chaperoned La La Brooks when she flew to LA to record the DDRR and other songs. Research shows that La La flew alone to LA. Dee Dee said in the same article that The Crystals sang background on the DDRR. This is also a senior moment. Think about it. Phil flies La La to Los Angeles to record her lead voice. Now why would Phil had payed to fly La La back to NYC and then himself fly back to NYC to do the background with the other members of The Crystals? That doesn't make sense. Don't you think that since La La and the others Crystals are in Brooklyn together during the supposed background session that La La wouldn't know of this from the other Crystals?

I should have an answer here soon on who really sang background on the DDRR. One thing is fact - Darlene Love did NOT have anything to do with DDRR by her own admission.

[chemelr]

Who cares about all this BS hearsay that happened in the past, it's done. Trust me Darlene is not losing any sleep over any of this and neither should anyone else that was not even there. The bottom line is Darlene is the final star standing and this is just the beginning. Bravo Darlene, I'm very happy for all of the blessings that God is shinning your way.

I don't trust you. Darlene Love is losing sleep over this matter. It was MY research that forced her to admit that her voice is NOT on the DDRR on 17 Feb 2014 on CBS's This Morning Show. 30 years of lying caught up with her. I have purchased a license in perpetuity from CBS of this interview so that I will always have evidence that she lied. Talk about someone who wasn't there - that was Darlene Love herself. Thumbs down to Darlene Love. I am contemplating writing a book about her deception and her miserable life. What you see on the screen is NOT what she is like behind the scenes. Tina Turner, Ronnie Spector, Sonny Bono, and one of Darlene's own costars from Twenty Feet From Stardom, among a list of others, all know of her less than desirable personality. It is all in research.

[rrussi]

Dee Dee did NOT say she met Darlene at recording sessions for the Christmas lp! I did not write that either. I wrote that Dee Dee said they [[Crystals) met D. Love when she came to NY to pose for the cover photo.
Also, Cher is cited in several sources that Be My Baby was the first session she did.

[rrussi]

By the way, Phil still did do recording in NYC. He recorded the Crystals in 1964 on a song called Please Be My Boyfriend and went back to Barbara Alston to sing lead.

[antceleb12]

chemelr: Have you posted anything else on this forum besides reasons why we should dislike Darlene Love? We get it. You don't like her. But please, stop making it your mission to get everyone else to dislike her. Worry about your own life and not others. This whole thing is really old. This obsession over whether or not Darlene sang anything on DDRR is ridiculous. There are much bigger things in life to worry about. This is not one of them. There are lots of people who enjoy the voice and music of Darlene Love. I am one of them. However, I also happen to like La La Brooks. There is no reason why I should abhor one or the other.

[antceleb12]

Thumbs down to Darlene Love. I am contemplating writing a book about her deception and her miserable life.

That is really LOW. What kind of way is that to talk about another person? Seriously. She is not a murderer. She doesn't picket funerals. She's not a rapist, a thief, a terrorist. She's a human being. This is insane.

[chemelr]

Darlene Love does the worst rendition of the DDRR I have ever heard.

[rrussi]

Well, I think it is at its worst by Shaun Cassidy.

[chemelr]

antceleb12: Likes or dislikes have nothing to do with this. It is all about truth. Darlene knows nothing about truth. I can say what I want to say and there is nothing physical you can do about it. Obviously truth is something that you don't value in life. Next time you want to do a manifesto or diatribe - stick your head out the door and let it rip.

[chemelr]

In your opinion - which I don't value. I deal only in facts.

[jobeterob]

I'm getting the drift here about why Non Supremes fans scan certain threads and go "OK, well, she didn't sing on that, but who cares? and what real difference does it make?"

They world didn't end for you as long as you weren't flying on Malaysian Airlines 370.

It's nice that a few background singers got a bit of spotlight for a while. Tata Vega sure had a blast and I heard her say she would ride this film for everything it was worth til the ride ended.

