Lois Joyner, Lily Hammond, Lorraine Robinson and Margie Godbolt, formed in high school in Jersey City, USA as the Tiaras, they competed in local talent shows with friends Phil Terrell and Kool & the Flames (an early rendition of Kool & the Gang). They got a deal with MGM Records, supervised by Abner Spector (“Sally Go Round the Roses”), and changed their name to the Pets. The deal resulted in one single, “What Kind of Girl (Does He Think I Am)” b/w “Nobody (Knows How Much I Love You)” (1965). Oliver Hall wrote both sides, but MGM didn’t promote the single and they axed the Pets.
Phil Terrell introduced them to Winnie “Blue” Lovett of the Manhattans. Blue renamed them the Lovettes, wrote their material, and persuaded Joe Evans to sign them to Carnival Records.