Girl Groups of the early 1960s

Were the Girl Groups of the early 60s voices of female empowerment or reflections of traditional female roles? In the midst of the 60s British Invasion and early Rock and Roll were the “Girl Groups” Some well known groups were: The Shangri-Las, the Ronettes, the Bobbettes, and the Chantelles Vocal harmonies A number of songs were co-written by female songwriters: Carole King, Ellie Greenwich, Cynthia Weil, Florence Greenberg (Brill Building) Women’s voices and songwriting were entering the music scene

The Girl Groups very rarely performed material they had written and rarely, if ever played the instruments featured on their recordings (left to male studio musicians) Most songs focused on the males in their lives Most of the Girl Group performers had little to no say in what they were singing, how they dressed or performed. The Shangri-Las had a bit more of an edge with their look and attitude.

History of the time period Women’s Rights movement: challenging traditional female roles 1963 Betty Friedan, “The Feminine Mystique” Growing economic power of teenage girls in the late 1950s and early 1960s Key events of the Women’s Rights movement in the 60s and 70s