RIP Fanita James of girl groups The Dreamers & Blossoms (w/ Darlene Love) & w/ Richard Berry & was backup singer for Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick live, & did studio work w/ Sam Cooke

https://www.louielouie.net/blog/?p=13818

Schooling myself now on Fanita James , backup singer extraordinaire who died on Thanksgiving 2023. from the link:

n 1960, the Blossoms were Fanita, Gloria, and Darlene. They wound up doing a lot of studio work with literally hundreds of musicians including Bobby Day, Larry Williams, Bobby Darin, Sam Cooke, Gene Autry, Ed Townsend, Doris Day, Shirley Gunter, Duane Eddy and Bobby Boris Pickett, who recorded that catchy “Monster Mash” song with Gary S. Paxton, who was also working with Richard Berry during that period.

In 1962, the Blossoms were Fanita and Darlene, joined at various times by Gracia Nitzsche (Jack’s wife), Edna Wright (Darlene’s sister) and Carolyn Willis. They did a lot of work with Phil Spector, who renamed Darlene as Darlene Love. Fanita had already become Fanita James. The Blossoms would became a three piece with Jean King joining Fanita and Darlene. In 1964 they became the resident backing group at the “Shindig” TV show for two years.

Fanita James was in that doc about backup singers 20 Feet from Stardom too

Fanita James singing lead with the Blossoms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCePgsN3zSU

Jacqueline Warwick author of a book on girl groups:
Fanita James, founding member of the Blossoms, has died. A brilliant, versatile musician, she sang anything put in front of her, breaking racist barriers with panache. I was privileged to interview her for my girl groups book. RIP.

https://x.com/JacquelineWarwi/status/1728461875879301404?s=20

RIP