The Flirtations (R&B musical group) facts for kids

The Flirtations
Also known as	The Gypsies
Origin	South Carolina, U.S.
Genres	Rhythm and blues, soul (especially northern soul)
Years active	1960–present
Labels	Burbank Records, Old Town Records, Josie, Deram, Centre City Records
Members	Ernestine Pearce Shirley Pearce Viola Billups
Past members	Lestine Johnson Betty Pearce Loretta Noble

The Flirtations (who were first known as The Gypsies) are an all-female music group. They have been making music since the early 1960s. They are famous for their soulful sound and energetic performances.

The Flirtations: A Journey Through Music

Starting as The Gypsies

In 1962, a group of talented singers came together in New York City. These were Lestine Johnson and three sisters: Ernestine, Shirley, and Betty Pearce. They were all from South Carolina. They decided to call themselves The Gypsies.

In 1964, they signed with Old Town Records. Their first song was "Hey There, Hey There." It was played on local radio stations. Their next song, "Jerk It," was more popular. It reached number 33 on the R&B music charts in 1965. After this, Lestine Johnson left the group. She was replaced by Viola Billups. The Gypsies released two more songs before changing their name.

Becoming The Flirtations

In 1966, the four women changed their name to The Flirtations. They signed with Josie Records. They released a song called "Change My Darkness Into Light." This song is now considered a classic in northern soul music. However, it didn't sell well at the time.

Later, Betty Pearce left the group. The Flirtations became a trio. In 1968, they won a local talent show. They sounded so much like the Supremes! This win encouraged them to move to England. There, they signed with Parrot Records. They even toured with famous singer Tom Jones in Europe. Their song "Someone Out There" became a hit in the Netherlands.

Their Biggest Hit: "Nothing But A Heartache"

In late 1968, the trio joined Deram Records. This is where they recorded their most famous song, "Nothing But A Heartache." This song was a powerful and dramatic tune. It was produced by Wayne Bickerton and written by him with Tony Waddington. The song became a big hit for them. It reached number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. in 1969. It also became a Top 40 hit in the Netherlands. Many people today see "Nothing But a Heartache" as a classic pop and Northern soul song.

More Music and Changes

After "Nothing But a Heartache," they released "South Carolina." This was a slower song, and it didn't do as well. In 1970, they had another hit with "Can't Stop Loving You." Tom Jones also released his own version of this song.

In 1971, they released their last song with Deram Records, "Give Me Love." In 1972, Misty Browning joined the group, replacing Viola Billups. Viola Billups then started her own solo career as Vie and later as Pearly Gates. Loretta Noble later replaced Misty Browning. During 1972, The Flirtations were the main singers on the BBC TV show It's Cliff Richard. They sang with Cliff Richard and other guests.

Throughout the 1970s, The Flirtations continued to release music on different record labels. They had songs like "Little Darling (I Need You)" and "Take Me In Your Arms (& Love Me)". In 1975, their song "One Night of Love" led to a new album called Love Makes the World Go Round.

Later Years and Rediscovery

In the 1980s, The Flirtations recorded Hi-NRG songs. These included "Earthquake" (1983) and "Back On My Feet Again" (1989). The song "Back On My Feet Again" was special because Viola Billups rejoined the Pearce sisters for it. It became a big hit in South Africa.

The band became popular again in the disco and Northern soul music scenes. This happened in places like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the U.S.. In the UK, their song "Nothing But A Heartache" was even used in a TV ad for KFC! In 2007, the band The Freemasons covered the song. Ernestine Pearce still performs today as part of "The Soul Explosion" tour.

In 2007, they started recording for Ian Levine's Centre City Records. In 2009, they released their first new song in 20 years, called "Roulette." It even had a music video! The song reached number 10 on the Music Week's Commercial Pop Club Chart.

Albums discography

• 1969 Nothing But A Heartache
• 1970 Sounds Like The Flirtations
• 1976 Love Makes the World Go Around
• 2015 Girls

Singles discography

The Gypsies

• 1964 "Hey There" / "Blue Bird"
• 1965 "Jerk It" / "Diamonds, Rubies, Gold And Fame"
• 1965 "It's A Woman's World (You Better Believe It)" / "They're Having A Party"
• 1966 "Oh I Wonder Why" / "Diamonds, Rubies, Gold And Fame"

The Flirtations

• 1966 "Change My Darkness Into Light" / "Natural Born Lover"
• 1967 "Stronger Than Her Love" / "Settle Down"
• 1968 "How Can You Tell Me"/ "Someone Out There"
• 1968 "Nothing but a Heartache" / "Christmas Time Is Here Again"
• 1968 "Nothing But A Heartache" / "How Can You Tell Me"
• 1969 "Need Your Loving" / "South Carolina"
• 1969 "Keep On Searchin'" / "I Wanna Be There"
• 1969 "Can't Stop Lovin' You"/ "Everybody Needs Somebody"
• 1970 "Give Me Love, Love, Love" / "This Must Be The End Of The Line"
• 1971 "Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me" / "Little Darling (I Need You)"
• 1972 "Hold On To Me Baby" / "Love a Little Longer"
• 1973 "Why Didn't I Think Of That" / "Oh Mia Bamba"
• 1974 "Dirty Work" / "No Such Thing As A Miracle"
• 1975 "Mr. Universe" / "Somebody Cared For Me"
• 1975 "Lover Where Are You Now?" / "One Night Of Love"
• 1983 "Earthquake" / "Earthquake" (Instrumental)
• 1986 "Read All About It" / "Read All About It" (Nightmare Dub Mix)
• 1986 "Get Up (Come On Over)" / "Get Up (Come On Over)" (Instrumental)
• 1989 "Back on My Feet Again" / "Back on My Feet Again" (Reunion Instrumental Mix)
• 2009 "Roulette"(C.D. Single. 8 Various Mixes)
• 2013 "You Pulled A Fast One" / "My Way Or The Highway"
• 2015 "Nowhere To Run"