[antceleb12]

Obviously truth is something that you don't value in life. Next time you want to do a manifesto or diatribe - stick your head out the door and let it rip.

Watch what you're saying. You have every right to disagree with me, but you're verging on personal attacks now. I'm not sure where you're pulling this so-called "diatribe" from, but if you're going to come here and tear down a singer many people love, you should expect dissenting views. I'm sorry you hate Darlene Love, but my appreciation for Darlene has nothing to do with what she's said or what she hasn't said. I love her voice, plain and simple. And guess what? I also love La La's. And that has nothing to do with "valuing the truth."

I've never seen or heard any interviews where she's said these "lies." I've never met either of these women. I'm not going to get mixed up in their dirty laundry. It is none of my business, and it is none of your business whether or not I like Darlene Love or not. Why does it matter to you? It's not like I'm admiring a racist, or a murderer, or someone with a truly deplorable past? Sorry, but I love her music. What she has said has nothing to do with that. I'd rather concern myself with issues that affect my life, such as who will be running for president, taxes, poverty, etc. This thing with Darlene and La La is between Darlene and La La. I understand why it's an issue with La La. To me? It's trite and of no importance. The world keeps turning. It's time to move on.

[rrussi]

chemelr, what makes you so certain that you have the facts? And why would Phil have the final say on Da Doo Ron Ron? Just like the singers and musicians, couldn't he confuse one session with another? And, yes, I believe La La traveled to L.A. with a chaperone. She was only about 15 on the session for DDRR. She may have been able to fly on a plane without an adult, but a hotel? And I am sure on at least one trip out west to record, Kate Henry, Dee Dee's mother, went with her as she had told me about meeting Bertha, Phil's mother. And it is Kate who was responsible for bringing La La into the group when Myrna Gerard decided to leave. Kate worked at the school La La attended and had heard her sing.

[helga]

I wouldn't be surprised if chemelr is La La Brookes.

[rrussi]

Well, I was just looking at Barbara Alston's book, There's No Other, published in 2007 Publish America, Baltimore. On page 61 she writes "I'll never forget our first airplane flight from Washington DC, where we were booked at the Howard Theater for a week, to New York, where Phil wanted us to record the background on our next record, Da Doo Ron Ron." She goes on to say she told Patsy [[Wright) that she didn't care what Phil says, she didn't want to get on the plane. She did however.
So, there is another Crystal saying they recorded the backup vocals in NY.

[Motown Eddie]

has anyone seen this? darlene love, merry clayton and tata vega I think its trying to emulate what great talents these ladies had for singing background, but of course its all about the break - I think it hits the UK in February 2014 - but would love to hear if anyone has seen it

I've seen "Twenty Feet From Stardom" and I think it's great. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and either rent or see the movie when you have a chance. While it doesn't tell the story of every background singer [[or group) from the golden era of Rock & Soul Music, the stories they do tell [[Darlene Love & the Blossoms, Lisa Fischer, Merry Clayton & Judith Hill) are compelling. Also, the film won the Oscar for best documentary three weeks ago so that's another good recommendation right there.

[marv2]

I just watched this film [[on Netflix). My observations: It was a bit too long, too serious [[in my opinion for it's subject matter....) and a bit depressing overall.

[skooldem1]

It's funny that you mention that. I watched it earlier this week on Netflix. After all the great reviews I had read, and the Oscar win, I was expecting it to be better. I'm not hating, it's just that it didn't live up to the hype IMO. It was great to learn more about Ike and Tina's backup singer. Looking at those clips of her, she was HOT back in the day.

[marv2]

It's funny that you mention that. I watched it earlier this week on Netflix. After all the great reviews I had read, and the Oscar win, I was expecting it to be better. I'm not hating, it's just that it didn't live up to the hype IMO. It was great to learn more about Ike and Tina's backup singer. Looking at those clips of her, she was HOT back in the day.

