After Dinner Speakers: The Flirtations, Helen Austin, David Dimbleby

A British-based R&B female group, who originally came from New York City, New York, USA. The Supremes were extremely popular during the late 60s, and record companies were keen to record any female groups who sounded like them. The Flirtations were the beneficiaries of this phenomenon. The members were sisters Shirley and Earnestine Pearce and Viola Billups. The Pearce sisters had earlier been in the Gypsies, but after minor success the group broke up. Recording in England for Deram Records, the Flirtations had a notable US hit in 1969 with a Supremes-styled number, "Nothing But A Heartache" (number 34 pop), which sounded rather retrograde in the soul market, where it did not chart. The track later became a favourite in Northern Soul clubs.