This month we remember
Rosa on her birthday, October 23--her first one in Heaven. We humbly ask you, our friends and fans, to contact your preferred
oldies station (terrestrial and/or online) to request your favorite Dixie Cups song--"Chapel of Love" or "Iko Iko," or any
track that you love--and ask that the song be dedicated to Rosa. The email address for 60s Gold on SiriusXM is FEELGOOD@SIRIUSXM.COM if you'd like to start
there. Thank you for all of your support during the past few months and always. May Rosa's memory be a blessing to all who
love her.
Rosa
Lee Hawkins
1945
- 2022
Dear friends,
With a heavy heart we share the news that our beloved Rosa Lee Hawkins went to be with the Lord
on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. She was a mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend as well as a performer, songwriter,
and model - runway - formal and informal. She became a modeling instructor, first for Barbizon School of Modeling in New Orleans,
LA and, after Hurricane Katrina, for John Casablanca Modeling School in Tampa, Florida. Rosa was a kind-hearted lady who will
be missed by all of us who loved her.
Thank you all for your love and support.
~The Dixie Cups
Please
feel free to leave your condolences in the guestbook for Rosa Lee Hawkins
on Legacy.com.
If
you would like to pay tribute to Rosa's memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to MusiCares. This organization "helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world ... Offering
preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community"
(text from the MusiCares website). There are two ways to donate:
*Via the MusiCares website—Family members
and friends can visit https://www.musicares.org/donations to make a donation through the website. Please check the box stating “Give in honor or in
memory” on the first page. This will enable donors to note Rosa’s name, as well as provide an email address to
receive notification of the donation immediately. The donor will also receive their tax receipt immediately, as donations
to MusiCares are tax deductible. *Via check—Family members and friends
can similarly donate via check. Donors should note in the memo Rosa's name and that it is a donation in her honor. They will
receive their tax receipt within a few months. Donation checks may be mailed to our LA office at the following address: MusiCares Attn: Business Affairs 3030 Olympic Blvd. Santa Monica,
CA 90404
MAY
2022
The
Dixie Cups extend sincere thanks to the fans who attended their shows in New Orleans on April 24 and May 1, 2022--the French
Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival respectively. Barbara Hawkins is grateful for those who
came out to support her as she performed for the first time without her sister, Rosa, who passed in January of this year.
In addition, a special thank-you to the hundred or so fans who remained in place at the FQF even after it started raining
during the Dixie Cups' set; your presence was noticed and greatly appreciated. Fans and supporters like you are the reason
the Dixie Cups will continue performing and making personal appearances. It was Rosa's wish that we carry on and keep the
music alive. We appreciate you all for your dedication and support.
SPECIAL NOTE
Dear
friends,
The
love and support from all of you on the passing of our beloved Rosa Lee Hawkins has been truly overwhelming. New shows are
being added to the Dixie Cups' itinerary, and Barbara Hawkins will be most grateful to the friends and fans who come
out to show their support as she performs for the first time without her sister. Please scroll down (or visit the Concerts page) for details on upcoming appearances.
The Dixie Cups join
other legendary artists from the Doo Wop era for a trip back to the '50s and '60s to revisit the best years of our lives.
There's nothing better than seven nights full of our favorite hits! Come join us as we bring back the memories of those incredible
years of sock hops, poodle skirts and hula hoops. The cruise experience will feature exclusive artist interactive events,
including Q&As and panel discussions, wine tasting, vow renewal, game shows, and more! And remember, if you have sailed
with the Malt Shop Memories Cruise in the past, you're entitled to receive their Alumni rate--the lowest rate currently available.
Where and when
Sailing: October 30 – November 6, 2022 Ports
of Call: From Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Half Moon Cay, San Juan, and St. Thomas Ship: Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam
NEW
(2021): Chapel of Love: The Story of New Orleans Girl Group the Dixie Cupsby Rosa Hawkins & Steve Bergsman. Click on the title to order your copy directly from the publisher! Also available
for purchase from major online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble; links below.
From
the publisher: Chapel of Love: The Story of New Orleans Girl Group the Dixie Cupsexplores the ups and downs of one of the most successful girl groups of the early 1960s. Telling their story for the
first time, in their own words, Chapel of Love reintroduces the Louisiana Music Hall of Famers to a new audience.
Chapel of
Love is also available as an e-book. Click on the graphic below to visit the product page on
Amazon, read a sample from the book via Kindle's "Look inside" feature, and order your copy in either format (e-book
or hardcover).
Also
available from Barnes & Noble in hardcover or Nook (e-book) format.
Wall Street Journal review by
David Kirby - tweeted by co-author Steve Bergsman. (Note--if the tweet below is not displaying properly in your browser, please click here to see it on Twitter.)
A message
for all first responders from The Dixie Cups
(Note—if
video does not appear below, please click here to view on YouTube.)
MARCH
2020
To
Everyone in America: Trust God, hold on to your faith, wash your hands, stay safe, stay home.
We love
you. Thanks for being there for us.
~The
Dixie Cups
To the
farmers, truck drivers, stock clerks, cashiers, wait staff, cooks, chefs,
table bus persons, servers, grocery stores
and markets and anyone who handles food for all — THANK YOU for all you do to feed everyone!
