Rosetta Hightower

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Rosetta Hightower (born June 23, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American singer,and the former lead singer of the 1960s girl group The Orlons.

Rosetta's primary mark was the lead singer of The Orlons, the prime US girl group who scored several top 10 US hits between 1962-1964, including ‘The Wah Watusi,' ‘Don't Hang Up', ‘South Street,' and ‘Not Me.'

In early 1962, The Orlons provided back-up vocals on Dee Dee Sharp's ‘Mashed Potato Time’ (#2 Pop, #1 R&B). That spring, they recorded ‘The Wah Watusi’ which, in July 1962, made it in the Billboard charts to the #2 spot. At the same time they again provided back-up vocals on Dee Dee Sharp's second hit ‘Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)’ which went to #9. The follow-up to ‘The Wah Watusi’, ‘Don't Hang Up’ reached #4 Pop and #3 R&B in the fall and winter of 1962. The Orlons' first major performance was at New York's Apollo Theatre with The Crystals, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, Chuck Jackson, Tommy Hunt, and Gene Chandler. In 1963, they had hits with ‘South Street’ (#3 Pop, #4 R&B) and "Crossfire" (#19 Pop, #25 R&B).

She left the group in the late 1960s to pursue a solo career in the United Kingdom. Rosetta joined the ranks of the then-popular female session singers who backed many hit songs. This group included Madeline Bell, Lesley Duncan, Kay Garner, Kiki Dee, Liza Strike, and Sue and Sunny.

Moving permanently to England in 1970, Rosetta married musician producer Ian Green. She released numerous singles and at least 2 LPs. Her grandparents were Curtis Robert "Cutt" Hightower and Louise Moss Hightower of Augusta, GA. Her father was Charles Zendell Hightower, the brother of the late James T. Hightower.

Someone had reported that she had died aged 62 but this a false claim. She currently lives in South London.

Her son is Ian Green, Jr. who works as Paul Oakenfold's main co-producer and remixer.

See also

Philadelphia portal

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