Rachel Rachel

Rachel Rachel was a Contemporary Christian Rock musical group that was active in the early 1990's. The AOR group is best known as the first American female Christian rock group in the history of CCM. Members included Cheryl Jewell (lead singer), Heli Sterner (lead and rhythm guitars), Brynn Beltran (keyboards), Jennifer York (bass), and Jennifer "Sparky" Sparks (drums). Robin Spurs replaced Jennifer York on bass when York left the group after their first album
Rachel Rachel was first envisioned by bass player Jennifer York while working for a radio station in New York City. She felt that the Lord told her to go to California to play bass, and to start an all-girl rock band. York knew that finding female rock musicians was not going to be an easy task, but talented musicians found their way into each of the needed roles. Lead singer Cheryl Jewell was discovered as the secretary of York's manager, Bob Angelotti. A recent convert to Christianity, Jewell gave up several secular opportunities to join Rachel Rachel. Heli Sterner, a talented guitarist and strong vocalist, and Brynn Beltran, also a strong vocalist and keyboard player, soon also joined the band, and the group began to produce demos. White Heart producer and guitarist Billy Smiley heard one of these demos and began to help the group to prepare material for their first album. The last member of the original band to be recruited was Jennifer "Sparky" Sparks, who would play drums for the band until they disbanded in 1994.