The summer night of June 23, 1963, the air was warm, not a breeze blowing, I was on my last break of the night, I could hear her singing off in the distance, within minutes she was walking up the block towards me, our eyes met, I stumbled and stammered to make conversation, I was in love before the night was done, this young girl had captured my heart, this young girl with the voice of an Angel. The Ronettes just released their first hit...."BE MY BABY" which soared to the top of the charts.

This became "OUR" song:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ONH3hIjO3c

ENJOY

Another great song, The Ronettes were a great group, I have some of their records somewhere around, haven't listened to a 45 in years, today with CD's, its not the same, I remember going up to Fordham Rd. as soon as a new 45 came out, I'd run with my allowance to buy as many as I could.

Jose, its nice that you can tell us all about your time with your Angel, those years I missed when she changed schools. She was a really good person, I enjoyed listening to her sing, she had a very happy personality. Always smiling.

Jose, this song was made for you and your Angel, although I didn't know her, I can see her singing this song for you, you two must have been a great couple together, and no matter what you did in the past, I'm sure she must have realized that in the end you truly did care and love her. I know how much you miss her, but she is always with you in your heart.

I can remember when that song came out, the minute she heard it, she was like, this is "IT" this is "our" song, she started singing it all the time, I was already out of the group, but every now and then she'd ask me to join in with rehearsals. I hated this song, I was jealous because she was soo happy, and I again screwed up, she was on top and I was out the door.

Today when I hear this song that was "your" song I can't help but think of my BFF and think how stupid I was behaving at the time, too late to take it all back, but I do regret it.

The night we met I knew I needed you so, and if I had the chance I'd never let you go, so won't you say you love me
I'll make soooo proud of me, we'll make them turn their heads every place we go, so won't you pleassseeee, be my be my by my little baby, be my darling now. I'll make you happy just wait and see, for every kiss you give me, I'll give you three, oh, since the day I saw you, I ave been waiting for you, you know I will adore you for all eternity.

Rest in peace my BFF K

M, when that song came out, it was near the top of the charts, everyone wanted to be like the Ronettes, including my Angel, but you already know that, she wanted to have a hit record, just like all the other girl groups that she loved. The closest she came was being a back-up singer on sooo many records out of Philly, it would make your head spin, of course, with no label recognition as sooo many other singers have done before her. Her love of music was part of her, part of her soul, part of her being. Her mother also was a very good singer, but chose another path in life, which I'm sure she was happy with.

"Be My Baby" means more to me now, years later, as I've aged, my outlook on life is sooo different, yes, we've both done stupid things, we didn't see it at the time, but, K could see it a mile away, and try to turn the tides as they say. Too bad, someone couldn't have turned the tides for her before it was too late.

"So won't you please be my be my be my little baby, say be my darling, be my baby now, ohhhhhhh, oooohhh be my be my be my baby,ohhhhh"

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jose Antonio,

Jose, sometimes you reduce me to tears, we both loved her soooooo much, if I had known what was to be, I'm sure that both of us, would have tried to do something. She had such a impact on so many people, not just from the neighborhood but anyone that she touched, I'm a better person for having her in my life, I'm sure that even "Mr. Stupid" would say that she was a favorable impact in his life, I'm sure that she brightened his otherwise, boring, life.
She brought a ray of sunshine into any room that she walked into, and to think that this "lunatic" played with her feelings, made all this nice, nice talk, I'll never understand how she didn't see through him, I'll never understand this whole thing. She could tell a phoney a mile away, "jerkoff" must have been one smooth talker, I hope that theirs no other "stupid" women out there, hanging onto his every word.......Beware of Wolves in Sheeps Clothing, ladies.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: paradise53,

I was doing something at the house the other morning and all of a sudden on the radio came "our song" I just stopped what I was doing and closed my eyes, back to 1963 I went, I could see her standing there, for a moment time stood still, my heart pounded, and in a instant she was gone. rest in peace my angel.

