Who were the classic girl group artists?

Question: Who were the classic girl group artists?

Answer: Believe it or not, not all the classic girl group members are girls, and not all of the classic girl group artists are groups! Any performer who works in the style is considered part of the genre. Here's a breakdown.

The Classic Motown Girl Groups: The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, The Marvelettes, The Velvelettes
The Classic Phil Spector Girl Groups: The Crystals, The Ronettes, The Blossoms, The Paris Sisters
"Brill Building" Girl Groups: The Shirelles, The Chiffons, The Exciters, The Dixie Cups
Other Classic-era Girl Groups: The Shangri-Las, The Angels, The Cookies, The Murmaids, The Toys, The Jaynettes, The Blue-Belles
"Girl Groups" that contained some men: The Orlons, Ruby and the Romantics, The Ad-Libs, The Raindrops, The Sensations
"Girl Groups" who had important hits before the Girl-group Era: The Chantels, Kathy Young and the Innocents, Rosie and the Originals, The Poni-Tails, The Bobbettes
Solo females who performed in a Girl-group style: Cilla Black, Claudine Clark, Petula Clark, Skeeter Davis, Jackie DeShannon, Earl-Jean, Shirley Ellis, Betty Everett, Shelly Fabares, Connie Francis, Annette Funicello, Lesley Gore, Carole King, Kathy Kirby, Linda Laurie, Barbara Lewis, Little Eva, Darlene Love, Lulu, "Little" Peggy March,Barbara Jo Mason, Hayley Mills, Sandy Posey, Diane Renay, Linda Scott,Dee Dee Sharp, Sandie Shaw, Millie Small, Joanie Sommers, Dusty Springfield, Connie Stevens, Tammi Terrell, Sue Thompson, Carla Thomas, Doris Troy, Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Timi Yuro