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The Dynamites (also known as Baltimore's Dynamites) is the stage name for a rhythm and blues group formed by three women. They are singer/songwriters are famous throughout Baltimore, with several large billboards throughout the city. They perform regularly at the Red Fox Lounge, but they do special "one night only" performances on The Corny Collins Show's Rhythm and Blues Day, and at the Baltimore Eventorium.[1]

Inspiration[]

Maybelle stands by the music chart

Marvelettes on the chart

The Dynamites were based on 60's R&B girl groups like The Supremes, The Vandellas, and The Marvelettes.[2] The latter of these groups is referenced in 2007 movie. Behind the host's podium on The Corny Collins Show is a chart displaying the top songs. The Marvelettes appear at number seven with their 1961 hit, "Please, Mr. Postman."

This song was the first Motown song to hit number one on on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] It would later be covered by white artists, The Beatles, who changed the writing credit on the song, not crediting the original writers of the song.[4]

Hairspray (2007 film)[]

The Dynamite are first seen on screen performing "The New Girl in Town"on The Corny Collins Show's "Negro Day." The song starts off being performed by Amber, Tammy, and Shelley before cutting to The Dynamites. Station manager, Velma Von Tussle, furious that The Dynamites performed the same song her daughter had earlier that week, confronts Motormouth Maybelle, stating, "how dare you pick the same song!" To which Motormouth Maybelle responds, "they wrote it." In response, Velma threatens to cancel "Negro Day."

The theft of black artists' music, was common in the 1950's and 1960's.[5] White artists commonly covered the songs of black artists.[5] When those songs later became hits, black artists did not receive royalties.[5][6] All three of the groups that The Dynamites are based off ended up suing their record label for stolen royalties.[7][6]

The Dynamites at Red Fox Lounge

The Dynamites on a billboard mentioning Red Fox Lounge

In the movie, the lack of respect shown to The Dynamites despite their hard-earned success, the attempted theft of their original song, and Velma's threat are used to highlight the systematic oppression of black artists in Baltimore.

The Dynamites on WYZT billboard

The Dynamites on a WYZT billboard

WYZT considers The Dynamites enough of a draw to give them two (possibly three) billboards advertising their one night only appearance. Not only that, but these billboards were placed in white areas of town.[8] Nonetheless, Velma, and WYZT as a whole, has no problem disrespecting their guest stars and threatening to cancel their platform.

The Dynamites later appear on TV again during their second song, "Welcome to the '60s."[8]

The Dynamites on a mural

The Dynamites on a mural

Hairspray (musical)[]

In the West End production of Hairspray, and the NBC live special, The Dynamites are named Pearl, Peaches, and Cindy Watkins and are students at Patterson Park High.

In other versions, they are named Judine, Kamilah, and Shayna (after the originators of the roles) and are not students.[9]

In both versions, The Dynamites are regular guests on The Corny Collins Show's "Negro Day."

Their main song is "Welcome to the '60s."

Songs[]

References[]

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