LaLa Brooks

Who is LaLa Brooks?

Dolores Brooks "Sakinah Muhammad" was a member of the girl group The Crystals. She is best known as the lead vocalist on their hits "Then He Kissed Me" and "Da Doo Ron Ron".

Brooks was the second youngest of 11 children, born to a full-blooded Native American mother and an African-American father. About her mother she once said: "I knew she was different when she couldn't comb my hair. She told me to ask a neighbor to do it. I have my father's kinky hair."

Brooks first displayed her talent by singing gospel music in church. At age seven, she took part in her siblings' gospel group called the Little Gospel Tears, where they sang in Brooklyn. While attending PS 73, she was discovered in an after-school program by Dolores "Dee Dee" Kenniebrew and her mother, who invited her to join the Crystals as a replacement for a departing member. Brooks accepted this invitation.

After leaving the Crystals, she married jazz musician Leo Morris in 1966; the union brought two sons and two daughters. Shortly thereafter, she converted to Islam with him, going under the name "Sakinah Muhammad". She then helped him write and record his material over the years. In 1968, she appeared in the original Broadway production of the musical Hair, where she performed the song "Aquarius". She would later appear in the Broadway show Two Gentlemen of Verona in 1971. She also toured with and recorded for various artists; made short appearances in films; and contributed songs to different movie soundtracks. In 1971, she reunited with Kenniebrew, Mary Thomas, and Barbara Alston as the Crystals and toured and performed in rock-&-roll revival shows. Their touring lasted until 1973 when the members decided to devote their time to their families.