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But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?: An Oral History of the ’60s Girl Groups
Featuring over 300 hours of new interviews with 100+ subjects, But Will You Love Me Tomorrow? is an oral history of the girl groups that redefined the early 1960s.
The girl group sound made famous and unforgettable by acts like The Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Supremes, and The Vandellas, took over the airwaves by capturing the mixture of innocence and rebellion emblematic of America in the 1960s.
As songs like "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "Then He Kissed Me," and "Be My Baby" rose to the top of the charts, girl groups cornered the burgeoning post-war market of teenage rock and roll fans, indelibly shaping the trajectory of pop music in the process. While the songs are essential to the American canon, many of the artists remain all but anonymous to most listeners.
Featuring more than one hundred interviews with those who made the music, from singers and songwriters to their agents, managers, and sound engineers—and even to the present-day celebrities inspired by their lasting influence—But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?: An Oral History of the ’60s Girl Groups tells a national coming-of-age story that gives particular insight into the experiences of the female singers and songwriters who created the movement and changed American culture.
The girl group sound made famous and unforgettable by acts like The Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Supremes, and The Vandellas, took over the airwaves by capturing the mixture of innocence and rebellion emblematic of America in the 1960s.
As songs like "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "Then He Kissed Me," and "Be My Baby" rose to the top of the charts, girl groups cornered the burgeoning post-war market of teenage rock and roll fans, indelibly shaping the trajectory of pop music in the process. While the songs are essential to the American canon, many of the artists remain all but anonymous to most listeners.
Featuring more than one hundred interviews with those who made the music, from singers and songwriters to their agents, managers, and sound engineers—and even to the present-day celebrities inspired by their lasting influence—But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?: An Oral History of the ’60s Girl Groups tells a national coming-of-age story that gives particular insight into the experiences of the female singers and songwriters who created the movement and changed American culture.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2023
72 people are currently reading
3958 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
May 24, 2023
I received a kindle copy of this book from NetGalley. I was excited to read this book about girl groups since I grew up listening to this wonderful music. I like the fact that the authors took four years to put this book together and interviewed a lot of the "girl singers from these groups. It was interesting to read about so many of the girl groups, how they got together. I liked reading about some of the famous songs they recorded. So many of the singers were only teenagers when they started. I was glad to read the interviews to hear their experience in the groups, how they got along, some were sisters, like sisters. This book writes of the good and bad times.
It was fun for me to play some of their songs while reading this book.
The authors interviews a lot of these ladies so we get to hear them recall how it was like for them the good and the bad times. I was glad to get a chance to read this well done book. I would give this book a 4.5.
It was fun for me to play some of their songs while reading this book.
The authors interviews a lot of these ladies so we get to hear them recall how it was like for them the good and the bad times. I was glad to get a chance to read this well done book. I would give this book a 4.5.
May 20, 2024
yes, I will
July 23, 2023
For this and all my other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
I’ve mentioned it before, but when I was a teenager, I was a disc jockey for not only my high school radio station, but real-life radio stations in Northeastern Wisconsin. I grew up surrounded by 8 other people in my house, each with their own musical tastes. I absorbed them all. As a former DJ, I also have a love of the history of music. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I knew I had to read it. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I’m torn about this book, because it was not quite what I was expecting. The format is literally a name featured then a quote. There’s no narrative to weave the story together, just a book full of quotes from a vast variety of voices to paint a picture of the days when girl groups almost dominated the charts. However, once I got used to the format, it was surprisingly a fairly quick read, and I learned a lot.
Many of the girl groups were just that, teenagers or young women who had no idea what they were getting into, just that they liked to sing. Not only did they sing many huge hits, but they were also taken advantage of by the managers and record labels. Many basically signed away their rights and were paid a pittance, never receiving royalties as is common these days. And many of the girl groups, when they went on tour, were sequestered to their hotel rooms so they didn’t mingle with the boy groups also on tour. Somehow, the girls found a way, anyhow.
I was also interested in learning more about the payola scandal, where record labels paid DJs to play their records. One person said everyone was on the take, including the famed Dick Clark, who got away with it somehow. And the history of the Brill Building and similar set-ups, where songwriters like Leiber & Stoller and Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, Carole King, Neil Sedaka & Neil Diamond wrote songs for various groups. I’m a big fan of that era music, and found the personal stories about some of my favorite songwriters very interesting. There’s a whole section on the history of Motown and the influence of the black female artists like The Supremes.
