Born Darlene Wright in Los Angeles in 1938, she began her career as lead singer with the vocal trio, The Blossoms. After a spell as regulars on ABC TV's variety show Shindig! (1964) in the early 60s, the trio went on to sing backup on a variety of Elvis Presley recordings, and even backed him on his 1968 NBC-TV special Elvis: The Comeback Special (1968). For a while, they backed Tom Jones during some of his Las Vegas shows. The Blossoms have the rare distinction of recording a number one hit without ever receiving any credit. Years before the advent of Milli Vanilli, Darlene Love, Fanita James and Gracie Nitzsche sang vocals on the Gene Pitney-penned song "He's a Rebel" that was championed as The Crystals' first (and only) No. 1 US hit. Because of confounding logistics, record producer Phil Spector had to use The Blossoms because The Crystals were on the wrong coast of the US at the time. And since he was up against the clock in L.A. attempting to get his production on the airwaves before the Vikki Carr version, he had no choice. Love also sang vocals on the Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans top twenty hit "Zip-a-Dee Doo Dah".
Filmography (36)
The 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade2025
Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple2024
Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley2024
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular2024
Spector2022
Sherri2022
The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two2020
Holiday Rush2019
Sweet Daddy Siki2017
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert2015
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2014
20 Feet from Stardom2013
New Girl2011
The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts2009
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