From “He’s a Rebel” to “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” Darlene Love is the voice behind some of the most iconic songs of the ‘60s. On Wednesday, July 11, Love brings her powerful vocals and star power to the Cape May Summer Concert Series. The show will be held at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave. in Cape May, beginning at 8 p.m.
While in high school, Darlene Love was invited to join a girl-group known as the Blossoms. Working with Phil Spector, the Blossoms recorded “He’s a Rebel,” which reached Number 1 on the Hot 100 chart and was credited to another Spector group, The Crystals. Love and the Blossoms provided the background vocals for many of the best known hits of the 1960s, including the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” Shelley Fabares’ “Johnny Angel,” Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash” and Frank Sinatra’s version of “That’s Life.”
In 1963, Love recorded “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” for a Phil Spector holiday compilation album. Covered by artists ranging from U2 to Mariah Carey to Jon Bon Jovi, the song is a perennial holiday favorite and was named the Number 1 rock and roll Christmas song by Rolling Stone magazine in 2010. Love performed the song on David Letterman’s late night talk show every year from 1986 through 2015, on the episode closest to Christmas.
A talented actor as well as a gifted singer, Love portrayed Trish Murtaugh, the wife of Danny Glover’s character, in the “Lethal Weapon” movie series. She has also starred in Broadway productions, including “Grease,” “Hairspray” and a musical adaptation of Stephen King’s “Carrie.”
In recognition of her tremendous career, Love won the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award in 1995, and in 2011, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Her fascinating journey in the entertainment business is explored in her autobiography, “My Name is Love,” and in “Twenty Feet From Stardom,” a documentary that won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2014. Her rousing performance during the acceptance of the award received a standing ovation from Hollywood’s elite.
Tickets for this and all other summer concerts (with the exception of the free beach concert) are $48 for reserved seats, and can be purchased in person at Cape May Convention Hall or online at www.DiscoverCapeMayNJ.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capemaycity and follow us on Twitter @capemaycity. For more information, call (609) 884-9565.