Doo Wop Pop
The Song “Chapel of Love” was written by the prolific trio of Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector. Although The Blossoms had originally recorded in April 1963, it was never released. The Dixie Cups had a big hit with it a year later, when their version of “Chapel of Love” went to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #1 in Canada, and #22 in the U.K. The cover by The Dixie Cups was the debut release of Red Bird Records, which combined the production and business talentsof Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, and George Goldner. At the time in 1964, The Beatles were taking over the U.S. charts, but “Chapel of Love” took them out of the #1 spot for a little bit. American R&B was going strong. The version by The Dixie Cups sold more than one million copies and earned an RIAA gold record. The song is on Rolling Stone’s list of The “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” There have been numerous covers, including ones by Bette Midler, The Beach Boys, The Ronettes, and Elton John. The Dixie Cups were from New Orleans and the group consisted of were Barbara Ann and Rosa Lee Hawkins as well as their cousin Joan Marie Johnson.
