Leaders of the Pack

"Says Warwick, 'Even from the very beginning, their songs are a little more adult in the themes,' such as in the songs 'Where Did Our Love Go' and 'Stop in the Name of Love.' These grown-up themes contrast with The Shangri-Las singing healsongs about teenage drama. 'At Motown, The Marvelettes, The Velvelettes, groups like that, are much more clearly identified as teenagers,' she says, 'and arguably that's why The Supremes had more longevity. They were able to transition into becoming adults with greater ease.'"

Katy June-Friesen in Smithsonian magazine traces the history of girl groups.