Overall, this is a very strong book that talks about a previously unexplored part of rock ‘n’ roll’s history. I highly recommend it to music buffs!
I’ve mentioned it before, but when I was a teenager, I was a disc jockey for not only my high school radio station, but real-life radio stations in Northeastern Wisconsin. I grew up surrounded by 8 other people in my house, each with their own musical tastes. I absorbed them all. As a former DJ, I also have a love of the history of music. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I knew I had to read it. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I’m torn about this book, because it was not quite what I was expecting. The format is literally a name featured then a quote. There’s no narrative to weave the story together, just a book full of quotes from a vast variety of voices to paint a picture of the days when girl groups almost dominated the charts. However, once I got used to the format, it was surprisingly a fairly quick read, and I learned a lot.
Many of the girl groups were just that, teenagers or young women who had no idea what they were getting into, just that they liked to sing. Not only did they sing many huge hits, but they were also taken advantage of by the managers and record labels. Many basically signed away their rights and were paid a pittance, never receiving royalties as is common these days. And many of the girl groups, when they went on tour, were sequestered to their hotel rooms so they didn’t mingle with the boy groups also on tour. Somehow, the girls found a way, anyhow.
I was also interested in learning more about the payola scandal, where record labels paid DJs to play their records. One person said everyone was on the take, including the famed Dick Clark, who got away with it somehow. And the history of the Brill Building and similar set-ups, where songwriters like Leiber & Stoller and Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, Carole King, Neil Sedaka & Neil Diamond wrote songs for various groups. I’m a big fan of that era music, and found the personal stories about some of my favorite songwriters very interesting. There’s a whole section on the history of Motown and the influence of the black female artists like The Supremes.
Overall, this is a very strong book that talks about a previously unexplored part of rock ‘n’ roll’s history. I highly recommend it to music buffs!
November 17, 2023
Book 49 of 2023 - ✅! Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Flam, Emily Sieu Liebowitz & Hachette Books for an ARC of But Will You Love Me Tomorrow? An Oral History of the ‘60s Girl Groups, in exchange for my honest review.
This is one of the first books I downloaded on NetGalley, as I was immediately drawn to the title. As a lover of music, and Motown specifically, I knew I was in the target audience for this book. From the introduction/authors’ note at the beginning, I had a feeling I was going to enjoy it, as Flam & Sieu Liebowitz are self-aware of their own identities and who should be telling these stories. The authors present the interviews as they were conducted, quite literally, so they could be told in the own voices of the interview subjects - they have taken and transcribed the interviews and had phenomenal readers/voice over artists to bring these interviews to life. For those who have read books by James Andrew Miller, Flam & Sieu Liebowitz have a very similar style in how they present interviews and information. The interviewees are incredible: from various members of The Vandellas, The Supremes, The Ronettes, to Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Joel & Cher (just to name a few) - the authors did an amazing deep dive into the groups that were so influential, yet so under-appreciated as the years have gone by.
If you can get your hands on an audiobook copy, I highly recommend taking in the book that way - it adds another layer to this already compelling book.
4.5/5 ⭐️, rounded up to 5 ! 🎶 🎙️ 🎵
#ButWillYouLoveMeTomorrowBook #NetGalley
This is one of the first books I downloaded on NetGalley, as I was immediately drawn to the title. As a lover of music, and Motown specifically, I knew I was in the target audience for this book. From the introduction/authors’ note at the beginning, I had a feeling I was going to enjoy it, as Flam & Sieu Liebowitz are self-aware of their own identities and who should be telling these stories. The authors present the interviews as they were conducted, quite literally, so they could be told in the own voices of the interview subjects - they have taken and transcribed the interviews and had phenomenal readers/voice over artists to bring these interviews to life. For those who have read books by James Andrew Miller, Flam & Sieu Liebowitz have a very similar style in how they present interviews and information. The interviewees are incredible: from various members of The Vandellas, The Supremes, The Ronettes, to Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Joel & Cher (just to name a few) - the authors did an amazing deep dive into the groups that were so influential, yet so under-appreciated as the years have gone by.
