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The Fleetwoods, one of America's most popular doo-wop groups in 1959, were hit makers through the early '60s. They topped the Pop charts and made the R & B Top 5, an unusual crossover for two blue-eyed blonde teenage singer-songwriters and their scat-singing classmate. The original members of the group, Gretchen Christopher and Barbara Ellis had been childhood playmates and were cheerleaders together in their freshman year. They met Gary Troxel when all were seniors at Olympia High School in Olympia, Washington. Originally a female duo, they recruited Gary to play trumpet.
At the piano, Gretchen had composed the song, "Come Softly," to which Barbara added her harmony. Independently, Gary hummed a hook that went "n-do-be-do, dum dum, dum do dum." Gretchen arranged and sang her melody and lyrics in counterpoint to Gary's scat part, and the basis of "Come Softly To Me" was born. It was a smash hit at their high school talent show in front of 1500 students.
Gretchen recorded the trio at home, a cappella, and took the tape to Seattle Record Promoter Bob Reisdorff. He said, "It'll sell a million!" Reisdorff started his own company (Dolphin Records, with Lou Lavinthal and Bonnie Guitar), and recorded the trio, with Gary adding lyrics to his scat part, for an alternating male/female lead with Gretchen.
"Come Softly To Me" became a Number One Record in the United States, a hit throughout the world, and the first Million Seller Gold Record earned by an artist on a Northwest label - The Fleetwoods on Dolphin/Dolton Records. The trio followed with the Top 40 Hit "Graduation's Here," co-written for their high school graduation party by Gretchen who sang lead and Barbara who harmonized. For the recording, Gretchen asked Gary if he could come up with one of his scat backgrounds. It became a charming part of the arrangement.
Then came the male-lead "Mr. Blue," a DeWayne-Blackwell-penned song which also hit Number One and, paired with "Come Softly To Me," made The Fleetwoods the first group in the history of Rock 'n' Roll to have multiple Number One Records top The Billboard Hot 100 in a single year (1959). With the two blonde songbirds at his side and their romantic musical arrangements, Gary became one of the most envied of teen idols. Not so enviable, in the midst of their success, was his having to serve two years active duty in the Navy.
On tour, soon-to-be-solo-star Vic Dana performed in Gary's place. On his naval leave, the original trio recorded, and the hits continued: nine Top 40 Records between 1959 and 1963, including the Number 10 Hit, "Tragedy," a revival of the Thomas Wayne song. Their 11th and last hit, before being succeeded by the Beatles, was Gretchen's tender arrangement of "Goodnight My Love" on which sweet-voiced Barbara finally sang lead, and Gary and Gretchen supported her with answer lyrics. And so The Fleetwoods amazing string of hit singles began and ended with the female leads of Gretchen and Barbara who, in between, created a safety net for the stage-shy Gary, with their beautiful arrangements.
In 1966, when their recording contract option came up for renewal with Liberty Records, but without the financial guarantees they had enjoyed, and without Reisdorff as producer, the trio declined to sign. Each was married and all devoted themselves to raising families, with Gretchen doing occasional interviews and performances to keep the Fleetwoods name and music alive. She also performed as Gretchen Christopher of The Fleetwoods, singing all the hits -- and, of course, as The Fleetwoods, having trained replacements on both coasts - including Barbara's favorite: cute cousin Karen Cone from Connecticut.
After 11 Billboard hit singles and 15 albums as the Fleetwoods' original lead female vocalist, arranger and BMI Million Airs Songwriter, Gretchen Christopher has written, recorded, produced, and is releasing in 2006, her own first solo CD, Gretchen's SWEET SIXTEEN! (SUITE 16). The autobiographical album is a collection of 16 sweet, soulful, insightful songs, including new recordings of "Come Softly To Me", Graduation's Here", "Time of Love" and "Blues Go Away" (four of the 11 Fleetwoods songs she wrote, in addition to a dozen new ones). From the age of 16 and first falling in love, through loss and laughter, to life thereafter, it is the soundtrack of our lives.
Now reunited with her first love, after nearly four decades apart, Gretchen is sweet sixteen again (a leap year baby, born February 29th) and celebrating with this concept album, which tells in song, their extraordinary love story. Song samples may be heard and the album ordered at http://www.thefleetwoods.com/sweet16CD.html .
For Fleetwoods or solo bookings, email Bookings@TheFleetwoods.com.
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