leach was born in harlem and grew up in the morrisania neighborhood of the bronx in new york city. as a child she sang in church and in talent shows. in 1953, at the age of 16, she met harold johnson, john wilson and norman "polecat" brown at a party; they were singing in harmony, and she joined in. when the young men asked her to join their singing group, she was shocked: "girls didn't sing in the groups then. it was for the boys."