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Darlene
McCrae Tribute
Founding Member of the Cookies & Raeletts
Ethel "Darlene" McCrae, founding member of the female R&B trio,
the Cookies, died on February 5, 2013.
The Cookies started singing together in the choir of First
Baptist Church in Coney Island, NY. In 1954, Darlene McCrae, Dorothy Jones
and Beulah Robertson decided to enter the amateur contest at the Apollo Theatre.
The group came in third but drew the attention of noted songwriter and producer
Jesse Stone who took the group to Lamp Records (a subsidiary of Aladdin).
There the Cookies had their first record, "Don't Let Go".
The Cookies, 1955. Left to right: Darlene McCrae, Beulah
Robertson, Dorothy Jones
(Photo courtesy of the Paul Ressler Archives)
By 1955, the Cookies were signed to Atlantic Records, where Jesse
Stone was a staff writer. Their first Atlantic recording session produced
"Precious Love".
The Cookies' first Atlantic label record
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
In 1956, the Cookies scored with "In Paradise," a song co-written
by singer Carmen Taylor. The flip, "Passing Time" was one of the first
writing efforts by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. "In Paradise" was
covered by Otis Williams & the Charms. To hear "In Paradise" by the
Cookies click the YouTube below.
Before their last release on Atlantic, "My Lover," Margie Hendrix
replaced Beulah Robertson.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
In addition to their own recordings, the Cookies also supplied a
lot of background vocals for other Atlantic artists. They were the
background singers on "Honey Hush" by Joe Turner. They also backed Ruth
Brown, LaVern Baker, Chuck Willis and Ray Charles. This led to Darlene
McCrae and Margie Hendrix (along with Pat Moseley) becoming Ray Charles' regular
back up group, the Raeletts. It's Margie Hendrix' strong voice answering
Ray Charles on "Night Time Is The Right Time".
This of course led to the dissolving of the Cookies for the time
being. Dorothy Jones would later restart the Cookies, this time with
Darlene being replaced with her sister, Earl-Jean McCrae. This second
Cookies group would record "Chains" and numerous other recordings during the
1960's.
For the full Cookies' story, see John Clemente's book, "Girl
Groups". We understand John's book is being updated and will be republished
soon!
Promotional copy of "In Paradise," released for a second time in
1960.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2013. All
Rights Reserved.
Known for their recording of "In Paradise," the Cookies also
excelled as backup vocalists, backing numerous artists including Joe Turner,
LaVern Baker, Ruth Brown and Ray Charles. The group, including Darlene
McCrae eventually evolved into Ray Charles' Raeletts. Darlene's sister,
Earl-Jean McCrae would later sing with a second Cookies group that would record
"Chains" and many other songs during the 1960's.
