On this special episode of Sitting in the Park, Bob Abrahamian steps away from sweet soul to spotlight the irresistible energy of up-tempo girl group records. Drawing from his deep collection, Bob spins classics and rarities by artists from Chicago, Detroit, Philly, L.A., and beyond. The playlist features everyone from The Marvelettes and Martha Reeves to lesser-known gems like The Gambrells, The Styllettes, and Gloria Gaynor’s debut. More than a nostalgic playlist, Bob’s curation captures the infectious drive, feminine power, and regional soul flavors that fueled dance floors and jukeboxes across mid-century America.
There’s a unique joy in hearing Bob Abrahamian talk about music—his voice carries reverence, curiosity, and above all, love. On this special Sitting in the Park broadcast from WHPK 88.5 FM, Bob set aside his usual dose of sweet soul to share something he’d clearly been saving for just the right moment: an all-out celebration of up-tempo girl group records. The result was more than just a setlist—it was a whirlwind tour through the golden age of feminine soul power.
Rather than frame the show around deep sorrow or heartbreak, as is often the tone in sweet soul, Bob chose records that pulsed with energy, hope, and the irrepressible urge to dance. This wasn’t just a change of pace; it was a showcase of a movement—one that blended harmony, sass, innocence, and grit across regional scenes from Chicago and Detroit to Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
He kicked things off with Mamie Galore’s “It Ain’t Necessary,” a no-nonsense Chicago stomper that set the tone for a night of empowered, beat-driven declarations. From there, the show unfolded with perfect pacing. He dropped tracks like The Gypsies’ “Jerk It” (a precursor to their later work as The Flirtations), The Marvelettes’ phone-line classic “Beechwood 45789,” and a surprising pick from white Cincinnati crooner Gary Diamond. This eclecticism showed Bob’s true intent: to blur lines and spotlight the cross-cultural energy that made girl group records so enduring.
Much of this music has been overshadowed by Motown’s titanic legacy, but Bob made sure to spotlight lesser-known contributors from Milwaukee (The Marjays), Toronto (Shirley Matthews & The Big Town Girls), and D.C. (The Jewels—who, as Bob shared, included a cousin of Billy Stewart). His ability to seamlessly connect these records, regardless of geography, painted a picture of a genre that was national in scope but intimate in impact.
Perhaps the most illuminating stretch came when Bob introduced what he called his “cheating set”—female-led tracks backed by male harmony groups. Songs like “Flashback” by The VIPs and “You Set My Soul on Fire” by The Buttons blurred the genre lines, offering a reminder that soul music’s magic often came from collaboration across gender, race, and regional scenes. It was a clever wink from Bob—one that highlighted how rules never defined great records.
One especially powerful moment came with his presentation of Gloria Gaynor’s earliest recording, “She’ll Be Sorry.” Known today as the queen of disco thanks to “I Will Survive,” Gaynor’s roots in raw, emotional soul are rarely discussed. Bob called the track his favorite girl group record of all time—and listening to him explain why, you felt why that mattered. This wasn’t just a trivia tidbit. It was a declaration of belief in music’s ability to evolve without erasing its past.
The broadcast wasn’t just a musical journey—it was an educational one. Bob sprinkled in bits of history with every track: George Clinton’s early songwriting for The Pets, Harvey Scales’ family ties to The Marjays, and Arlene Smith’s post-Chantels solo career. These weren’t throwaway facts—they were threads in a much larger tapestry.
And that tapestry is at the heart of what made Bob Abrahamian more than just a DJ. His careful, deliberate programming served as cultural preservation. Each 45 he played carried more than melody—it carried memory. Whether it was a Philly burner from Candy and The Kisses (“The 81”) or a Motown classic like Martha Reeves’ “In My Lonely Room,” Bob treated every spin like a resurrection.
What emerged from this episode was a new way to hear the girl group era—not just as background music for sock hops, but as a vital strand in the story of American soul. These were songs made by working-class women—many of them Black teenagers—who stepped into studios and carved out stories in harmony. Bob honored them not just by playing their records, but by framing their contributions with care, context, and heart.
In the end, Bob’s girl group episode didn’t just make you want to dance. It made you want to dig deeper. To ask who these women were, what cities they came from, what dreams they had—and what voices are still waiting to be heard.
Bob Abrahamian 00:00
Okay, you're tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM, Chicago. You're listening to the Sitting in the Park show. My name is Bob, and today I have a special show. I actually had a whole show planned out, and then just today, I decided to change it up. So I was running around trying to get my show together.
In the last few weeks, I’ve played lots and lots of sweet soul, and I decided to do something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time—bring in all my favorite female up-tempo dance records. These are like girl group, Motown-type sounds. So, you’ll hear a lot of Detroit, a lot of familiar records—actually some Chicago, and for some reason, a lot of Philly too.
I’m not taking requests today because I have the show all planned out. But if you want to call me, the number here is 773-702-8424. That’s 773-702-8424.
We're starting off the show with a record that Chicagoans should remember. This is Mamie Galore with It Ain’t Necessary.
Bob Abrahamian 12:58
Okay, you're tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM in Chicago. You’re listening to the Sitting in the Park show. My name is Bob. This show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Today I’m doing a special show, playing some of my favorite up-tempo girl group records—just the ones that have stuck in my head over the years. That last record was Jerk It by The Gypsies, which I think was a hit in ’65 or ’66. The Gypsies later became The Flirtations.
Before that, from New Jersey but written by George Clinton, The Pets with I Say Yeah. Before that, everyone knows this one—The Marvelettes with Beechwood 45789. Before that, actually a white singer from Cincinnati—Gary Diamond with Mama I Forgot.
