It was the ‘60s and Love was in the air. Coming out of transistor radios, hi-fis, juke boxes and record store speakers, the voice of Darlene Love could be heard everywhere, although few knew it was her they were hearing.

Love, who performs Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Payomet Performing Arts Center in North Truro, spent her early career primarily as a backup singer. Songs by Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, The Beach Boys and Ike and Tina Turner were all enhanced by Love’s vocals. Even Elvis and Sinatra called upon Love and her group The Blossoms to add dimension to their recordings and live performances.

But Love wasn’t simply a backup singer, “Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry” and the holiday classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” are among the songs she recorded under her own name, and it was Love who sang lead on girl group hits such as “He’s a Rebel” and “He’s Sure the Boy I Love,” songs that were recorded by the Blossoms, but were instead credited to The Crystals by the song’s producer, Phil Spector. (Click here for full article)