Cleveland, OH (Top40 Charts/ Beverly Ross) Fifty nine years after the release of her chart topping "Dim, Dim the Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)" recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives issues a Guide to the Beverly Ross Collection to help early Rock 'N' Roll scholars learn more about this unsung composer of Tin Pan Alley's Brill Building.
Prepared by Archivist, Anastasia Karel, the items housed in Ms. Ross's Collection include lead sheets, photographs, and copyright registration forms dating from her early career.
Historically significant not only because of her contribution to the songs of the '50s and '60s such as the Chordettes' "Lollipop," Leslie Gore's "Judy's Turn to Cry" (written with Edna Lewis), Elvis Presley's "The Girl of My Best Friend," and Roy Orbison's classic "Candy Man," Beverly's interracial duo Ronald & Ruby broke the color lines of the pre-Civil Rights Era.
Recently, Ms. Ross was honored with an interview at the Rock Hall during the EMP Pop Conference on April 20th which was followed by a book signing for her sensational "Gonzo journalism" style autobiography called I Was the First Woman Phil Spector Killed!
"Of course the title is a metaphor for how I felt when Phil Spector betrayed me back in the early days of my career," says Ross when asked about the book's evocative title.
The Rock Hall Library Collection is available for researchers. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
You can learn more about Beverly Ross and her contribution to Rock and Roll music at her website, https://beverlyross.info .
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