In 1959, 14-year old Bernadette Carroll joined up with Lynda Malzone and sisters Barbara and Jiggs Allbut to form The Starlets. They made a few recordings for a small record label but, soon disbanded, leaving the door open for Bernadette’s solo career.
Under the guidance of music impresario Bob Gaudio, Bernadette recorded several singles, including “My Heart Stood Still.” The song did not chart nationally, buy it did register at Number 4 on a year end survey conducted by radio station WHYN 560 AM in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Bernadette became a popular back-up vocalist for national acts like Connie Francis, Patty Duke and Frankie Valli. She can be heard (along with Denise Ferri and Peggy Santiglia) backing up Lou Christie on his chart-topping hits “Lightning Strikes” and “Rhapsody in the Rain.”
In 1968, Bernadette reunited with her former Starlets bandmates, this time as The Angels. She toured with the group for a year.
Bernadette passed away at her Florida home in October 2018 at the age of 74.