If you can get your hands on an audiobook copy, I highly recommend taking in the book that way - it adds another layer to this already compelling book.
4.5/5 ⭐️, rounded up to 5 ! 🎶 🎙️ 🎵
#ButWillYouLoveMeTomorrowBook #NetGalley
April 12, 2023
I absolutely love the music of these girl groups, and must confess I'm one of those people who recognizes the songs but doesn't remember the group names. And I am saddened to realize that even those who grew up with the music seldom give credit or remembrance to the amazing women whose voices made the songs popular!
The authors choose to tell the stories in the voices of the women who sang the songs. Well deserved recognition!
And as the authors explain, "maybe even the girl group sound itself [is] at risk of erasure from the canon of pop music history. Even when remembered, the genre as a whole is often dismissed."
I hope readers of this book take time to appreciate the beautiful songs and powerful stories of the women who perfected the girl group sound. And maybe listen to a song or two. And thank the women who made it possible.
The authors choose to tell the stories in the voices of the women who sang the songs. Well deserved recognition!
And as the authors explain, "maybe even the girl group sound itself [is] at risk of erasure from the canon of pop music history. Even when remembered, the genre as a whole is often dismissed."
I hope readers of this book take time to appreciate the beautiful songs and powerful stories of the women who perfected the girl group sound. And maybe listen to a song or two. And thank the women who made it possible.
November 5, 2023
Great subject, mid execution
I was so thrilled with the first few chapters of this book but as it went on, I was disappointed with how shallow it was. The authors chose breadth over depth, and I wanted the latter. I wish they had chosen fewer groups. Maybe one that didn't make it huge, one that did, and then some of the female singers of the era like Carole King and go into how they all interacted. But I did get a hell of a Spotify playlist out of it.
I was so thrilled with the first few chapters of this book but as it went on, I was disappointed with how shallow it was. The authors chose breadth over depth, and I wanted the latter. I wish they had chosen fewer groups. Maybe one that didn't make it huge, one that did, and then some of the female singers of the era like Carole King and go into how they all interacted. But I did get a hell of a Spotify playlist out of it.
April 9, 2023
A little long but super interesting, especially if you like the oral history format (which I do!).
February 26, 2024
You know the melodies, the tunes, the lyrics, the remixes because you have heard them, and you do hear them everywhere: the radio, piped-in in stores, online, e-media, movies … Sometimes it’s just the music, sometimes it's the music and the lyrics. There is a certain brightness, rhythm, saucy innuendo in the lyrics or titles, and often some irreverence in the vocal interpretation by those female singers, all in harmony, singing those unforgettable songs. The book's title is the title of a song, "But will you love me tomorrow?" which was controversial in its day, 1961, because it raised all kinds of questions about what a girl and boy were doing that night, and would the girl get some respect the next day.
It was a pop genre that became known as “the girl group” that existed from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. That era was on the cusp of social, sexual and political upheaval, and the lyrics and singers reflected what was about to drastically change. At the time, the term “girls” was not pejorative because some of the singers were as young as 12 years old, and it was a sign of the times to refer to women as girls. The singers were not known necessarily as individuals, but as part of a group, wherein other girl singers could easily replace those in the group. As now, there were many wannabes. The accolades and individual recognitions went to the songwriters and producers.
Laura Flam and Emily Sieu Liebowitz have compiled over 100 oral interviews which they did between 2019 and 2022, with individual singers, songwriters, agents, managers and others. Their coverage was selective, but for "an incredible and meticulous listing of groups of the era," they recommend Girls Groups: fabulous females who rocked the world. Their book begins with the heyday of the girl groups, then works through the later 1960s, the 1970s and up to the present because the genre was far reaching in its influence. There is nostalgia in remembering the songs, but there is reality as to what it was like to be part of what could be a back-up group but was more often than not, a featured singing group. And, in their remembrances many of the singers talk about encounters with other singers and musicians, who at the time, were in their own early stages of becoming well known. There are anecdotes about competition, backstage antics, temper tantrums, verbal and physical fights, money for performances and promised money for future trust funds, arguments about musical arrangements, clothes, hair and make-up. The authors include numerous pages of black and white photographs (many appear to be carefully staged PR snaps), a lengthy bibliography and a rich index. All of this might make you want to hear all of those songs again, in their original versions from those original girls, and maybe just get up and dance.
