LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and many accomplish-
ments of Ellie Greenwich, one of the greatest songwriters of all time

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to the memory of those individuals whose creative talents
contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of the citizens
of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body, repres-
enting the people of the State of New York, to pay tribute to the life
and many accomplishments of Ellie Greenwich, one of the greatest song-
writers of all time, who died on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, at the age
of 68; and
WHEREAS, Born on October 23, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, Ellie Green-
wich was instrumental in shaping and popularizing the "girl group" sound
of the early 1960s that included such acts as the Ronettes, the Shan-
gri-Las and the Crystals, becoming, in the process, one of the most
respected pop songwriters of the era; and
WHEREAS, She met budding songwriter Jeff Barry and, following a
release as Ellie Gee And The Jets, the couple formed the Raindrops in
1963; the group enjoyed a US Top 20 hit with "The Kind Of Boy You Can't
Forget"; and
WHEREAS, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry enjoyed a sustained period of
success with a series of notable compositions, including "Do Wah Diddy
Diddy" (the Exciters/Manfred Mann), "I Wanna Love Him So Bad" (the Jelly
Beans) and "Hanky Panky" (Tommy James And The Shondells); and
WHEREAS, Collaborations with Phil Spector generated hits for the Crys-
tals ("Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me"), the Ronettes ("Be My
Baby" and "Baby, I Love You") and Ike and Tina Turner ("River Deep -
Mountain High") while work with Shadow Morton reaped commercial success
for the Shangri-Las, notably "Leader Of The Pack"; and
WHEREAS, She re-emerged in the 1980s as a performer in the acclaimed
biographical revue, Leader Of The Pack; a new generation of acts,
including Nona Hendryx, Cyndi Lauper and Ellen Foley, have recorded her
songs, insuring Ellie Greenwich's position as one of pop's finest
composers; and
WHEREAS, Survived by her sister, Laura Weiner, and her niece, Jessica
Weiner, Ellie Greenwich leaves behind a tremendous legacy of music for
her fans; her distinguished talent merits the recognition and tribute of
all of the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the life and many accomplishments of Ellie Greenwich, one of
the greatest songwriters of all time; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Ellie Greenwich.