Shirley & Lee: Difference between revisions

Shirley & Lee
Shirley & Lee
Origin	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres	R&B; New Orleans soul;
Years active	1952–1963, 1972
Labels	Aladdin, Warwick, Imperial
Past members	Shirley Goodman; Leonard Lee;

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Shirley & Lee were an American musical duo active during the 1950s and 1960s, consisting of Shirley Goodman and Leonard Lee. They had R&B hits with their songs "Feel So Good," "Let the Good Times Roll," and "I Feel Good."

Career

Shirley Goodman (June 19, 1936 – July 5, 2005) and Leonard Lee (June 29, 1936 – October 23, 1976) were both born and raised in New Orleans. While attending Joseph Clark High School, they recorded a demo for "I'm Gone," a song Lee wrote, at Cosimo Matassa's studio in New Orleans.^[1]^[2] Eddie Mesner, the owner of Aladdin Records, heard the demo and asked Mesner to locate Goodman. Initially her religious grandmother was hesitant for her to record R&B and blues music, but after he offered her $1,000 she allowed Goodman to sign with Aladdin. Goodman and Lee re-recorded the song with producer Dave Bartholomew.^[3] Released in late 1952, their debut single reached No. 2 on the Billboard's R&B National Best Sellers chart in January 1953.^[4]

Although Shirley & Lee were never a couple, the duo became known as "the Sweethearts of the Blues" due to the romantic sagas their songs.^[1]^[2] Leaning on the contrast of Lee's deep voice and Goodman's higher voice, they recorded songs that conveyed a love affair. "Shirley's Back" was the second sequel to "I'm Gone", after "Shirley, Come Back to Me". As reviewed in Billboard (June 20, 1953): "The cycle's completed. First she left; then Lee pleaded for her return; finally she's back and happiness reigns."^[5]

Still just teenagers when they found success, Goodman's grandmother chaperoned her while they toured with Big Mama Thorton as her opening act.^[1] Nightclubs often stopped serving alcohol when they performed due to their age.^[1] They reached No. 2 on the R&B chart with "Feel So Good", (not to be confused with their later single "I Feel Good"), in 1955. Their biggest hit "Let the Good Times Roll" topped the R&B chart in 1956 and peaked at No. 20 on the Pop chart.^[2] Their debut album, Let the Good Times Roll, was released that same year.

In 1959, Shirley & Lee moved to Warwick Records, where they ended up re-recording "Let the Good Times Roll." The duo were never able to duplicate the success of their biggest hit. They released their second album titled Let the Good Times Roll on Warwick in 1961. They recorded for Imperial Records before they spit up in 1963. Nearly a decade later, they reunited for some concerts in 1972.^[3]

In 1974, Shirley and Lee appeared on the music show The Midnight Special. However, 'Lee' was, in fact the late Steeltown Records Founder and actor Lou 'Luddie' Washington, Hollywood Shuffle.

Goodman returned to the charts in 1974 with her disco hit "Shame, Shame, Shame." She retired from the music industry in the late 1970s. After suffering a stroke in 1994, Goodman moved to California, and died on July 5, 2005, in Los Angeles.

Lee, who had become a social worker, died of a heart attack, aged 40 in 1976.^[6]

Discography

Albums

1956: Let the Good Times Roll (Aladdin)
1961: Let the Good Times Roll (Warwick)

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions
Year	Single	US Pop ^[7]	US R&B ^[8]
1952	"I'm Gone"	—	2
1955	"Feel So Good"	—	2
1956	"Let the Good Times Roll"	20	1
1956	"I Feel Good"	38	3
1957	"When I Saw You"	—	14
1960	"I've Been Loved Before"	88	—
1960	"Let the Good Times Roll" (re-recording)	48	—
1961	"Well-A, Well-A"	77	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Lichtenstein, Grace; Dankner, Laura (1993). Musical Gumbo: The Music of New Orleans. W.W. Norton. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-393-03468-4.
^ ^a ^b ^c Sullivan, Steve (May 17, 2017). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 277. ISBN 978-1-4422-5449-7.
^ ^a ^b Talevski, Nick (April 7, 2010). Rock Obituaries: Knocking On Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 361. ISBN 978-0-85712-117-2.
^ "Top Rhythm & Blues Records: National Best Sellers" (PDF). Billboard. January 10, 1953. p. 36.
^ "New Records To Watch: R&B" (PDF). Billboard. June 20, 1953. p. 36.
^ "Shirley Goodman". Spectropop.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 (1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 637. ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
^ Whitburn, Joel (1996). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995. Record Research. p. 398.