A poignant, timely reminder was the reported death, last Friday, of Mary Weiss, who was 75 years old. In her recordings with the girl group, the Shangri-Las, she will live on, forever young and rebellious, with one of their songs, “The Leader of the Pack,” that was the top Billboard single of 1965.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction
It was a pop genre that became known as “the girl group” that existed from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. That era was on the cusp of social, sexual and political upheaval, and the lyrics and singers reflected what was about to drastically change. At the time, the term “girls” was not pejorative because some of the singers were as young as 12 years old, and it was a sign of the times to refer to women as girls. The singers were not known necessarily as individuals, but as part of a group, wherein other girl singers could easily replace those in the group. As now, there were many wannabes. The accolades and individual recognitions went to the songwriters and producers.
Laura Flam and Emily Sieu Liebowitz have compiled over 100 oral interviews which they did between 2019 and 2022, with individual singers, songwriters, agents, managers and others. Their coverage was selective, but for "an incredible and meticulous listing of groups of the era," they recommend Girls Groups: fabulous females who rocked the world. Their book begins with the heyday of the girl groups, then works through the later 1960s, the 1970s and up to the present because the genre was far reaching in its influence. There is nostalgia in remembering the songs, but there is reality as to what it was like to be part of what could be a back-up group but was more often than not, a featured singing group. And, in their remembrances many of the singers talk about encounters with other singers and musicians, who at the time, were in their own early stages of becoming well known. There are anecdotes about competition, backstage antics, temper tantrums, verbal and physical fights, money for performances and promised money for future trust funds, arguments about musical arrangements, clothes, hair and make-up. The authors include numerous pages of black and white photographs (many appear to be carefully staged PR snaps), a lengthy bibliography and a rich index. All of this might make you want to hear all of those songs again, in their original versions from those original girls, and maybe just get up and dance.
A poignant, timely reminder was the reported death, last Friday, of Mary Weiss, who was 75 years old. In her recordings with the girl group, the Shangri-Las, she will live on, forever young and rebellious, with one of their songs, “The Leader of the Pack,” that was the top Billboard single of 1965.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction
March 18, 2024
I LOVE the girl groups of the 1960s. I grew up listening to them almost daily because my mom only listened to oldies, and movies like Sister Act and Dirty Dancing and Now and Then were in constant rotation at our house. This music was a given; I didn't think about how it came to be or what happened to the women who sang the songs. But as an adult I developed a natural curiosity, and this book satisfied that.
It is amazing and sad how many of these women were taken advantage of and lost the rights to their own fame. The groups endured physical and mental abuse, were taken advantage of financially, were sometimes pitted against each other and in some cases lost the legal right to identify themselves with the group they helped start. In spite of all the heartache and hardship, the music endures.
I love oral histories because we hear the stories from the voices of the people involved. Throughout my reading I searched for performance videos on youtube and photos to bring the stories to life. It is a great platform to doing further research on each of the profiled groups.
It is amazing and sad how many of these women were taken advantage of and lost the rights to their own fame. The groups endured physical and mental abuse, were taken advantage of financially, were sometimes pitted against each other and in some cases lost the legal right to identify themselves with the group they helped start. In spite of all the heartache and hardship, the music endures.
I love oral histories because we hear the stories from the voices of the people involved. Throughout my reading I searched for performance videos on youtube and photos to bring the stories to life. It is a great platform to doing further research on each of the profiled groups.
November 2, 2023
This book took me longer to read than usual. It was interesting but written in an interview style where people were telling of their experiences in the music world of the late 1950s through the 1960s. I had to go back occasionally and check the name of the person and not just read the paragraph. I supplemented my reading with YouTube videos of these girl groups performing years ago. This book is an informative read if you enjoy learning more about the history of the music industry. I was also glad to learn that a large number of these performers lived long enough to tell their stories for this book.
November 5, 2023
Kind of an odd book. No evident editing, but quoted material from members of “girl groups” and some song writers and musicians who worked with them in 1950s an ‘60s.
A few interesting bits, and some recollections regarding singers being “robbed” by managers and others of royalties.
