Rosalie Méndez Hamlin
Singer, songwriter, and painter — the voice behind the 1960 doo-wop classic “Angel Baby.”
The song that endured
“Angel Baby” has endured for decades as one of rock and roll’s most beloved songs. John Lennon recorded his own version in 1973, released on Menlove Ave.; Linda Ronstadt covered it in 1996; and Led Zeppelin referenced it in the liner notes of Houses of the Holy. The song has appeared in dozens of films and television shows, introduced to new generations again and again.
In 1995 Rosie became the first Latina inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Rosie gave three years to the Jerry Lewis Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy, and held fundraisers for United Way in Hemet, Casa Ramona in San Bernardino, the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, the Barrio Station in San Diego, and the campaign for Ritchie Valens’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She passed away on March 30, 2017, leaving behind a legacy of music, art, and generosity. Rosalie was a loving sister, mother, and grandmother who loved the outdoors and fishing, laughing and being mischievous, and painting in her studio — the author and singer of the love song “Angel Baby,” whose angelic voice inspires people from every culture around the world.
We welcome you to the official “Angel Baby” website. Please come in and stay awhile. Inside you can discover the soul, the voice, and the timeless sound of Rosie and the Originals’ “Angel Baby” and how it became a classic love song around the world.
Read Rosie’s Memoir. Newly added sections include The Films, The Covers, and a complete Timeline of her career. The Lyrics hold a mix of her songs and poetry, and the Photo Album gathers pictures of entertainers, DJs, friends, and family.
There is a lot to see here, so take your time. Visit Rosie’s paintings — authentic oil on canvas — and stop by the Honors, Awards, and Highlights of her performances.
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