External links

Shirley & Lee discography at Discogs
Shirley & Lee on AllMusic

[:2-1] Lichtenstein, Grace; Dankner, Laura (1993). Musical Gumbo: The Music of New Orleans. W.W. Norton. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-393-03468-4.

[:1-2] Sullivan, Steve (May 17, 2017). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 277. ISBN 978-1-4422-5449-7.

[:0-3] Talevski, Nick (April 7, 2010). Rock Obituaries: Knocking On Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 361. ISBN 978-0-85712-117-2.

[4] "Top Rhythm & Blues Records: National Best Sellers" (PDF). Billboard. January 10, 1953. p. 36.

[5] "New Records To Watch: R&B" (PDF). Billboard. June 20, 1953. p. 36.

[6] "Shirley Goodman". Spectropop.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.

[whitburnpop-7] Whitburn, Joel (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 (1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 637. ISBN 0-89820-155-1.

[whitburnr&b-8] Whitburn, Joel (1996). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995. Record Research. p. 398.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|American musical duo}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
 {{Infobox musical artist
 | background       = group_or_band
 | name             = Shirley & Lee
 | label            = Aladdin, Warwick, Imperial
-| past_members     = [[Shirley Goodman]]
+| past_members     =
+* [[Shirley Goodman]]
-Leonard Lee
+* Leonard Lee
 | genre            = {{flatlist|
 *[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]
 *[[New Orleans soul]]
 }}
-| years_active     = 1950s–1960s
+| years_active     = 1952–1963, 1972
 | origin           = [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], U.S.
 | image            =
@@ Line 19: / Line 21: @@
 '''Shirley & Lee''' were an American musical duo active during the 1950s and 1960s, consisting of [[Shirley Goodman]] and Leonard Lee. They had R&B hits with their songs "Feel So Good," "[[Let the Good Times Roll (Shirley and Lee song)|Let the Good Times Roll]]," and "I Feel Good."
-== Career ==
+==Career==
 Shirley Goodman (June 19, 1936 – July 5, 2005) and Leonard Lee (June 29, 1936 – October 23, 1976) were both born and raised in New Orleans. While attending [[Joseph S. Clark Sr. High School|Joseph Clark High School]], they recorded a demo for "I'm Gone," a song Lee wrote, at [[Cosimo Matassa]]'s studio in New Orleans.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last1=Lichtenstein|first1=Grace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ed2TF84G-t8C&dq=shirley+and+lee&pg=PA106|title=Musical Gumbo: The Music of New Orleans|last2=Dankner|first2=Laura|date=1993|publisher=W.W. Norton|isbn=978-0-393-03468-4|pages=106|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Sullivan|first=Steve|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GQglDwAAQBAJ&dq=Leonard+Lee+aladdin+shirley&pg=PA277|title=Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings|date=2017-05-17|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-4422-5449-7|pages=277|language=en}}</ref> Eddie Mesner, the owner of [[Aladdin Records]], heard the demo and asked Mesner to locate Goodman. Initially her religious grandmother was hesitant for her to record R&B and blues music, but after he offered her $1,000 she allowed Goodman to sign with Aladdin. Goodman and Lee re-recorded the song with producer [[Dave Bartholomew]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Talevski|first=Nick|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DykffzkFALoC&dq=Leonard+Lee+(June+29,+1936&pg=PA361|title=Rock Obituaries: Knocking On Heaven's Door|date=2010-04-07|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-85712-117-2|pages=361|language=en}}</ref> Released in late 1952, their debut single reached No. 2 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|''Billboard's'' R&B National Best Sellers]] chart in January 1953.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=January 10, 1953|title=Top Rhythm & Blues Records: National Best Sellers|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1953/Billboard%201953-01-10.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=36}}</ref>
