The Flirtations had it all… the excitement, the gorgeous mod pop styles, great harmonies, and hot pop songs and arrangements. Everything but a hit record, but a fateful UK trip would change all that.
Originally calling themselves the Gypsies, sisters Shirley, Betty and Ernestine Pearce, and Viola Billups, hailed from South Carolina. Starting in 1964, the Gypsies recorded a handful of singles for the Old Town and Josie record labels. Although the singles were immaculately produced, they languished in the lower rungs of the R&B charts, mostly on the strength of local airplay.
In 1966 the Gypsies renamed themselves The Flirtations and released “Change My Darkness Into Light,” a popular Northern Soul dance tune. It was ignored by American DJs and sales suffered. The quartet then moved to Festival Records, where they released only one single before being dropped.
The group was at a crossroads. Betty Pearce left the group, reducing the Flirtations to a trio. After winning a Supremes sound alike contest, they packed their bags and left for England.
On the strength of “Change My Darkness Into Light” popularity in Northern UK dance clubs, they were signed to the Parrot label, a subsidiary of Decca, joining artists like Tom Jones and the Zombies as label mates. Although their only release received more airplay and recognition than their other singles, it did little to change their situation.
In late 1968 the trio were moved to Deram Records, the progressive/experimental imprint of Decca. They were in odd company with the likes of Ten Years After and the Moody Blues. Later that year they released what would become their signature recording: “Nothing But A Heartache” — a dense, dynamic, earth-shattering melodrama.
In early 1969 the record was released in the United States. In March “Nothing But A Heartache” entered the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #34 in May and remaining on the Hot 100 for a then-impressive 14 weeks. Reminiscent of mid-60s Martha and the Vandellas hit “Nowhere to Run” — the single is now generally regarded as a pop and northern soul classic.
The Flirtations still continue to record and have scored with numerous UK only club dance releases. They are currently touring Europe as part of an oldies show featuring the Vagabonds and the Foundations.
Enjoy this mega-cool video. Those outfits and hair-dos are too die for….
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The Flirtations – Nothing But A Heartache (1969)
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