The Bobbettes emerged as pioneers among girl groups during the early rock era, achieving notable success in a landscape where male performers predominated. Their 1957 single “Mr. Lee” reached the pop Top Ten while simultaneously claiming the top spot on the R&B charts. Originally known as the Harlem Queens, the ensemble united sisters Emma and Jannie Pought alongside Laura Webb, Helen Gathers, and Reather Dixon. The five first connected in 1955 as members of the glee club at Harlem’s P.S. 109; before long they began performing at the Apollo Theater’s storied amateur nights. Manager James Dailey then secured them a deal with Atlantic Records. Drawing inspiration from a schoolteacher, the group issued “Mr. Lee” as their debut single in mid-1957, which also proved to be their most successful release. Four subsequent Atlantic singles failed to register on the charts. Following the 1959 ballad “You Are My Sweetheart,” the Bobbettes departed for the Triple-X label. There “I Shot Mr. Lee,” a track previously cut for Atlantic but turned down, started ascending the charts, prompting Atlantic to issue its own version and thereby stalling the song’s progress. The follow-ups “Have Mercy Baby” and “Dance with Me Georgie” each achieved modest chart success. In 1960 the group shifted to End Records and recorded the standard “Teach Me Tonight.” Their final chart appearance came in 1962 with “I Don’t Like It Like That,” an answer record to Chris Kenner’s “I Like It Like That.” They persisted in recording for various imprints, notably Diamond and Mayhew, through 1974 and later appeared on oldies circuits.
