The Blossoms, an American girl group, were formed in 1954 under the name The Dreamers in Los Angeles, California. The original members included Annette and Nanette Williams, Gloria Jones, Fanita James, Jewel Cobbs, and Pat Howard, who met at Fremont High School in Los Angeles. Initially singing spirituals due to parental restrictions on secular music, they were introduced to other musicians by Dexter Tisby of The Penguins. Their first singles with Richard Berry at Flair Records included a cover of "At Last" and original compositions. In 1957, the group signed with Capitol Records, which renamed them The Blossoms. Nanette Williams left in 1958, replaced by Darlene Love, who took over lead vocals. The Blossoms provided background vocals for Sam Cooke's "Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha" in 1959 and had a significant breakthrough with the hit "He’s a Rebel", released under The Crystals' name in November 1962. They became Phil Spector's favored studio band, contributing to hits like "Johnny Angel" by Shelley Fabares, "Monster Mash" by Bobby Pickett, and "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes. In 1964, Jean King joined, and they appeared on Shindig! and in the film T.A.M.I. Show. Their only album, Shockwave, was released in 1972. Darlene Love left in 1974, and Jean King passed away in 1983. Fanita James kept the group active until 1990. The Blossoms were featured in Morgan Neville's Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom in 2013.
