Barbara Alston, Crystals Singer on ’60s Hits Like ‘Da Doo Ron Ron,’ Dies at 74
Barbara Alston, a singer with ’60s girl group The Crystals, died at the age of 74 in Charlotte.
She died on Feb. 16 from complications from the flu, her daughter told BBC News.
“She loved The Crystals,” Donielle Prophete said. “She always talked about singing with them, the work they created together. She loved the sisterhood part of it, the traveling.”
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The Crystals were best known for working with Wall of Sound producer Phil Spector and for their hit singles “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me” and “There’s No Other Like My Baby.”
The group’s other big single, “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)” was controversial for its depiction of domestic violence — a huge issue at the time of its release — and eventually got shelved after a public outcry.
The group — which consisted of Alston, Dee Dee Kennibrew, Mary Thomas, Patricia Wright and La La Brooks — grew up singing together while attending church in New York City.
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