Sometimes references to people were not clear - a bit of editorial work would have improved the book.
A few interesting bits, and some recollections regarding singers being “robbed” by managers and others of royalties.
Sometimes references to people were not clear - a bit of editorial work would have improved the book.
December 24, 2023
Just a terribly unpleasant way to format the book, having it just be quote after quote with zero context or analysis! I hated that they didn’t even use bracketed names or something to make things clearer. Such a waste of good content.
Highly recommend The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal by Mark Ribowsky instead.
Highly recommend The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal by Mark Ribowsky instead.
October 19, 2023
Very disorganized. Many quotes from people involved in early girl group music, but many, even most of them were from obscure people and groups. Some are interesting but many not.
December 28, 2024
Let me start by saying that this book is a oral history of the popular singing girl groups of the 50’s and 60’s. It tells the story of the rise of the girl groups and then takes you through their lives. It also shows you how they were taken advantage of by their managers in regards to contracts and royalties.
March 2, 2024
My dad typically had the radio dial in the car tuned to WCBS, so I grew up listening to a lot of these bands. This was fun to read — but also heartbreaking to read as a woman with opportunities in 2024 that are easy to take for granted. As the authors tell us in the intro: “The very youthfulness and innocence essential to the girl group sound also left these young women particularly vulnerable to be used, as women often are, to serve the purposes of the powerful.” There are moments of joy — these bands toured the UK before the Beatles came to the states, and John Lennon was a huge fan of the Ronettes, telling them they were “just fucking great” — but also plenty of heartbreak, tragedy, and disillusion. Darlene Love put all the work in to rehearse and learn “River Deep - Mountain High” with the studio musicians and background singers, only to show up at the studio and discover Phil Spector invited Tina Turner there to record it instead. This is rich with the experiences of the singers, writers, producers, musicians of the era.
March 31, 2024
Interesting history of female musicians who don't get as much notice as they should. The stories are rich though it would help if each chapter had a summary or introduction. This would help the reader follow along more easily.
July 25, 2023
Hachette Books provided an early galley for review.
Even though I was barely forming my musical tastes as a child in the late 60's, the songs and harmonies of the girl groups were ever present on the radio. Their sounds take me back instantly to a time of simple, carefree fun. I just want to smile and sing along even all these decades later.
As I have seen with other music-related books in recent years, the authors weave their interview responses into a flowing narrative. This is what I liken very much to a "talking heads documentary" style of narration. For me, I find that it works very well for subject matters such as this one. I was also very pleased to see the wide variety of people who contributed to the discussions. While I expected, of course, the members of the groups themselves, I was also surprised by the other musicians, songwriters and more who added to the mosaic conversation.
The author covers all the ups and downs, the rise of stars and the falls of acts that broke up. It touches on the triumphs and the tragedies. And that is exactly what I want in a good music book - the covering of all the bases with no sugar-coating.
Even though I was barely forming my musical tastes as a child in the late 60's, the songs and harmonies of the girl groups were ever present on the radio. Their sounds take me back instantly to a time of simple, carefree fun. I just want to smile and sing along even all these decades later.
As I have seen with other music-related books in recent years, the authors weave their interview responses into a flowing narrative. This is what I liken very much to a "talking heads documentary" style of narration. For me, I find that it works very well for subject matters such as this one. I was also very pleased to see the wide variety of people who contributed to the discussions. While I expected, of course, the members of the groups themselves, I was also surprised by the other musicians, songwriters and more who added to the mosaic conversation.
The author covers all the ups and downs, the rise of stars and the falls of acts that broke up. It touches on the triumphs and the tragedies. And that is exactly what I want in a good music book - the covering of all the bases with no sugar-coating.
June 18, 2023
Special thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for allowing me to read a pre-released edition of this book.