Its 45 yrs since this song was released by The Ronnettes, and even today every time I hear the intro, I stop dead in my tracks, no matter what I'm doing, I stop.......so won't you say you love me, I'll make you soooooo proud of me, we'll make them turn their heads, every place we go, soooooooo won't you be, be my be my be my little baby, say, be my darling, be my baby nowwwwwww, you can't imagine how very proud I was to have her for my own, I was the lucky Puerto Rican who won the heart of that cute German girl, back then my heart was soooo full of love for her. Back then I would hold my head high as we walked the avenue and she would hold tight my hand, as if to reassure me that everything was alright. She was the German Princess of 183rd St. and I was soooo lucky to have her love.

Reading all these threads it shows how much you loved this girl, its funny how over the years you realize what you had then, only to lose it.
Although you marry different people and are in love with that person, there is still a little part of your heart reserved for that "special" someone from long ago. I think everyone has a "spot" for that special someone. I know I do.
Its like you have a special secret that only you hold dear to your heart. Yes, Jose, you were lucky and so was she, you both had each other.

I'm back up North for a "birthday party" for my Angel, today about 50 people gathered to celebrate my Angels birthday. Family and friends have come together to remember a good mother,grandmother,greatgrandmother and entertainer. Many have told stories of when she was a youngster, cousins have told stories of growing up with her, the only female among them. Classmates and friend have told about her growing up in the Bronx, her days around Arthur Ave and Fordham. We've laughed and cried, we've bi*ch*ed and yelled because she is no longer with us. Today I as years before say with a heavy heart, "Happy Birthday My Angel" I love and miss you with all my heart.

Jose, what can I say, the whole weekend was just wonderful as always, you and your helpers had everything under control, the food was great, the albums were fantastic what a tribute to K., knowing her as I did I know that she would be red in the face at all the attention. Even the trip into the Bronx was fun, and walking those same blocks, we used to walk, now soooo different, getting to go to my old apt. was sooo sad, memories of what once was, and the changes at K. house, all in all a great weekend with great friends and extented family.

I truely put my heart and soul into this every year, and you know I get some help from her strong group of friends. Thanks to Donna for some of the pictures that she was able to send me, thanks to her cousin who gave me sooo many pictures that his mom had and he is now the keeper of. To the catering company, the party planners......great job. And to her family and friends, this was a great weekend, we laughed we cried and we paid tribute to a Bronx girl legend in her own right. 194* a Angel was born.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Angel, may she rest in heaven and know that she is loved and missed.

08/27......My beloved K. who when I first saw her, I knew she was going to be my one true love.

I've been reading this thread and I'm confused, are your Angel and The Innocents one and the same? Bring me up to date on this thread if you will.

PM me and I will explain. My Angel was lead singer of The Innocents....not to be confused with Kathy and the Innocents of A Thousand Stars.

I'ma soooo happy thata you gotta to New York andda visita me andda my cousina Mario, youra gooda man Jose, youra sons theya nicea boys, justta likea their papa. Ita nicea meeting youra friends, youra Angel she bea looking overa you all, gladda you finda timea to visit.

Tony, it was good seeing you again, as always the food is out of this world. My sons enjoy coming to New York with me, they love the place.
Some of the people that were with me, were long time friends of my Angel during her days in the Bronx. Seems like I never have enough time to spend in the Bronx, but just being there for a few hours brings back wonderful memories.

Wow, what a complex story, and a sad one at that, now I understand some of the posts that are here, seems like everyone loved your girlfriend/wife?? I don't think I ever saw them in concert, I'm sure they were very good. Thanks for bringing me up to speed, I was lost for awhile.

Joanie, my Angel had a voice of a Angel, when she sang everyone listened. She was a wonderful person, and everyone that knew her, adored her. For awhile we had a good life together, we parted, reunioned at the end, and I carry on her legacy, her singing group continues to perform in many states. She lives in our hearts.......always.

What a fine tribute to your "Angel" you seem to have a good heart, may she remain in your heart.