Your Music, My Music, Our Music: Cincinnati Women Musicians at King Records and Today

The Jewels

The Jewels (Sandra Bears, Grace Ruffin, and Margie Clark) were Doo-Wop group that had a hit single, "Opportunity," on Dimension in 1964. In 1965 they signed a contract with King Records subsidiary, Federal, and began a year of touring with James Brown. 

Doo-Wop groups were rooted in Black communities. Originally calling themselves the Impalas, the Jewels sang in school and church. The were mentored by Bo Diddley, a friend of Grace Ruffin's brother Paul; they sang back-up on "Bo Diddley is a Lover" produced by Phil an Leonard Chess in 1961. Bo Diddley was part of a neighborhood and family culture that nurtured the Jewels' creativity.

In 1967, James Brown produced "This is My Story" on Federal.

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