The Three Degrees

ore than five decades on, the threesome has retained all three of their major qualities -- their beauty, their sparkling choreography and their precise vocal qualities. And, in between, they have amassed an impressive list of hit records. Today, the line-up consists of Valerie Holiday, Freddie Pool and Hazel Payne. The actual beginning of the group dates back more than 6 decades, when their then-manager, the enigmatic Richard Barrett brought three young teenagers together in Philadelphia. After a couple of years of constant rehearsing and local record hops, the group made its first mark on the recording scene by way of the Philly-based Swan Records. In 1972, they aligned their recording fate with Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International label and hit immediate paydirt in 1972 with "Dirty Ol’ Man". Soon after came "TSOP", which featured the ladies with MFSB. The following year came 'W