Picture: Bette and Darlene Love
Ellie Greenwich has the key to hit songs, so listen up
By Lisa Davies
SYDNEY, June 25 AAP – Everyone has their own view on what makes a hit song but Ellie Greenwich’s is backed by a pretty impressive record.
Greenwich has written some of the most catchy and successful singles of the past 40 years, including Be My Baby, And Then He Kissed Me, Do Wha Diddy Diddy, Chapel of Love, River Deep Mountain High, and Leader of the Pack.
Some of these songs have been recorded and rerecorded by artists like Elton John, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, Bette Midler, Cher, Celine Dion, John Lennon and even Australia’s own Jimmy Barnes.
Now Australian audiences will learn even more about the prolific songwriter, as her life is depicted in the show Leader of the Pack – The Ellie Greenwich Musical.
The musical first opened on Broadway in 1984 and its first Australian run will star veteran John Paul Young, Trisha Noble, Dieter Brummer and Hayley Law when it opens in Sydney tomorrow.
Greenwich is in Australia for the first show but she’s being kept completely in the dark about this adaptation.
She wasn’t even allowed to see the stars in costume at today’s media preview.
Greenwich said she was still amazed her songs had such longevity.
“I certainly never expected this, not ever, it’s amazing,” she said outside the musical’s rehearsal today.
But Greenwich is less in awe of the music being generated today, and doesn’t hold out much hope of some modern tracks having a similar shelf life to hers.
“I think a song is a song, no matter when a good song is a good song, but unfortunately there are fewer of those today,” she said.
“A good drum beat a good song does not make.”
Greenwich believes catchiness and an obvious hook line are the keys to success.
Leader of the Pack – The Ellie Greenwich Musical opens at Sydney’ s Star City Showroom tomorrow.
