Today’s somewhat obscure classic song of the day comes from a group of siblings called the Paris Sisters. The song is a forgotten Girl Group classic called “My Good Friend.”
“My Good Friend” was written by Paris sister Priscilla Paris. The legendary Jack Nitszche, who did a lot of work with producer Phil Spector, did the arrangement and also, with Jimmy Bowen, produced the record.
The single was released in 1966. Despite its uptempo Wall of Soundish Girl Group vibe (and backing by members of the Wrecking Crew), it didn’t go anywhere. That’s a shame; “My Good Friend” is a great-sounding record.
Hailing from San Francisco, the Paris Sisters consisted of youngest sister and lead singer Priscilla, oldest sister Albeth, and middle sister Sherrell. The girls got their start singing at local Air Force showcases and got their first recording contract in 1953, with the Cavalier label. They switched to the Decca label after a few years, then to Imperial, then to Gregmark,. That’s when Phil Spector entered the scene, refocused the group on Priscilla’s lead vocals, and produced several decent hits, including 1961’s “I Love How You Love Me.” The girls later parted ways with Spector and signed with the Reprise label, which released “My Good Friend.”
The Paris Sisters had trouble adapting to the changing music scene in the ’60s and broke up in 1968. Albeth moved into television production, Sherrell became the personal assistant to Bob Barker on The Price is Right, and Priscilla moved to Paris (the one in France) and pursued a solo career. That career was cut short in 1978 when she was in a serious auto accident that resulted in partial facial paralysis.
Priscilla Paris passed away in 2004 after a fall in her home in France; she was 59 years old. Older sister Albeth passed away in 2014, in Palm Springs, California; she was 79. Sherrell is still with us; she turns 85 this year.
