Dee sharp chubby checker

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By early , Philadelphia's Cameo-Parkway record company had been going strong for more than five years but was sorely in need of a hitmaking female act to help balance out its male-idol-heavy roster led by top stars Chubby Checker and Bobby Rydell. Many women, mostly of the pop and teen variety, had recorded for the company Cameo's very first single release at the tail end of '56 had been by Arlene DeMarco , youngest of the singing DeMarco Sisters , but none clicked until Dione LaRue , a year-old gospel singer and session newcomer, showed up unexpectedly and through a unique set of circumstances struck gold - twice - in a matter of weeks, in the process establishing herself as a premier dance record artist, a counterpart to "Twist King" Checker. Born in , young Dione nicknamed "Dee" sang in church as a child and began a semi-professional career at age 13 after answering an ad for piano-playing singers; Willa Ward Moultrie , a formidable Philly-based gospel singer with The Ward Singers more famous sis Clara Ward included had run the ad and hired her for background work, providing a strong mentoring influence along the way. Attempts to start a singing group with friends at Overbrook High School attended by other future Cameo-Parkway stars including Len Barry of The Dovells and members of three-quarter girl group The Orlons never came together, so she opted to take a solo path to potential stardom. Having worked sessions for Philly's hottest labels, backing Frankie Avalon and Fabian at Chancellor and Freddy Cannon at Swan, Dee's big break came suddenly and spectacularly when she was hired for a Checker session at Cameo-Parkway in early

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Dee Dee Sharp's first solo release was to become her biggest seller and her signature song throughout a lengthy and notable career. With its success, the nation's first black female teen idol had arrived. The popular Philadelphia native had already tasted sweet success earlier in the same year. More top 10 hits would follow. Living in the city that was home to Dick Clark's iconic American Bandstand provided an extra boost for her career.