The Crystals singer Barbara Ann Alston has died aged 74.
The singer, who recorded hits like Da Doo Ron Ron and Then He Kissed Me, died on Friday February 16 after contracting flu, her daughter confirmed today.
Alston spent more than two weeks in intensive care at a hospital in Charlotte.
Speaking to BBC News, daughter Donielle Prophete said: ‘She loved The Crystals. She always talked about singing with them, the work they created together.
‘She loved the sisterhood part of it, the traveling.’
Her band became one of the definitive girl groups of the 1960s, alongside the likes of The Ronettes.
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The Crystals were originally a quintet consisting of Alston, Dee Dee Kennibrew, Mary Thomas, Patricia Wright and La La Brooks – being put together by big band sideman Benny Wells who was also Alston’s uncle.
Alston sang lead vocals on their first three singles, including There’s No Other Like My Baby.
The group later joined up with producer Phil Spector and contributed to his ‘Wall Of Sound’ technique.
Alston left the group in 1964 leaving the group as a trio following the departure of Patricia Wright, before they all disbanded in 1967.
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