TOUR NOTES BIOGRAPHIES
The Bobettes
Hailing from New York’s Harlem, this quintet of female singers were the first female group to have a top ten hit and a number one R&B record. Originally named "The Harlem Queens", manager James Daily changed their name to "The Bobettes".
Signed with Atlantic Records, The Bobettes would write ten of their first eighteen recorded songs including the legendary, "Mr. Lee", written about their high school teacher. The original song was supposed to be a put-down about their hated teacher, but Atlantic decided to change the lyrics to make it more commercially viable. In 1959, The Bobbettes recorded another song about Mr. Lee, titled "I Shot Mr. Lee", a song which discussed their true feelings about Mr. Lee. Atlantic shelved the song in favour of a sweeter song that failed to chart.
After leaving Atlantic, The Bobettes singed with Triple X and released, "I Shot Mr. Lee". The song rose to the top of the charts, forcing Atlantic to release the original version.
Other songs recorded by The Bobettes include Domino’s "Have Mercy Baby", Eddie Fisher’s, "Oh My Papa" and the old standard "Teach Me Tonight". Their last charted song was titled, "I Don’t Like It Like That".
Despite never achieving the success of "Mr. Lee" and "I Shot Mr. Lee", The Bobettes continued to perform through the 70’s oldies revival, touring England and the U.S.A.
Read more on The Bobbettes at: www.history-of-rock.com/bobbettes.htm.
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