Dream Girls: The Pioneering Sound of 1960s Girl Groups'

In the early 1960s, a new kind of music was born - the sound of girl groups. These harmonious ensembles were made up of teenage girls who came together to sing and perform, often drawing from their backgrounds in church gospel music and high school glee clubs. The result was a unique blend of soul, rhythm and blues, pop, and 1950s doo-wop that captured the hearts of listeners across America.

As Jacqueline Warwick, author of 'Girl Groups, Girl Culture: Popular Music and Identity in the 1960's,' notes, girl groups were the female equivalent of doo-wop, with lead voices accompanied by backup harmonies. These groups often formed through friendships and shared interests, rather than being manufactured by record labels.

One of the most iconic girl groups was The Shirelles, who reached number one on the pop charts in 1961 with their hit single 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow?' That same year, Motown got its first pop hit with The Marvelettes' 'Please Mr. Postman.' These early successes paved the way for hundreds of girl groups to record songs during the decade.

The 1960s girl group phenomenon was not limited to just a few notable acts. Rather, it was a widespread cultural movement that changed American music forever. Girl groups like The Chantel's, who released their hit single 'Maybe' in 1958, were some of the first to gain commercial success. However, it was the later girl groups of the decade - such as The Supremes, The Ronettes, and Martha and the Vandellas - who truly captured the hearts of the public.

The movie Dreamgirls, released in 2006, tells the story of a small black record label and its star singers who achieve success on the pop charts. While loosely based on The Supremes, the film is a work of fiction. However, it has helped to renew interest in the girl groups of the 1960s, as well as Motown Records, which became one of the most influential labels of the time.

The legacy of the 1960s girl groups can still be felt today. Their music continues to influence contemporary pop and R&B artists, and their impact on American popular culture is undeniable. As Warwick notes, 'The real story of the 1960s girl groups is that they changed American music forever.

Dream girls