This is really difficult for me to rate/review because I’ve never read anything like this before. But as an avid lover of 50s/60s music, the title immediately had me intrigued. The description of the book was a little misleading - I wasn’t expecting just non-stop interviews; maybe I was expecting more of a memoir-type layout, I’m not really even sure. I just know it was a little difficult to get into and that the timelines were a little confusing to follow. But overall, I learned A LOT about the faces behind the tracks I’ve loved since my grandparents first introduced me to them. Not to mention a lot of the good, the bad, and the ugly side of the music industry that paved the way for the future. The authors appeared to take a lot of care in obtaining factual information that would not defame anyone or disrespect anyone, while still putting the truth out there. For being the first type of historical book like this that I’ve ever read, it was intriguing enough that I would pick up another of its kind so 3 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is really difficult for me to rate/review because I’ve never read anything like this before. But as an avid lover of 50s/60s music, the title immediately had me intrigued. The description of the book was a little misleading - I wasn’t expecting just non-stop interviews; maybe I was expecting more of a memoir-type layout, I’m not really even sure. I just know it was a little difficult to get into and that the timelines were a little confusing to follow. But overall, I learned A LOT about the faces behind the tracks I’ve loved since my grandparents first introduced me to them. Not to mention a lot of the good, the bad, and the ugly side of the music industry that paved the way for the future. The authors appeared to take a lot of care in obtaining factual information that would not defame anyone or disrespect anyone, while still putting the truth out there. For being the first type of historical book like this that I’ve ever read, it was intriguing enough that I would pick up another of its kind so 3 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 2, 2023
I absolutely loved this book - it's the perfect mix of music history and old school tea. Getting the behind the scenes and listening to the music alongside reading was such a fun experience. There were a few groups I had never heard of and seeing the interconnections with Cher, Marvin Gaye and others was a delight. I want someone to create a music geographical map because the interconnections are wild! Like folks just happened to grow up together/live down the block and get famous together. It was also really sad to see how many of these women were cheated from royalties and recognition, suffered mental collapse, or ended up broke.
I want to read more music memoirs and behind the scenes books like this and am open to all recommendations. First up a Diana Ross one because she was messy and opportunistic but she got what she came for. I also just want to talk about some of these happenings with people because there were revelations, heartbreaks, and shade all up and through this book. Highly recommend if you're a music fan.
I want to read more music memoirs and behind the scenes books like this and am open to all recommendations. First up a Diana Ross one because she was messy and opportunistic but she got what she came for. I also just want to talk about some of these happenings with people because there were revelations, heartbreaks, and shade all up and through this book. Highly recommend if you're a music fan.
April 16, 2023
I absolutely LOVED this book and I’m so glad it exists. As a music lover and maker, this area of music history is sooo under-taught and “unsung”, despite just how important all of these Women, especially Black Women, were to the foundation of R&B, Rock and Roll and popular music in general. But Will You Love Me Tomorrow was very respectfully and thoughtfully organized and allowed for so many people to tell their sides of the story. I especially appreciated the chapter dedicated to telling Florence Ballard’s story because she was so misunderstood.
Some Triggers to be aware of for potentially sensitive readers: Racism, Sexual abuse, addiction, mental illness, ED
Also: I’ve made a companion playlist on Spotify. This has all the songs mentioned in the book in the order in which they’re mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/44J...
Some Triggers to be aware of for potentially sensitive readers: Racism, Sexual abuse, addiction, mental illness, ED
Also: I’ve made a companion playlist on Spotify. This has all the songs mentioned in the book in the order in which they’re mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/44J...
November 4, 2023
Incomplete (how could it not be?) with no context or historical overview. Fine for what it is, focusing on the exploitation of young women by the music industry (as was most everybody) and the internecine conflicts within the groups. Through the lens and words of talented and brave singers and musicians (mostly Black) the book provides an interesting peep at America between 1958 and 1970.
May 26, 2025
Was this published without an editor? It's just notes. My eyes were crossing by chapter 3 and I gave up on 4. This truly feels like reading comments on a social media post. What a waste of thousands of hours of interviews. Kudos to whomever uses this to write a real book.
January 20, 2024
Delivered with minimal editorializing, this oral history will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the Bobbettes, the Clickettes, the Shirelles, the Chiffons, the Chantelles, the Cookies, the Crystals, the Ronettes, the Marvelettes, the Blossoms, the Shangri Las, the Vandellas, the Andantes, the Supremes, and countless other girl groups of the 60s. It also offers the perspectives of the songwriters, managers, musicians, and producers who helped launch them into stardom.
