Born Eleanor Louise Greenwich on October 23, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, Ellie was destined for a life in music. At age 11 her family moved to Levittown, Long Island, where she picked up the accordion and began writing her own songs by the time she turned 13. Together with two high-school friends she formed The Jivettes, performing original material and covers at hospitals, schools, and charity events all across Long Island. After graduating from Hofstra University with top honors and a B.A. in English (she was also crowned Spring Queen), Ellie briefly taught high-school English. But the classroom couldn’t hold her. Music was calling.
In the early 1960s she teamed up with fellow songwriter Jeff Barry — who would later become her husband and creative partner. The duo walked into the legendary Brill Building and quickly became one of the most successful songwriting teams of the rock era. They discovered and signed a young Neil Diamond, producing many of his breakthrough hits and helping launch his legendary career. Working with producer Phil Spector, Ellie and Jeff also helped create the revolutionary “Wall of Sound” that defined 1960s pop.
Their string of unforgettable hits includes: -
"Be My Baby" – The Ronettes
"Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me" – The Crystals
"Leader Of the Pack" – The Shangri-Las
"Chapel Of Love"– The Dixie Cups
"Do Wah Diddy Diddy"– Manfred Mann
"Hanky Panky" – Tommy James & the Shondells
River Deep - Mountain High" – Ike & Tina Turner
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" – Darlene Love
In 1964 alone, seventeen Barry-Greenwich compositions charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Their songs sold tens of millions of copies and earned more than two dozen gold and platinum records.
Ellie also recorded and performed herself — as a solo artist and with her group The Raindrops — and provided background vocals on countless classic sessions. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1991 and posthumously into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 (with Jeff Barry),
Ellie’s influence continues to echo through generations. Her songs have been covered by everyone from the Beach Boys and Aretha Franklin to modern artists, and they still soundtrack movies, commercials, and holiday seasons around the world.
Ellie Greenwich passed away on August 26, 2009, but her music — joyful, heartfelt, and utterly timeless — remains as vibrant today as it was on the day it first hit the airwaves.
She didn’t just write songs. She gave voice to a generation’s dreams, heartbreaks, and unstoppable spirit.
Awards & Honors
Ellie Greenwich received numerous honors and awards throughout her career in recognition of her profound impact on popular music and songwriting.
Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2010)
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1991)
Received 25 Gold & Platinum Records
Inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame (2012)
Special award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame for "River Deep – Mountain High" presented by Sammy Cahn (1984)
Received 8 B.M.I. “Millionaire” Certificates (over 1 million airplays each) for: Be My Baby, Da Doo Ron Ron, Chapel of Love, Baby I Love You, Take Me Home Tonight (Be My Baby), Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Hanky Panky, And Then He Kissed Me
2 Clio Award Nominations for excellence in radio & television jingles
Clio Award winner for Levi’s Jeans “Be My Baby” commercial (Europe, 1991)
Advisory Board Member of the B.M.I. Foundation
Council member for the Songwriters’ Guild (1986–1990)
Recipient of the George M. Esterbrook Award from Hofstra University
Best Broadway Musical Award for Leader of the Pack from the New York Music Awards (1985)
Tony Award nomination for Best Musical (Leader of the Pack, 1985)
Grammy Award nomination for Best Cast Album (Leader of the Pack, 1985)
Elected to Board of Governors and Associate Trustee for the NY Chapter of NARAS (1986–1990)
Received key to the city of Houston, Texas – proclaimed “Ellie Greenwich Day” (1986)
Received key to the Town of Hempstead, NY – proclaimed “Ellie Greenwich Day” (1988)
Gold Member – National Association of Songwriters (NAS)
Touchstone Award from Women In Music (1998)
Selected as one of Newsday’s “Long Islanders of the Century” (2000)
Featured In
Ellie Greenwich’s work and story have been featured in numerous books, periodicals, and television programs.
Books & Periodicals
B.M.I. Magazine
Be My Baby
Behind The Hits
Dick Clark’s Rock, Roll & Remember
Girl Groups
Goldmine Magazine
He’s A Rebel
Ms. Magazine
New York Daily News Magazine
New York Magazine
New Yorker Magazine
Norman Nite’s “Rock On” Vol. I and II
Out Of His Head
People Magazine
Rock-A-Bye-Baby
Rolling Stone Magazine
Rolling Stone’s Illustrated History of Rock and Roll
Seventeen Magazine
The Phil Spector Story
Theater World – Vol. 41
Vogue Magazine
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Television Shows
“20/20” – ABC
CNBC
CNN
“DONAHUE” – NBC
“ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT” – ABC
FOX
“GOOD DAY NEW YORK” – FOX
“GOOD MORNING AMERICA” – ABC
“JUDITH LICHT SPECIAL” – FOX
“LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN” – CBS
“LIVE AT FIVE” – NBC
MTV
“OUR WORLD” – ABC
“TODAY” – NBC
VH-1