Claudia Linnear was hot! I was very surprised at the current appearance of Lisa Fischer. I did not recognize her at all from her glory days with Luther Vandross. This whole documentary had a "where are they now?" type feel to it. I was expecting a more upbeat film that showcased the craft of background and harmony singing. So, so many groups and individual session singers were excluded. Did they have to focus on Darlene Love so much? Merry Clayton was a pleasure to watch and listen to her story, but where was Cissy Houston and the Sweet Inspirations?

[skooldem1]

Marv, I didn't want to say it in my original post, but yeah, I was surprised at Lisa. She didn't look bad, in fact she reminded me of my aunt. But she was much different from her Luther/How can I ease the pain years. I know we all get older, but I was still surprised. I really enjoyed Merry. I also liked Tata. To be honest, they didn't need to focus so much on Darlene. I too was wondering where Cissy was. I was also kind of peeved that there was no mention of the Andantes. Then I realized. They were different. They were session/studio singers. The singers featured in this documentary were actually background singers on stage. Once I realized that I could see why the Andantes weren't featured.

[marv2]

Marv, I didn't want to say it in my original post, but yeah, I was surprised at Lisa. She didn't look bad, in fact she reminded me of my aunt. But she was much different from her Luther/How can I ease the pain years. I know we all get older, but I was still surprised. I really enjoyed Merry. I also liked Tata. To be honest, they didn't need to focus so much on Darlene. I too was wondering where Cissy was. I was also kind of peeved that there was no mention of the Andantes. Then I realized. They were different. They were session/studio singers. The singers featured in this documentary were actually background singers on stage. Once I realized that I could see why the Andantes weren't featured.

Lisa was just so gorgeous and made a great combination in the background with Ava Cherry when they sang with Luther. No she looks very average at best. Merry Clayton is/was a star in the background. She just never achieved the individual fame and name recognition as some others. Also missing besides the Andantes, were Philadelphia Internationals..." The Sweeties" with Carla Benson.

Cissy Houston should have been noted for her unique talent of creating and arranging some of the best background harmonies ever! Where were Stevie's "Wonderlove"? So many great, talented singers came out of that backing group that it was a crime not to give them some play in the film. It would have also been nice if they could have did a little more on all the great "lead" singers that were once background singers, i.e. Dionne Warwick, etc. Why were most of the background singers profiled female? There were many great male session singers as well.

[marv2]

Marv, I didn't want to say it in my original post, but yeah, I was surprised at Lisa. She didn't look bad, in fact she reminded me of my aunt. But she was much different from her Luther/How can I ease the pain years. I know we all get older, but I was still surprised. I really enjoyed Merry. I also liked Tata. To be honest, they didn't need to focus so much on Darlene. I too was wondering where Cissy was. I was also kind of peeved that there was no mention of the Andantes. Then I realized. They were different. They were session/studio singers. The singers featured in this documentary were actually background singers on stage. Once I realized that I could see why the Andantes weren't featured.

I really appreciated Bruce Springsteen's , Sting's and Stevie Wonder's involvement. I was kinda of sad about Tata Vega. She was/is and excellent singer lead and background and to hear her say that she had been cast aside after being told that she was too old and too fat to be promoted today was just ,well sad.

There is another pretty good documentary on NetFlix focusing on the regrouping of the Sweet Inspirations and the attempted comeback of the singer Pat Hodges. But it too made it clear that once a singer hits a certain age, it is hopeless to have success in the mainstream.

[rod_rick]

Marv, I didn't want to say it in my original post, but yeah, I was surprised at Lisa. She didn't look bad, in fact she reminded me of my aunt. But she was much different from her Luther/How can I ease the pain years. I know we all get older, but I was still surprised. I really enjoyed Merry. I also liked Tata. To be honest, they didn't need to focus so much on Darlene. I too was wondering where Cissy was. I was also kind of peeved that there was no mention of the Andantes. Then I realized. They were different. They were session/studio singers. The singers featured in this documentary were actually background singers on stage. Once I realized that I could see why the Andantes weren't featured.