And we started off with a Chicago record—that was Mamie Galore with It Ain’t Necessary.
Again, not taking requests today because I’ve got all these girl group records planned out, but it will be a good show if you like this kind of sound or Motown-y kind of sound.
If you want to call me, the number here is 773-702-8424. That’s 773-702-8424.
This next record is from Philly. This is The Styllettes with On Fire.
Bob Abrahamian 25:40
Okay, you're tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM, Chicago. You are listening to the Sitting in the Park show.
Today’s a special show where I’m playing some of my favorite up-tempo female group records. I hope you're enjoying the show.
That last record was from Milwaukee — The Marjays with Gotta Find a Way Out. Harvey Scales once told me one of his cousins was in that group.
Before that, from Detroit — Theresa Lindsey with Gotta Find a Way.
And the first three records in that set were from Philadelphia. Right before Theresa Lindsey, that was Joyce Bennett with The New Boy. Before that, The Love Notes with Beg Me. And we started that set off with The Styllettes with On Fire.
Okay, I've got a lot of great up-tempo girl group records coming up. Again, I’m not taking requests today, but if you want to call me, the number is 773-702-8424. I can take a request for a future show.
This next record is one people will definitely recognize — Martha and The Vandellas with In My Lonely Room.
Bob Abrahamian 40:00
Okay, you're tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM in Chicago. You're listening to the Sitting in the Park show. This show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., and it's also streaming online at whpk.org.
I also have archives of my show on my website, which is www.sittinginthepark.com. So if you like this show or any previous shows, you can go there — and you can also check out the interviews I’ve done with Chicago groups.
That last record was from Chicago — Shirley Wahls with Why Am I Crying.
Before that, from Detroit — a singer named Rosa with My Baby Knows Best.
From Philly — Cindy Gibson with I'll Always Love You.
From L.A. — Yvonne Carroll with Please Don’t Go.
And we started off that set with Martha Reeves and The Vandellas with In My Lonely Room.
Okay, I’ve got to give you some information before I play more music.
Do you want to have some fun with history? Log on to americaslibrary.gov. It’s history the way kids like it — cool films, pictures, startling facts — all just a click away from your home, school, or local library. That’s americaslibrary.gov. Log on, play around, learn something.
Also, if you're dealing with the daily struggles of caring for a loved one, visit aarp.org/caregiving for advice and support.
Another show you might like on this station is called The Dusty Party. That show happens every Thursday night from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. It has a rotating lineup of DJs who play soul, funk, blues, and jazz from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s — definitely worth checking out.
Okay, I’m still not taking requests today because I have the whole show planned out. Although, these girl group records are kind of short, so I might run out.
This next record is a group from Detroit called The Gambrells. This track is called Pain in My Heart.
Bob Abrahamian 53:19
Okay, you're tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM, Chicago. You’re listening to a special Sitting in the Park show where I’m playing some of my favorite up-tempo girl group records.
Those last two records were from Chicago — you just heard The Cavettes with You Broke Your Promise.
Before that, The Versalettes with Don Juan in Town.
Before that — I think from L.A. — The Ribbons with Ain’t Gonna Kiss You.
Actually from Toronto — Shirley Matthews and The Big Town Girls with You Can Count on That.
And we started off that set in Detroit with The Gambrells and Pain in My Heart.
Okay, I’ve got a couple sets left. If you want to call me, the number here is 773-702-8424.
This next record is actually probably my favorite girl group record of all time — it’s just so good. And it's actually Gloria Gaynor’s first record. This track is called She’ll Be Sorry.
Bob Abrahamian 1:08:52
Okay, you're tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM, Chicago. You're listening to the Sitting in the Park show. My name is Bob, and this show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Today is a special show because I’ve been playing some of my favorite up-tempo girl group records — the ones that have really stuck in my head over the years. Hopefully you’ve been enjoying the show.
That last record was from D.C. — that was The Jewels with their hit Opportunity. One of Billy Stewart’s cousins was in that group.
Before that, a group I know nothing about called The Orchids with That Boy Is Messing Up My Mind.
Before that, from Philly — Candy and The Kisses with The 81.
Before that, a singer named Charlie Mae with You Will Never Get Away.
Before that, Arlene Smith — the record says "formerly lead singer of The Chantels" — with Good Girls.
And we started off that set with what is probably my favorite girl group record of all time — it’s just so excellent — Gloria Gaynor’s first record, She’ll Be Sorry.
Okay, I’ve got one more set of records to go. I’m kind of cheating on this last set because they’re all female lead records, but they actually have male backing groups on them. But I’m still counting it as a girl group show — because it’s my show and I can do what I want.
This first record, everyone will remember. This is The VIPs with Flashback.
Bob Abrahamian 1:21:45
Okay, you are tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM, Chicago. You’ve been listening to a special Sitting in the Park show where I’ve been playing some of my favorite up-tempo girl group records — the ones that have stuck in my head over the years.
That last set was my "cheating" set, where I played girl-led records with male backing groups.
That last record was You Set My Soul on Fire by The Buttons — which also got released under the name The D.C.s and by a singer named Cecilia Moore. It’s all the same recording.
Before that, Edie and The Channels with Did I Hear You Right? — and supposedly that's the same Channels as Earl Lewis & The Channels.
Before that, Veretta and The Thomases with Breaking Hearts.
And we started off that set with The VIPs and Flashback.
I’m gonna send a shout-out to Sam Bell and to Ray and PJ from The Dusty Party — Thursday nights. You should check them out.