This was really long, but also fascinating for any pop music fan. A few things I learned: These truly were girl groups, with many of the members only in junior high or high school when they started recording. (Sadly, that also made them more prone to exploitation.) Everyone in the girl group world of that era seemed to think Phil Spector was plenty creepy, and Diana Ross wouldn't have won a lot of popularity contests either. The first actual money that many of these singers earned came either in the 70s, when they joined oldies performing circuits, or in the 80s, when their songs started being featured in movies like The Big Chill and Dirty Dancing. (Of course, the trick to tapping this income stream was finding a lawyer who wouldn't take a 50% cut for himself for going after their royalty money.)
Ultimately, I thought But Will You Love Me Tomorrow? offered an exhaustive but nicely balanced picture of the 60s girl-group phenomenon. Some of these performers fared reasonably well. Others ended up at loose ends or on welfare. Some groups self-destructed through in-fighting. Others remained lifelong friends. And on and on...Although I might have preferred a more synthesized and editorialized delivery of the content, I can appreciate the value of hearing from the women who lived it, in their own voices. The book was a little like watching a pop music documentary in that respect.
This was really long, but also fascinating for any pop music fan. A few things I learned: These truly were girl groups, with many of the members only in junior high or high school when they started recording. (Sadly, that also made them more prone to exploitation.) Everyone in the girl group world of that era seemed to think Phil Spector was plenty creepy, and Diana Ross wouldn't have won a lot of popularity contests either. The first actual money that many of these singers earned came either in the 70s, when they joined oldies performing circuits, or in the 80s, when their songs started being featured in movies like The Big Chill and Dirty Dancing. (Of course, the trick to tapping this income stream was finding a lawyer who wouldn't take a 50% cut for himself for going after their royalty money.)
Ultimately, I thought But Will You Love Me Tomorrow? offered an exhaustive but nicely balanced picture of the 60s girl-group phenomenon. Some of these performers fared reasonably well. Others ended up at loose ends or on welfare. Some groups self-destructed through in-fighting. Others remained lifelong friends. And on and on...Although I might have preferred a more synthesized and editorialized delivery of the content, I can appreciate the value of hearing from the women who lived it, in their own voices. The book was a little like watching a pop music documentary in that respect.
September 9, 2025
A very enjoyable oral history of the early pop, mostly Black "girl groups" of the late 50s/early 60s (The Shirelles, The Crystals, The Ronettes, The Marvelettes, The Supremes, The Dixie Cups, etc), and, adjacently, the rise of both Motown and the California music scene. It is like a snapshot of American culture from 60 years ago - both the good and the bad.
There isn't a lot of juicy drama or tea being spilled - there are plenty of books that cover the more dramatic aspects of pretty much every artist/producer/etc here, so if you're looking for that, you won't find it here.
I thought it very interesting that, in and amongst the other pieces of Motown's star-making factory, there was a professional finishing school that all of the girls had to attend, to learn how to be proper and classy ladies, to keep up Motown's squeaky-clean image and appeal to white people. Meanwhile, Jim Crow ran rampant in the south...
Pretty much everyone here got screwed out of their rights and the money they actually earned as performers, which is just rage-inducing. And we know from high-profile cases today (like Taylor Swift and Kesha) that it's basically same shit, different decade. Also, supposedly "genius" men are allowed to get away with anything because of their genius, which is also rage-inducing. I side-eyed so many of the the men who were interviewed here that were deferential to people like Phil Spector and Berry Gordy, even with full knowledge of the way they exploited and/or abused their "girls". So, SO gross, ugh.
Also? Apparently Martha Reeves is a real bitch.
There isn't a lot of juicy drama or tea being spilled - there are plenty of books that cover the more dramatic aspects of pretty much every artist/producer/etc here, so if you're looking for that, you won't find it here.
I thought it very interesting that, in and amongst the other pieces of Motown's star-making factory, there was a professional finishing school that all of the girls had to attend, to learn how to be proper and classy ladies, to keep up Motown's squeaky-clean image and appeal to white people. Meanwhile, Jim Crow ran rampant in the south...
