Originally Posted by
randy_russi
I have only heard Darlene tell that story, not Spector himself. Either way, it is NOT her on the record and she should stop
giving the impression that it is.
You know, she is a great talent, but she gets a lot of credit for the work of others--He's A Rebel was a Crystals record,
which they promoted on the road, radio, etc. to get a hit. She did the studio work, which she told Phil she wanted
triple scale for, and that was it. Just like a musician on the record, once it was completed, that was it for her.
Yet she is taking so much credit for that record today and has been for many years. Meanwhile, the Crystals with
the much more than capable voice of La La Brooks, promoted the record and its follow-up, He's Sure The Boy I Love,
which also featured Darlene. She wasn't one of them and didn't meet them until posing for the Christmas lp photo
in NYC.
Again, I love Darlene, but she's getting so much credit for the hard work of several others. Phil used her on the
Rebel sessiion because he knew the song had been recorded by Vicki Carr on Liberty and was in a rush to get his
recorded and pressed. The Vicki Carr single actually charted first.
Anyway, the Crystals were in NY and Phil wanted to record quickly in L.A. so he used Darlene and the Blossoms.
Why the Crystals name? Because they had just had two big hits were now an established name.
Darlene has only had three charting singles under her own name and they weren't even top ten hits.
I think the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame really needs to consider the Crystals for induction.
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