Starting out in the late 1950s as a member of New York vocal groups the Hearts and the Jaynetts, Justine "Baby" Washington waxed her first solo records, "The Time," "The Bells" and "No One Cares" for Neptune Records in 1959. She delivered her songs in an intimate, beyond-her-years world-weary style not unlike that of Stomp favorite Barbara Lynn, and after a stint at ABC Paramount, she signed with Sue Records where she cut 1963's fantastic "Leave Me Alone," as well as Billboard Top Forty hit "That's How Heartaches Were Made." Dusty Springfield acknowledged Washington as her favorite singer, and we are hardly surprised!

By Mike Hurtt

Watch "Where the Girls Are," featuring Baby Washington, Chris Clark and Maxine Brown.

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