Circa 1957 (from top left) Fanita Barrett, Gloria Jones, Annette Williams and Nanette Williams.
The Blossoms were formed in 1954 and comprised of (at varying stages):
Fanita Barrett (later James)
Gloria Jones (b. 12th September 1938, Long View, Texas, U.S.A.)
Jean Louise King (12th October 1938, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. d. 28th March 1983, Las Vegas, U.S.A.)
Jewel Cobbs
Pat Howard
Darlene Love (b. Darlene Wright, 26th July 1938, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.)
along with twin sisters Nanette Williams (later Jackson)
and Annette Williams.
The Blossoms career began at the Fremont High School, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. in 1954, as the group the Dreamers.
During 1954, they recorded for the Flair Records imprint.
The following year they recorded as Richard Berry's backing group.
Darlene Wright (b. 26th July 1938, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.), then replaced Nanette Williams and by 1957 the quartet were re-named the Blossoms.
Darlene was later to take the name Darlene Love.
The group released songs on the Capitol (1957-58) and Challenge (1961-62) labels.
left to right: Jean King, Darlene Love & Fanita James
The Blossoms also undertook session work for the artist Duane Eddy at the time.
They, also, recorded several one-off singles under the different names of 'the Coeds' And 'The Playgirls'.
Darlene Love and Fanita James were also members of Bob B. Soxx (Bobby Sheen) And The Blue Jeans, a trio that worked with Phil Spector.
Phil Spector utilised Darlene Love under her own name and as part of the Crystals.
The Blossoms , at this time, had one pop chart entry in 1961 with 'Son-In-Law,' an answer record to the late Ernie K-Doe's hit 'Mother-In-Law.'
The Blossoms became a permanent fixture on the pop music television series 'Shindig' show.
By 1965, the group had been reduced to a trio of Darlene Love, Fanita James and Jean King.
At this time they recorded for the Challenge imprint.In 1967, they scored an R & B singles chart entry with 'Good, Good Lovin'.
The line-up underwent several further changes.
Edna Wright (Darlene's sister) and Grazia Nitzsche were also members of the Blossoms.
Edna Wright
They recorded for various labels at the time including Ode in 1967, Bell between 1969-70 and Lion in 1972.
In 1972, the Blossoms recorded the album 'Shockwave' for MGM Records.
The Blossoms recorded for Reprise during the early seventies.
Here they released 'That's When The Tears Start'.
Darlene Love then left to pursue a solo career.
Of the other ex-members, Gloria Jones and Jackson formed the Girlfriends with Carolyn Willis.
Gloria Jones later recorded the original version of 'Tainted Love', which later became a UK number 1 hit in 1981 for Soft Cell, and was married to the rock singer and performer Marc Bolan.
Carolyn Willis subsequently joined Edna Wright in the Honey Cone.
Fanita James, meanwhile, continued to lead the Blossoms during the 80's.
Jean King remained with the group until she sadly died of a heart attack in Las Vegas in March 1983.
...check this website for further information...
Albums:
Shockwave (MGM 1972)
