Uploaded January 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
The Bobbetts, from Spanish Harlem in New York City, originally called themselves The Harlem Queens. They met while singing at a school Glee Club, and then after being discovered by a record producer, they were signed to a recording contract with Atlantic Records. The group, ages 11 to 13, wrote and recorded "Mr. Lee" in 1957 as an insult to a teacher they disliked at the school they attended. However, feeling it was too negative, Atlantic Records told the girls to revise it into a loving tribute to him. The song made the Bobbetts the first female group to have a #1 R&B hit, and a Top 10 American Pop hit and helped pave the way for future female vocal groups. The song was featured in the 1986 film Stand by Me, and a cover of the song appeared in the movie American Hot Wax. The Bobbetts later recorded a sequel called "I Shot Mr. Lee" on an independent label. Eventually, Atlantic Records did release the original lyrics version of "Mr. Lee"
The Bobbetts, from Spanish Harlem in New York City, originally called themselves The Harlem Queens. They met while singing at a school Glee Club, and then after being discovered by a record producer, they were signed to a recording contract with Atlantic Records. The group, ages 11 to 13, wrote and recorded "Mr. Lee" in 1957 as an insult to a teacher they disliked at the school they attended. However, feeling it was too negative, Atlantic Records told the girls to revise it into a loving tribute to him. The song made the Bobbetts the first female group to have a #1 R&B hit, and a Top 10 American Pop hit and helped pave the way for future female vocal groups. The song was featured in the 1986 film Stand by Me, and a cover of the song appeared in the movie American Hot Wax. The Bobbetts later recorded a sequel called "I Shot Mr. Lee" on an independent label. Eventually, Atlantic Records did release the original lyrics version of "Mr. Lee"
