The Flirtations when they were the Gypsies
The Flirtations success abroad inspired groups like the Sapphires. Using
basic soul chords and hooks, plus a healthy dose of guitars, flutes, and strings,
the Flirtations' records were popular in both America and Europe.
Members:
Lestine Johnson
Ernestine Pearce
Shirley Pearce
Betty Pearce
Consisting of sisters Betty, Ernestine and Shirley Pearce, along with Lesley Johnson,The Flirtations were formed in New York City in 1954. Singing after school and at parties while still in their teens they originally called themselves The Gypsies. They began recording for Old Town Records with "Hey There, Hey There" being their first release that flopped. The follow up "Jerk It" received some national play and was a hit locally. After one more release in 1965 the group left Old Town to concentrate on live performing. In 1966 the group seeking a new image changed its name to the Flirtations as well as signing with Caprice Records.
The Flirtations' first Caprice released was "Change My Darkness Into Light." Working with now independent producer Herb Abramson, co-founder of Atlantic Records, a new Flirtation sound appeared. So different was the new sound many wondered if it was actually the same group. "Change My Darkness Into Light" was written and produced by Sidney Barnes and J.J. Jackson who a year later would have a hit with "But, It's Alright." After two more singles under Abramson the Flirtations went out on their own touring. During this time they refined their act while performing their hits and rock and roll classics. By 1967 Betty Pearce had left.
In 1968 songwriters Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington began working with the group. Bickerton's first effort at producing the Flirtations resulted in "How Can You Tell Me?" Featuring a late 60s Motown sound it was released on the Parrot label and flopped. But the follow up "Nothing But A Heartache" gave the group their first bona fide hit. The next release was "Need Your Loving." The Flirtation sound was now just rough enough to attract those looking for a harder-edge, while still keeping the pop fans.
Now popular in Europe, especially in England, the Flirtations began appearing at Talk of the Town and London Palladium. However the steady work was at smaller clubs where they performed their perfectly honed cabaret act. After 1970 the group recorded sporadically. In 1977 the Flirtations went disco with "Earthquake" which was moderately successful in England and America. 1999 found the Pearce Sisters still performing.
In 1962 in New York, four women from South Carolina formed The Gypsies.
They were Lestine Johnson and sisters Ernestine Pearce, Shirley Pearce and Betty Pearce.
In 1964 they signed to Old Town Records, where they released their debut single "Hey
There, Hey There
The song achieved airplay only on local radio stations, but their next single ‚the
J.J. Jackson-written "Jerk It" ‚was more successful, reaching #111 (pop)
and #33 (R&B) in the spring of 1965. Despite the relative success of "Jerk
It", Lestine Johnson left the group, replaced by Viola Billups. The Gypsies released
only two singles on Old Town Records in 1966, giving them a total of four.
That year, now on Josie Records, the four women renamed themselves The Flirtations and
released the well-regarded northern soul ballad "Change My Darkness Into Light".
It was ignored by DJs and sales suffered. The quartet then moved to Festival Records,
where they released "Stronger Than Her Love" and "Settle Down" as a
single, which failed to spark much interest.