Biography
The Dixie Cups are an American pop music girl group established in the 1960s, originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. The trio consisted of sisters Barbara Ann Hawkins and Rosa Lee Hawkins, along with their cousin Joan Marie Johnson. They began singing together in grade school and initially performed locally as The Meltones before being discovered at a talent show by singer/producer Joe Jones. Jones introduced them to legendary producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who signed them to Red Bird Records and renamed them The Dixie Cups. Their debut single, "Chapel of Love," became a massive hit in 1964, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over a million copies. The group is known for their catchy harmonies and contributions to the doo-wop and pop genres, with other notable hits including "People Say" and "Iko Iko." After a brief hiatus and lineup changes, The Dixie Cups continued to tour and perform, earning recognition from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Their legacy endures as pioneers of the girl group sound and as influential figures in American pop music history.
Fun Facts
- The Dixie Cups were originally going to be called "Little Miss and the Muffets" before settling on their final name.
- Their hit "Chapel of Love" knocked The Beatles' "Love Me Do" out of the number one spot on the Billboard charts in 1964.
- Barbara and Rosa Hawkins both worked as makeup artists for major cosmetics companies after their initial music career.
- The group was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Joe Jones - Singer/producer who discovered The Dixie Cups and became their manager (Red Bird Records) [1963-1965]
- Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller - Legendary producers who signed The Dixie Cups to Red Bird Records (Red Bird Records, Chapel of Love) [1963-1965]
Key Collaborators
- Barbara Ann Hawkins - Original member, lead vocals (Chapel of Love, People Say, Iko Iko) [1963-2022]
- Rosa Lee Hawkins - Original member, vocals (Chapel of Love, People Say, Iko Iko) [1963-2022]
- Joan Marie Johnson - Original member, vocals (Chapel of Love, People Say, Iko Iko) [1963-1965]
- Dale McMickle - Replaced Joan Marie Johnson, vocals (Various performances and recordings) [1965-1980s]
- Althelgra Neville - Later member, vocals (Various performances and recordings) [1980s-present]
Artists Influenced
- Various girl groups - Pioneered the girl group sound and influenced later pop and doo-wop acts (Chapel of Love, People Say, Iko Iko) [1960s-present]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| All Grown Up | 1963-12-13 | Album |
| Chapel of Love (Sun Records 70th / Mono / Remastered 2022) | 2022-05-20 | Album |
| The Dixie Cups' Another Boy Like Mine | 2006-06-25 | Album |
| Chapel of Love | 2016-01-29 | Album |
| チャペル・オブ・ラブ | 2015-03-25 | Album |
| Essential 60s R & B-Vol.3 | 2012-07-24 | Album |
| Soft Rock: Collector's Edition | 2001-01-01 | Album |
| Jukebox Legends Volume 1 | 1999-01-01 | Album |
| The Dixie Cups Meet The Shangri-Las | 1985-07-20 | Album |
| Chapel of Love | 1964 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Chapel Of Love (The Very Best of The Dixie Cups: Chapel of Love)
- Chapel Of Love (All Grown Up)
- Iko Iko (The Very Best of The Dixie Cups: Chapel of Love)
- Chapel Of Love (Full Metal Jacket (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- Iko Iko (All Grown Up)
- I'm Gonna Get You Yet (The Very Best of The Dixie Cups: Chapel of Love)
- Chapel of Love (Chapel of Love)
- Chapel Of Love - Mono / Remastered 2022 (Chapel of Love (Sun Records 70th / Mono / Remastered 2022))
- Iko Iko - Original (The Dixie Cups' Another Boy Like Mine)
- People Say (The Very Best of The Dixie Cups: Chapel of Love)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Dixie Cups has been played 16 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.