Phil Spector, who wrote and produced this song and sang backing vocals on it at the age of 19, was a horrible human being and eventually a convicted murderer. Which makes it almost unfortunate that this song is awesomely wonderful. Lead singer Annette Kleinbard's wistful voice is a major part of this, of course.
The Teddy Bears were all graduates of Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California. "To Know Him Is To Love Him" apparently cost $75 to record. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 in the UK and sold over two and a half million copies. Further releases by the group were not successful; in 1960, Kleinbard was seriously injured in a car accident and Spector disbanded the group.
Spector, of course, went on to a successful and notorious career that ended with his incarceration. Ms. Kleinbard changed her name to Carol Connors and has had an accomplished career as a songwriter; she is best-known for co-writing "Gonna Fly Now", which appeared in the movie Rocky. The third member of the group, Marshall Leib, became a singer and producer and was one of the members of the Hollywood Argyles.
Created September 30, 2026.