Pretty much everyone here got screwed out of their rights and the money they actually earned as performers, which is just rage-inducing. And we know from high-profile cases today (like Taylor Swift and Kesha) that it's basically same shit, different decade. Also, supposedly "genius" men are allowed to get away with anything because of their genius, which is also rage-inducing. I side-eyed so many of the the men who were interviewed here that were deferential to people like Phil Spector and Berry Gordy, even with full knowledge of the way they exploited and/or abused their "girls". So, SO gross, ugh.
Also? Apparently Martha Reeves is a real bitch.
January 29, 2024
It's an oral history, if you've never read an oral history before, it might seem confusing that you only get the answers to an interview, and there's no synopsis of what's going on during the time period. I, personally, love an oral history, especially for music history. I loved hearing directly from all the women in the girl groups about how life was for them. There's a lot of really funny stories in here, like one of the Ronettes smacking the Kinks drummer after he slapped her butt, or the Vandellas filming a music video by running through an actively working auto plant. Phil Spector is a dark presence, as is all the money that was stolen from the women. So many times the women were told, "the money's in a trust for when you're older." "Older" in this case meaning 21 because they were just teenage girls.
Despite the heartbreaking moments, overall this book is a celebration of Girl Groups, it's really great to learn about how much input the girls had in their songs. Beverly Lee was a cowriter on most of the Shirelles songs, the Dixie Cups came up with the iconic acapella beginning to "Chapel of Love" etc etc.
Despite the heartbreaking moments, overall this book is a celebration of Girl Groups, it's really great to learn about how much input the girls had in their songs. Beverly Lee was a cowriter on most of the Shirelles songs, the Dixie Cups came up with the iconic acapella beginning to "Chapel of Love" etc etc.
February 16, 2024
When I was a little girl, my cousin and I would listen to these songs and sing into our hairbrushes as if we were the superstars. This audiobook brought back so many good memories of a time gone by. It was a rollercoaster of a book too - from the excitement of the early years to it all falling apart. It’s just too much to mention in my short review. I will say that listening to it gave me a head spin; I could not keep all of the ‘characters’ straight. But in a way, that was a strong message in the book too - that most of these women (young girls really) were just interchangeable parts of groups and didn’t really have their own identities. I’m not sure how the interviews would read on a page format. I did find myself Google-searching a couple of the names and songs. Overall I really enjoyed this one. Highly recommend to fans of this musical era.
September 9, 2023
A terrific complication of oral history from the mouths of the women who comprised the famous all girl groups in the 1960s.
60s Gold is a permanent channel in my car, courtesy of SiriusXM and I love all the groups mentioned in the book: the Supremes, Ronnettes, the Crystals and even some I’d never heard. However the Crystals are my most favorite! When He Kissed Me plays I crank it up.
I loved all of the pictures included because the teased hair, costumes, and that 60s look are a scream!
This is a must read for anyone who loves 60s music, cultural history, or wants to know what it was really like behind the sweetness and glamor.
Thanks to Hachette Books and NetGalley and HachetteGo for the digital and physical copies.
60s Gold is a permanent channel in my car, courtesy of SiriusXM and I love all the groups mentioned in the book: the Supremes, Ronnettes, the Crystals and even some I’d never heard. However the Crystals are my most favorite! When He Kissed Me plays I crank it up.
I loved all of the pictures included because the teased hair, costumes, and that 60s look are a scream!
This is a must read for anyone who loves 60s music, cultural history, or wants to know what it was really like behind the sweetness and glamor.
Thanks to Hachette Books and NetGalley and HachetteGo for the digital and physical copies.
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February 17, 2024*No rating for non-fiction
I grew up listening to some of these groups but didn't know anything about them besides the music. It was such an interesting look at the time, and I couldn't believe how young these girls were and how they were treated. At the same time, the music business has always mistreated women, so I'm not sure why I was surprised. If you enjoy girl groups, or music from this era, I think it's worth the read.
I grew up listening to some of these groups but didn't know anything about them besides the music. It was such an interesting look at the time, and I couldn't believe how young these girls were and how they were treated. At the same time, the music business has always mistreated women, so I'm not sure why I was surprised. If you enjoy girl groups, or music from this era, I think it's worth the read.
May 8, 2024
This book is about an era and genre of music that I don’t particularly love. But I ended up learning a lot and found some of the people from then interesting to know more about. The format is largely quotation after quotation. I probably would’ve preferred a narrative.
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