Rosie’s story
Rosie Hamlin was the teenage singer and songwriter behind the 1960 classic “Angel Baby,” a song she first wrote as a poem to her high school crush and later recorded with Rosie and the Originals when she was only 15 years old. Her unforgettable voice helped turn the song into a beloved oldies anthem, especially within Chicano, Latino, and lowrider communities. More than six decades later, “Angel Baby” continues to reach new generations and has been covered by legendary artists including John Lennon and Linda Ronstadt.
Preserving Rosie Hamlin’s Legacy
Rosie Hamlin’s story deserves to be told because her voice, songwriting, and legacy helped shape a song that continues to live across generations. As a young Mexican American artist, Rosie wrote “Angel Baby” from a deeply personal place, only to later face a long battle over author rights and recognition for the music she created. Despite those struggles, the song never disappeared and it continues to resonate until this day. The song has been covered many times by artists across different genres, showing the emotional reach of Rosie’s songwriting. Rosie also became a trailblazer as the first Latina to appear on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and the first Latina artist honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame through its One-Hit Wonders exhibit. Angel Baby: To Rosie, With Love seeks to honor Rosie’s truth, preserve her legacy, and introduce her story to those who may know the song but not the young woman behind it.