Goldie & The Gingerbreads

Formed in Brooklyn, New York, in 1963, Goldie and The Gingerbreads made their debut at the city’s famous Peppermint Lounge.

They were discovered by British group The Animals who, impressed by the quartet’s musical abilities, suggested they move to the UK.

Goldie (born Genya Zelkowitz in Poland), Carol McDonald (from Delaware), Margo Crocitto (from Brooklyn) and Ginger Panebianco (from Long Island) arrived in London in November 1964 and their debut single was issued the following year in the wake of successful appearances at the Flamingo and Crazy Elephant clubs.

Animals‘ keyboard player Alan Price produced the excellent Can’t You Hear My Heart Beat?, which became a UK Top 30 entry, but two further singles failed to achieve similar success.

The group toured with The Rolling Stones and The Kinks, but despite their undoubted talent and dexterity – Crocitto made several session appearances – they were unfairly perceived as a novelty.

The quartet split up in October 1965 when Goldie embarked on a solo career, but the remaining trio maintained contact and the group continued to record upon returning to New York, releasing Song To The Moon (1967).

They later re-emerged during the 1970s as part of Isis, an all-female group.

Goldie (Genya Zelkowitz)
Vocals
Carol McDonald
Guitar
Margo Crocitto
Organ
Ginger Panebianco
Drums