The Bobbettes were among the first successful girl groups of the rock era; in a field dominated by male artists, their 1957 hit "Mr. Lee" not only cracked the pop Top Ten, but also hit number one on the R&B charts. Originally dubbed the Harlem Queens, the group teamed sisters Emma and Jannie Pought with Laura Webb, Helen Gathers, and Reather Dixon; first meeting in 1955 while singing in the glee club at Harlem's P.S. 109, soon the girls were appearing at the ~Apollo Theater's legendary amateur nights, and through manager James Dailey, they landed a contract with Atlantic. Inspired by one of their school teachers, the Bobbettes' debut "Mr.