This New Orleans-based duo comprised:
Shirley Goodman (b. 19th June 1936, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. d. 5th July 2005, Cedar Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.)
and
Leonard Lee (b. 29th June 1936, U.S.A. d. 23rd October 1976, U.S.A.)
Shirley and Lee were probably best remembered as the singers of the song 'Let The Good Times Roll.
Prior to the passing of Leonard Lee in 1976, Shirley formed the group Shirley and Company, who scored with the hit 'Shame, Shame, Shame'.
Shirley was married, and had one son.
She attended school with Leonard Lee and was teased about her vocal delivery, with her father telling her it 'put him on edge'!
Shirley and Lee asked Cosimo Matassa, at his studio in New Orleans, if they might record a song.
Matassa agreed and the duo cut 'I'm Gone'.
The song was later remade and hit the number 2 spot on the U.S. R & B Charts.
The duo also recorded 'Shirley, Come Back to Me', 'Shirley's Back', 'The Proposal', 'Lee's Goofed' and 'Feel So Good'.
They were presumed to be a couple although Shirley was, actually married to a builder in 1955.
'Let the Good Times Roll' turned out to be their biggest success, crossing over to the Pop Charts.
The duo recorded up until 1963, after which Shirley undertook session chores for the likes of Sonny and Cher, Dr John, The Rolling Stones and Jackie DeShannon.
shirley's credit on the rolling stones 'exile on main street' album liner notes
Shirley & Lee were briefly reunited in 1972, after Shirley had recorded with several other artistic partners, including Shirley & Jesse, who recorded the song 'Ivory Tower'.
Sylvia Robinson then asked Shirley if she would record 'Shame, Shame, Shame', along with the All Platinum artist Jesus Alvarez.
The song became an international disco hit.
Shirley Goodman passed away on the 5th of July 2005.
Albums:
Let The Good Times Roll (Aladdin Records 1956)
Let The Good Times Roll (Imperial Records 1962)
Legendary Masters Shirley & Lee (EMI Records 1974)
Happy Days (Manhattan Records 1980)
Respectfully Yours (Manhattan Records 1980)
The Best Of Shirley & Lee (Ace Records 1982)