-Although Shirley & Lee were never a couple, the duo became known as "the Sweethearts of the Blues" due to the romantic sagas their songs.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> Leaning on the contrast of Lee's deep voice and Goodman's higher voice, they recorded songs that conveyed a love affair. "Shirley's Back" was the second sequel to "I'm Gone", after "Shirley, Come Back To Me". As reviewed in ''Billboard'' (June 20, 1953): "The cycle's completed. First she left; then Lee pleaded for her return; finally she's back and happiness reigns."<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=June 20, 1953|title=New Records To Watch: R&B|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1953/Billboard%201953-06-20.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=36}}</ref>
+Although Shirley & Lee were never a couple, the duo became known as "the Sweethearts of the Blues" due to the romantic sagas their songs.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> Leaning on the contrast of Lee's deep voice and Goodman's higher voice, they recorded songs that conveyed a love affair. "Shirley's Back" was the second sequel to "I'm Gone", after "Shirley, Come Back to Me". As reviewed in ''Billboard'' (June 20, 1953): "The cycle's completed. First she left; then Lee pleaded for her return; finally she's back and happiness reigns."<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=June 20, 1953|title=New Records To Watch: R&B|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1953/Billboard%201953-06-20.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=36}}</ref>
-Still just teenagers when they found success, Goodman's grandmother chaperoned her while they toured with [[Big Mama Thornton|Big Mama Thorton]] as her opening act.<ref name=":2" /> Nightclubs often stopped serving alcohol when they performed due to their age.<ref name=":2" /> They reached No. 2 on the R&B chart with "Feel So Good", (not to be confused with their 'I Feel Good'), in 1955. Their biggest hit "Let the Good Times Roll" topped the R&B chart in 1956 and peaked at No. 20 on the Pop chart.<ref name=":1" /> Their debut album, ''Let the Good Times Roll'', was released that same year.
+Still just teenagers when they found success, Goodman's grandmother chaperoned her while they toured with [[Big Mama Thornton|Big Mama Thorton]] as her opening act.<ref name=":2" /> Nightclubs often stopped serving alcohol when they performed due to their age.<ref name=":2" /> They reached No. 2 on the R&B chart with "Feel So Good", (not to be confused with their later single "I Feel Good"), in 1955. Their biggest hit "Let the Good Times Roll" topped the R&B chart in 1956 and peaked at No. 20 on the Pop chart.<ref name=":1" /> Their debut album, ''Let the Good Times Roll'', was released that same year.
-In 1959, Shirley & Lee moved to [[Warwick Records (United States)|Warwick Records]], where they ended up re-recording "Let the Good Times Roll." The duo were never able to duplicate the success of their biggest hit. They released their second album titled ''Let The Good Times Roll'' on Warwick in 1961. They recorded for [[Imperial Records]] before they spit up in 1963. Nearly a decade later, they reunited for some concerts in 1972.<ref name=":0" />
+In 1959, Shirley & Lee moved to [[Warwick Records (United States)|Warwick Records]], where they ended up re-recording "Let the Good Times Roll." The duo were never able to duplicate the success of their biggest hit. They released their second album titled ''Let the Good Times Roll'' on Warwick in 1961. They recorded for [[Imperial Records]] before they spit up in 1963. Nearly a decade later, they reunited for some concerts in 1972.<ref name=":0" />
-In 1974, on [[The Midnight Special (TV series)]], Shirley and Lee were introduced. However, 'Lee' was, in fact the late [[Steeltown Records]] Founder and actor Lou 'Luddie' Washington, [[Hollywood Shuffle]].
+In 1974, Shirley and Lee appeared on the music show ''[[The Midnight Special (TV series)|The Midnight Special]]''. However, 'Lee' was, in fact the late [[Steeltown Records]] Founder and actor Lou 'Luddie' Washington, [[Hollywood Shuffle]].
 Goodman returned to the charts in 1974 with her [[disco]] hit "[[Shame, Shame, Shame (Shirley & Company song)|Shame, Shame, Shame]]." She retired from the music industry in the late 1970s. After suffering a [[stroke]] in 1994, Goodman moved to [[California]], and died on July 5, 2005, in [[Los Angeles]].