The official
webpage, linked above, outlines the criteria for inclusion
in the National Recording Registry. The section reads, in part:
"Recordings selected
for the National Recording Registry are those that are culturally, historically or aesthetically important,
and/or inform or reflect life in the United States."
If it's as clear to you
as it is to us that "Chapel of Love" meets these criteria, please consider nominating it for inclusion in the LOC National Recording Registry. Doing so will take just a few minutes' time, and your assistance will be invaluable
in helping to get this wonderful recording on the registry where it truly belongs. Methods of submission appear
in the right sidebar of the webpage. The preferred (and most efficient) methods are via email or by completion of the
National Recording Registry Nomination Form, but you can opt to send in your nomination by fax, postal service, or courier.
Below is a sample letter to the
Library of Congress. It is not necessary to copy the letter (although you can do so if you wish); just please ensure that
all requested items are included.
Sample letter for nomination of
"Chapel of Love" to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry:
To
Whom it May Concern:
I
am writing to you today to nominate "Chapel of Love" by the Dixie Cups for induction into the Library of Congress National
Recording Registry. The rationale for this nomination includes the fact that the song enjoyed crossover appeal in both the
Rock 'n' Roll as well as Rhythm & Blues music genres when it was released in 1964. "Chapel of Love" also holds the distinction
of ending the Beatles' record-setting run at the top of the Billboard, Cash Box, and Record World music charts.
"Chapel
of Love" was the first song recorded and released on Red Bird Records for Leiber & Stoller, legendary songwriters. The
song was written to capture the idyllic aspirations of a young bride seeking the perfect wedding and life ever after. Its
lyrics go to the heart of love and commitment, which remains relevant over 50 years after its original release. "Chapel of
Love" has been featured in films, broadcast, as well as live productions since its release. Additionally, it remains very
popular among brides who continue to incorporate the song as part of their wedding day musical selection.
"Chapel
of Love" captures the spirit of love and commitment and has lasting impact in the hearts and minds of fans of all ages worldwide.
For these reasons, "Chapel of Love" should be strongly considered by the Library of Congress National Recording Registry for
induction in the next class.
Sincerely,
(Above) "Chapel of
Love" as performed by The Dixie Cups (Joan Johnson, Rosa Hawkins, Barbara Hawkins) in 1964.
Composer credits:
Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector
If embedded video
does not appear, click here to watch
Monday, November 21, 2016
The Dixie Cups would like to thank
everyone for all of the condolences they received about the passing of their friend, cousin and co-founder Joan Johnson. Your
messages, telephone calls and emails were truly appreciated.
Sincerely, Barbara Hawkins Rosa
Hawkins Athelgra Neville
Saturday, October 8, 2016
It is with sorrow and heavy hearts
that we announce the passing of our cousin, dearest friend and co-founder of The Dixie Cups, Joan Marie Johnson. Joan passed
on Monday, October 3, 2016 at her home in New Orleans surrounded by family and friends.
Joan was one of The Dixie Cups as
teenagers in the New Orleans music scene. From the beginning, Joan was an integral part of the girl group, who would later
become the award-winning trio of New Orleans divas to replace the legendary Beatles at the top of the music charts, with their
classic "Chapel of Love."
Joan will forever be part of our
history as she participated in some of our legendary performances during the peak of the 1960s music scene. Unfortunately,
management and health concerns led Joan to leave the music industry and return home to New Orleans where she could concentrate
on her health.
The world has lost a classy lady,
who had a magnificent sense of humor, a radiating smile, and was truly one of the best people we know. We will love you forever!
THE DIXIE CUPS
Barbara Hawkins Rosa Hawkins Athelgra
Neville
(June
2015) The Dixie Cups and Chapel of Love on the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) website: The songwriters, producers and musicians behind ‘Chapel of Love’ explain
why it wasn’t the Crystals’ version or the Ronettes’ recording but the Dixie Cups’ charmer that topped
the charts for three weeks in June 1964
Scott Shannon is just a jewel. He's funny and informs you of rock 'n' roll history
on a daily basis. He's on the air from 10:00 a.m. on. He likes to receive emails, so, to request your favorite oldies (including
songs by The Dixie Cups!), email him at Scott@TrueOldiesChannel.com
Oldies Are Now - Interview from May 2011 (on Blog Talk Radio)
The Dixie Cups - Biography
The Dixie Cups originally consisted of sisters Barbara and Rosa Hawkins with their cousin, Joan Johnson.
They were pursuing a singing career in their native New Orleans under the name The Meltones. Singer/entertainer Joe
Jones ("You Talk Too Much"), who discovered the girls at a talent show, brought the trio to songwriter-producers Jerry
Leiber and Mike Stoller at New York's Brill Building. Leiber
and Stoller, liking what they heard,
decided to sign the girls to a recording contract - and, with the decision having been made to start a new label to
launch the new group, Red Bird Records was born. The powerhouse songwriting team of Jeff
Barry and Ellie
Greenwich, who'd been working
with Leiber and Stoller, joined Red Bird as composers/producers.
IMPORTANT
NOTE: The Dixie Cups' official website (this site) is accessible via the above URL, thedixiecups.org.
The old URL, thedixiecups dot net, IS NO LONGER OWNED by The Dixie Cups and should not be used.
Please change your bookmark to www.thedixiecups.org . (Webmasters - If
you have a link to The Dixie Cups' site, please ensure that it is to the dot org URL (above) and NOT the dot net address.)