Marv
I can see your point regarding Darlene but I think she was the catalyst for the docu-movie. I think it would have been a very long movie if they had included other back up and background singers like the Jones Girls, Perri, the Ridgeway Sisters Aretha's backing vocalist, Telma, Joyce, and Pam.

[jack020]

To see more of Lisa Fisher : watch the Tina Turner Live at Gelredome dvd from 2009 in which she is one of her 2 background singers.

[marv2]

Marv
I can see your point regarding Darlene but I think she was the catalyst for the docu-movie. I think it would have been a very long movie if they had included other back up and background singers like the Jones Girls, Perri, the Ridgeway Sisters Aretha's backing vocalist, Telma, Joyce, and Pam.

Rod_rick, I understand. Darlene is one of the more recognizable, but the ones you just listed here made me want to see a part 2! LOL! Perri were excellent singing with Anita Baker and on their own. I also now understand that the premise behind the film is that many of these very talented women never found major public success. I know there have been more than a few that began as background singers that went on to have successful careers of their own. Telma Hopkins is one good example.

[brother_love]

I personally spoke to Fanita about this issue. She told me that she remembers very clearly that the background vocals on DDRR were sung by Gloria Jones, Cher, Bobby Sheen, Gracia Nitzsche, Darlene Love and Fanita.
Darlene Love only sang He's A Rebel and He's Sure The Boy I love under The Crystals' name. She DID NOT nor did The Blossoms as a group, sing background on any Crystal song. Fanita James was the only member of The Blossoms to sing background on the DDRR.

[chemelr]

I personally spoke to Fanita about this issue. She told me that she remembers very clearly that the background vocals on DDRR were sung by Gloria Jones, Cher, Bobby Sheen, Gracia Nitzsche, Darlene Love and Fanita.

I am revisiting this thread today and it just cracks me up. You, brother_love, say that Fanita told you the above are the people who sang background on the DDRR. rrussi says that Dee Dee Kinniebrew and Barbara Alston say that they [[the other Crystals) sang background on the DDRR. Neither makes sense. Fanita says in an interview that she didn't know that Darlene Love DID NOT sing lead on the DDRR until 20 years later. What??? La La Brooks recalls Fanita with kindness when La La was there in LA laying down her track. What did Fanita think that La La was there for?

Why would stingy Phil Spector fly La La out to LA to record a track and then turn around and fly back to NYC to record the other Crystals as background? As stingy as he was, he would not have entertained such a thought. Phil Spector maintains that Cher, Fanita and Gracia sang background on the DDRR and research pretty well backs him up. Even Darlene Love herself stated on 17 Feb 2014, on CBS's This Morning, that her [[Darlene) voice IS NOT on the DDRR. My research that I provided to Darlene Love's publicist and lawyer is what made her state the truth as they wanted no controversies to mess up their chances to win an Oscar for a documentary. So maybe you need to refresh Fanita's memory with this information. I am not afraid of the truth. If Fanita can make a case that she clearly remembers the above people singing background, so be it. Just clue her in on the inconsistencies.

Don't get me wrong. I don't hate anyone. I love the truth. You see, I am a retired federal, criminal investigative special agent. I'm not saying that to impress you, I am saying this because I know how to separate things into what the truth is. I have 20 years of experience doing this so I know I can do the job. I have all the time in the world to do this. I may appear to be harsh in my writings - it is an old investigative technique since the time of Sherlock Holmes to rattle people and see what comes out. I'm not afraid of the truth - even if it goes against me.

[chemelr]

chemelr, what makes you so certain that you have the facts? And why would Phil have the final say on Da Doo Ron Ron? Just like the singers and musicians, couldn't he confuse one session with another? And, yes, I believe La La traveled to L.A. with a chaperone. She was only about 15 on the session for DDRR. She may have been able to fly on a plane without an adult, but a hotel? And I am sure on at least one trip out west to record, Kate Henry, Dee Dee's mother, went with her as she had told me about meeting Bertha, Phil's mother. And it is Kate who was responsible for bringing La La into the group when Myrna Gerard decided to leave. Kate worked at the school La La attended and had heard her sing.

