Darlene Love was born Darlene Wright on July 26, 1941, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up singing gospel in her father’s church, developing the rich, commanding voice that would later make her one of the most sought-after session singers of the 1960s. By her teens, she had joined a local girl group called The Blossoms, whose tight harmonies and versatility soon made them fixtures in the L.A. studio scene. In 1962, producer Phil Spector discovered Darlene Love and The Blossoms, recruiting them into his stable of musicians for his “Wall of Sound” recordings. Love’s big break came when Spector had her record “He’s A Rebel”, credited to The Crystals even though The Blossoms performed it. The single shot to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, instantly making Love one of Spector’s go-to vocalists. Her soaring lead vocals would also anchor hits like “He Sure Is The Boy I Love” (again credited to The Crystals) and “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” by Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans. Though she often didn’t receive proper credit, her voice became one of the defining sounds of early 1960s pop. Darlene Love’s name became forever linked to the holiday season thanks to her powerful rendition of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” on the 1963 Spector produced album “A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records”. Leon Russell was the pianist for the song, and it was written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. The song became a perennial classic, and Love famously performed it annually for nearly 30 years on David Letterman’s late-night shows. Throughout the 1960s, Love’s voice graced countless recordings, often without her name on the label. She sang backup for Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick, The Righteous Brothers, and many others. The Blossoms were also regulars on the television show “Shindig!” and appeared in the 1966 concert film “The Big T.N.T. Show”. By the 1970s, the hits had slowed, and Love stepped away from music, taking on work as a house cleaner to make ends meet. But her talent was too great to remain in the background forever. In the early 1980s, she staged a comeback, appearing in the Broadway musical “Leader of the Pack” and reestablishing herself as a solo performer. Love also branched into acting, appearing in all four “Lethal Weapon” films as Danny Glover’s wife, Trish Murtaugh, and in stage productions such as “Hairspray” and “Grease”. Over time, Love’s role in shaping the sound of the 1960s received long overdue recognition. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, with Bette Midler giving the induction speech. She was also prominently featured in the 2013 Oscar winning documentary “20 Feet from Stardom”, which told the stories of background singers who made history without always getting credit. Darlene Love’s career is a testament to perseverance, talent, and the enduring power of a great voice. From uncredited hits to holiday traditions and Broadway stages, she has influenced generations of singers and helped define the golden age of girl group pop. Even now, when her voice soars through “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, it carries not just the spirit of the holidays, but the story of an artist who refused to be forgotten.