@@ Line 34: / Line 36: @@
 Lee, who had become a [[social worker]], died of a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]], aged 40 in 1976.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shirley Goodman|url=http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/SGobit.htm|access-date=December 3, 2017|website=Spectropop.com}}</ref>
-== Discography ==
+==Discography==
+===Albums===
+* 1956: ''Let the Good Times Roll'' (Aladdin)
+* 1961: ''Let the Good Times Roll'' (Warwick)
-=== Albums ===
+===Singles ===
-* 1956: ''[[Let The Good Times Roll (Shirley and Lee album)|Let the Good Times Roll]]'' (Aladdin)
-* 1961: ''Let The Good Times Roll'' (Warwick)
-=== Charted singles ===
 {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 ! rowspan="2" |Year
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 ! colspan="3" |Chart positions
 |- style="font-size:smaller;"
-! width="40" |[[Billboard Hot 100|US Pop]]<ref name="whitburnpop">{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|url=https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whitbur/page/637|title=Top Pop Singles 1955-2002|publisher=Record Research Inc.|year=2003|isbn=0-89820-155-1|edition=1st|location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin|page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whitbur/page/637 637]}}</ref>
+! width="40" |[[Billboard Hot 100|US Pop]]<br><ref name="whitburnpop">{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|url=https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whitbur/page/637|title=Top Pop Singles 1955-2002|publisher=Record Research Inc.|year=2003|isbn=0-89820-155-1|edition=1st|location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin|page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whitbur/page/637 637]}}</ref>
+! width="40" |[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B]]<br><ref name="whitburnr&b">{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995|publisher=Record Research|year=1996|page=398|author-link=Joel Whitburn}}</ref>
-! width="40" |[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US]]
-[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]]<ref name="whitburnr&b">{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995|publisher=Record Research|year=1996|page=398|author-link=Joel Whitburn}}</ref>
-! width="40" |[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<ref name="betts">{{cite book|last=Betts|first=Graham|title=Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004|publisher=Collins|year=2004|isbn=0-00-717931-6|edition=1st|location=London|page=698}}</ref>
 |-
 | rowspan="1" |1952
 | align="left" |"I'm Gone"
-|—
+| —
-|2
+| 2
-|—
 |-
 | rowspan="1" |1955
 | align="left" |"Feel So Good"
-|—
+| —
-|2
+| 2
-|—
 |-
 | rowspan="2" |1956
-| align="left" |"[[Let the Good Times Roll (Shirley and Lee song)|Let The Good Times Roll]]"
+| align="left" |"[[Let the Good Times Roll (Shirley and Lee song)|Let the Good Times Roll]]"
-|20
+| 20
-|1
+| 1
-|—
 |-
 | align="left" |"I Feel Good"
-|38
+| 38
-|3
+| 3
-|—
 |-
 | rowspan="1" |1957
 | align="left" |"When I Saw You"
-|—
+| —
-|14
+| 14
-|—
 |-
 | rowspan="2" |1960
 | align="left" |"I've Been Loved Before"
-|88
+| 88
-|—
+| —
-|—
 |-
-| align="left" |"Let The Good Times Roll"
+| align="left" |"Let the Good Times Roll" <small>(re-recording)</small>
+| 48
-<small>(re-recording)</small>
+| —
-|48
-|—
-|—
 |-
 | rowspan="1" |1961
 | align="left" |"Well-A, Well-A"
-|77
+| 77
-|—
+| —
-|—
 |-
+| colspan="5" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
 |}
-== References ==
+==References==
+<references />
+==External links==
+*{{Discogs artist}}
+* [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shirley-lee-mn0000028602/biography Shirley & Lee] on [[AllMusic]]
 [[Category:Male–female musical duos]]
 [[Category:American rhythm and blues musical groups]]
@@ Line 109: / Line 105: @@
 [[Category:Aladdin Records artists]]
 [[Category:Imperial Records artists]]
-<references />
-== External links ==
-* [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shirley-lee-mn0000028602/biography Shirley & Lee] on [[AllMusic]]
 [[Category:Musical groups from New Orleans]]
 [[Category:American soul musical groups]]