Originally Posted by brother_love http://soulfuldetroit.com/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png [[http://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread.php?p=222500#post222500)
I personally spoke to Fanita about this issue. She told me that she remembers very clearly that the background vocals on DDRR were sung by Gloria Jones, Cher, Bobby Sheen, Gracia Nitzsche, Darlene Love and Fanita.


Randy Russi: Below is what I posted to brother_love and you can read that after this paragraph.

As Dee Dee Kinniebrew is to you, La La Brooks is to me. La La told me that Mrs Henry did NOT fly with her to LA. La La says she went by herself. I also bought and read Barbara's book. I love Barbara but she wrote that book as she needed the money. When I told La La of one particular story that Barbara wrote about, La La said that incident happened with her [[La La) and not with Barbara. Now think about this Randy - for this instance, ignore what I say. brother_love says he spoke with Fanita James and Fanita says the above people sang background on the DDRR. You through your conversations with Dee Dee say that the other Crystal members sang background. Does this make sense? To fly La La out to LA to record the lead track and then turn around and fly back to record the background with the other Crystals? Don't you believe, at that time The Crystals were still a group together on road trips, concerts and such, that Barbara and Dee Dee would have told La La about this? Phil is pretty stingy. But he was the top guy at Gold Star, why wouldn't he have final say? Who would out rank him? I have read every book that I could purchase along with DVD's and such about Phil. I believe Phil when he stated that Cher, Fanita and Gracia were the background singers to the DDRR. The next time you talk with Dee Dee, ask her about what Fanita had to say who the background singers are.

I am not trying to be mean or nasty. I will accept whatever the truth is as long as it can corroborated. You know La La to be a very deeply spiritual person. She has always told me the truth.


I am revisiting this thread today and it just cracks me up. You, brother_love, say that Fanita told you the above are the people who sang background on the DDRR. rrussi says that Dee Dee Kinniebrew and Barbara Alston say that they [[the other Crystals) sang background on the DDRR. Neither makes sense. Fanita says in an interview that she didn't know that Darlene Love DID NOT sing lead on the DDRR until 20 years later. What??? La La Brooks recalls Fanita with kindness when La La was there in LA laying down her track. What did Fanita think that La La was there for?

Why would stingy Phil Spector fly La La out to LA to record a track and then turn around and fly back to NYC to record the other Crystals as background? As stingy as he was, he would not have entertained such a thought. Phil Spector maintains that Cher, Fanita and Gracia sang background on the DDRR and research pretty well backs him up. Even Darlene Love herself stated on 17 Feb 2014, on CBS's This Morning, that her [[Darlene) voice IS NOT on the DDRR. My research that I provided to Darlene Love's publicist and lawyer is what made her state the truth as they wanted no controversies to mess up their chances to win an Oscar for a documentary. So maybe you need to refresh Fanita's memory with this information. I am not afraid of the truth. If Fanita can make a case that she clearly remembers the above people singing background, so be it. Just clue her in on the inconsistencies.

Don't get me wrong. I don't hate anyone. I love the truth. You see, I am a retired federal, criminal investigative special agent. I'm not saying that to impress you, I am saying this because I know how to separate things into what the truth is. I have 20 years of experience doing this so I know I can do the job. I have all the time in the world to do this. I may appear to be harsh in my writings - it is an old investigative technique since the time of Sherlock Holmes to rattle people and see what comes out. I'm not afraid of the truth - even if it goes against me.

[chemelr]

I wouldn't be surprised if chemelr is La La Brookes.

I am Roger Chemel and La La Brooks is who she says she is. Neither of us are afraid of the truth. How about you, can you handle the truth?