Editing The Crystals (section)

==="Real" Crystals return===
Though it is unclear as to the level of their participation in "(Let's Dance) The Screw", the 'real' Crystals definitely began recording again under their own name in 1963. However, Thomas had departed to get married, only to join another mildly successful group, the Butterflys, along with another original Crystal, Myrna Giraud. This reduced the group to a quartet. Alston, known for her shyness and stage fright, was never comfortable with being out front, stepped down from the lead spot giving it to [[Dolores "LaLa" Brooks]]. According to Brooks, she had been doing Alston's leads in their live shows for a while.

After "(Let's Dance) The Screw", the group's next release was "[[Da Doo Ron Ron]]". The song was a top 10 hit in both the US and the [[United Kingdom|UK]], as was the follow-up single "[[Then He Kissed Me]]", with lead vocals also sung by Brooks. Both these songs were actually recorded by Brooks, the Blossoms and other session singers (including a young [[Cher]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-104-hes-a-rebel-by-the-crystals/ | title=Episode 104: "He's a Rebel" by "The Crystals" | date=November 16, 2020 }}</ref> Brooks also flew out to Los Angeles to record tracks for the seasonal album, ''[[A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records]]''. 

At the start of 1964, the Crystals flew to the UK for their first [[Europe|European]] live shows. "Then He Kissed Me" soared to number 2 in the UK,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> and the Crystals also headlined the TV programs ''[[Ready Steady Go!]]'', and ''[[Tonight at the London Palladium]]''.