She Sang the #1 Hit. Another Group Got Credit.

For music lovers, from our sister group ‘More Music Por Favor’

She sang the number one hit. Someone else got the credit. For decades, one of the most powerful voices in American music history cleaned houses for a living — because the contract she signed left her with nothing.

In Episode 2 of More Music Por Favor Presents, host Marcus Reed tells the true story of Darlene Love: the session singer whose voice defined some of the most beloved records of the 1960s, whose name Phil Spector buried under other artists’ credits, and whose journey from scrubbing floors to standing on the Academy Awards stage represents one of music history’s most extraordinary — and overdue — acts of justice. Marcus explores the economics of session singing, the work-for-hire contracts that extracted the labor of Black women at industrial scale, and what Darlene Love’s story reveals about how the music industry was truly built.

From Merry Clayton’s midnight session for the Rolling Stones to the groundbreaking documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, this is the hidden architecture of pop.

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Curated Spotify Playlist of song’s mention this this podcast episode:

❇️”Gimme Shelter” — The Rolling Stones (1969)

Merry Clayton was summoned from bed around midnight by producer Jack Nitzsche. She arrived at the studio still in her hair curlers, approximately four months pregnant, and delivered her performance in just a few takes.

The Stones had actually tried to book Bonnie Bramlett first, but her husband refused to let her perform with them — so Clayton was the second choice who delivered one of the most iconic vocal performances in rock history.

Her name was misspelled “Mary” on the original release — her actual name is “Merry” because she was born on Christmas Day.

An added layer of tragedy: Clayton performed while pregnant and had a miscarriage shortly after returning home from the session.

❇️“He’s A Rebel” — Credited to The Crystals (1962)

Lead vocals: Darlene Love, with Edna Wright on co-lead during the chorus. Backing vocals: The Blossoms — Fanita James, Gracia Nitzsche, Gloria Jones — plus Bobby Sheen on high tenor harmony.

The Crystals weren’t even consulted on Spector’s decision to release the track under their name. Lead singer Barbara Alston couldn’t mimic Darlene Love’s style, so 15-year-old Dolores “LaLa” Brooks became the Crystals’ live lead singer the following year just to perform the song on tour.

❇️”You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” — The Righteous Brothers (1964)

The Blossoms — featuring Darlene Love — provided backing vocals throughout, with Cher joining in at the song’s climax.

Cher later confirmed this was the last Spector single she ever recorded on, noting: “I became part of the background on every Spector song.”

The Blossoms’ lineup on this session: Fanita James, Darlene Love, Gracia Nitzsche, Edna Wright, and Carolyn Willis.

❇️”Be My Baby” — The Ronettes (1963)

backup. Critically, Cher was a last-minute replacement — she showed up when another singer didn’t.

Cher later wrote: “I went out and stood in front of this big speaker and sang ‘be my, be my baby’ with the Ronettes and all these other singers.” Wikipedia It was her first professional recording. She was 17 and completely uncredited.

Also notable: Ronnie Spector was the only actual Ronette who appears on the record. Her sisters Estelle and Nedra were on tour.

— Darlene Love, Bobby Sheen, Sonny Bono, Nino Tempo, and a teenage Cher all sang backup. Critically, It was her first professional recording. She was 17 and completely uncredited.

More Music Por Favor Releases mentioned:

❇️Afro Groove Nexus — “**The Groove Already Knows”** — Deep Afro House / Amapiano Soul Fusion

❇️Chill Jazz Drift - “**Make the Darkness Gold**” — lo-fi jazzhop fusion

❇️Hallelujah Haven — “**Held in the Quiet**” — Contemporary Christian worship

❇️Club Immersion — “**Between the Noise and Nothing**”- Progressive Trance