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The Cookies facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Cookies (group), an unrelated Hong Kong music group.
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The Cookies
The Cookies 1962.jpg
The Cookies in 1962
Background information
Origin Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States
Genres R&B, pop, soul
Years active 1954–1958;
1962–1967
Labels Lamp/Aladdin Records
Atlantic Records
Dimension Records
Associated acts The Raelettes
Ray Charles
Past members Darlene McCrea
Margie Hendricks
Earl-Jean McCrea
Dorothy Jones
Beulah Robertson
Margaret Ross

The Cookies were a popular American R&B girl group. They had two different groups of members. The first group was active from 1954 to 1958. Some of these members later formed The Raelettes. The second group was active from 1961 to 1967.

Many members of both groups were from the same family. The Cookies were best known for singing backup for other artists. They also had their own hit songs.

The Cookies' Story

The Cookies started in 1954 in Brooklyn, New York. The first members were Dorothy Jones, Darlene McCrea, and Dorothy's cousin, Beulah Robertson. In 1956, Margie Hendricks joined the group. She replaced Beulah Robertson.

The group worked as "session singers" for Atlantic Records. This means they sang on recordings for other artists. This is how they met the famous singer Ray Charles. In 1958, The Cookies sang with Ray Charles at a big concert. It was called the Cavalcade of Jazz. After singing with Charles, Darlene McCrea and Margie Hendricks helped start the Raelettes. This was Ray Charles's backup singing group.

A New Group of Cookies

In 1961, a new version of The Cookies formed in New York. Dorothy Jones returned to the group. She was joined by Earl-Jean McCrea and Margaret Ross. Earl-Jean was Darlene's younger sister. Margaret Ross was another one of Dorothy's cousins.

This new trio had the most success as The Cookies. They sang their own songs. They also provided backup vocals for many other artists. For example, they sang on Neil Sedaka's hit song "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do". They also sang on Little Eva's big hit "The Loco-Motion" in 1962.

Their biggest hit song was "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby)". This song reached number 3 on the R&B music chart in 1963. It also reached number 7 on the main Pop chart.

Another one of their songs was "Chains". This song became famous when the Beatles recorded it. They put it on their first album, Please Please Me.

Earl-Jean McCrea left the group in 1965. She recorded a few solo songs. One of her songs was "I'm Into Something Good". This song later became a big hit for Herman's Hermits.

The Cookies also released songs under different names. These names included the Palisades and the Cinderellas. Margaret Ross often sang the lead vocals on these songs.

The Cookies released their last record in April 1967. Darlene McCrea returned to sing on this recording. She replaced her sister Earl-Jean.

Remembering the Members

Margie Hendrix passed away on July 14, 1973. She was 38 years old.

Dorothy Jones passed away on December 25, 2010. She was 76 years old.

Darlene McCrea passed away on February 4, 2013.

Today, Margaret Ross (now Margaret Williams) still performs. She tours as The Cookies with new backup singers. She also sometimes performs with Barbara Harris and the Toys.

Meet the Members

The Singers

  • Dorothy Jones - 1954-1958, 1961-1967
  • Darlene McCrea - 1954-1958, 1964-1967
  • Beulah Robertson - 1954-1956
  • Margie Hendricks - 1956-1958
  • Earl-Jean McCrea - 1961-1964
  • Margaret Ross - 1961-1967

Dorothy, Beulah, and Margaret were first cousins. Their mothers were sisters. Beulah and Margaret were not in the group at the same time. Darlene and Earl-Jean were sisters. They were also not in the group at the same time.

The Cookies' Songs

  • "In Paradise" b/w "Passing Time" (1956)
  • "Chains" b/w "Stranger in My Arms" (1962) - This song reached #17 on the U.S. Pop chart.
  • "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby)" b/w "Softly in the Night" (1963) - This was their biggest hit, reaching #3 on the U.S. R&B chart and #7 on the U.S. Pop chart.
  • "Will Power" b/w "I Want a Boy for My Birthday" (1963)
  • "Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys" b/w "Only to Other People" (1963) - This song reached #33 on the U.S. Pop chart.
  • "I Never Dreamed" b/w "The Old Crowd" (1964)

Songs They Sang Backup On

The Cookies sang backup on many famous songs. Here are some of them:

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