Post by Rob Durkee on Jan 31, 2013 23:05:34 GMT -5
By ROCKIN' ROBIN
Patty Andrews, the last surviving member of the Andrews Sisters, died Wednesday (January 30, 2013) in Northridge, California in the San Fernando Valley. She was 94. LaVerne Andrews died of cancer in 1967 while Maxene Andrews passed away in 1995.
According to Wikipedia, the Andrews Sisters were the most popular female vocal group of the first half of the 20th Century. They achieved that lofty status through selling between 75 and 100 million records on the strength of 113 chart hits from 1937 to 1955. They had 46 top 10's, a feat not even Frank Sinatra (45), Perry Como (42), Elvis Presley (38), Madonna (38) or the Beatles (33) could match. The only performer this writer can recall having more Top 10's in his career would be Bing Crosby with 63.
The Andrews Sisters helped get us through World War II with hit songs, including one ("Any Bonds today?") where they encouraged USA citizens to purchase United States Saving Bonds. Plus, they entertained USA soldiers via many overseas tours. In their career, which started when they formed in the mid-1920's, the Andrews Sisters made over 300 recordings for Decca Records alone and acted in 17 movies.
Although the majority of their hit songs have been long forgotten, there’s some notable exceptions. Their 1941 hit, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” would become a top 10 remake 32 years later in 1973 for Bette Midler. Plus, they did a slew of Christmas songs. With Bing Crosby, they did “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” With Guy Lombardo, they did “Merry Christmas Polka,” “Christmas Island” and “Winter Wonderland.”
The Andrews Sisters were inspired by the Boswell Sisters, who in 1934 recorded the song, “Rock And Roll.” In turn, the Andrews Sisters paved the way for 1950’s girl groups like the McGuire Sisters, the Fontane Sisters, the Lennon Sisters and the Poni-Tails. They also paved the way for 1960’s girl groups, among them the Supremes, the Shirelles, Martha and the Vandellas, the Angels and the Ronettes.
For more on the Andrews Sisters…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrews_Sisters
Patty Andrews, the last surviving member of the Andrews Sisters, died Wednesday (January 30, 2013) in Northridge, California in the San Fernando Valley. She was 94. LaVerne Andrews died of cancer in 1967 while Maxene Andrews passed away in 1995.
According to Wikipedia, the Andrews Sisters were the most popular female vocal group of the first half of the 20th Century. They achieved that lofty status through selling between 75 and 100 million records on the strength of 113 chart hits from 1937 to 1955. They had 46 top 10's, a feat not even Frank Sinatra (45), Perry Como (42), Elvis Presley (38), Madonna (38) or the Beatles (33) could match. The only performer this writer can recall having more Top 10's in his career would be Bing Crosby with 63.
The Andrews Sisters helped get us through World War II with hit songs, including one ("Any Bonds today?") where they encouraged USA citizens to purchase United States Saving Bonds. Plus, they entertained USA soldiers via many overseas tours. In their career, which started when they formed in the mid-1920's, the Andrews Sisters made over 300 recordings for Decca Records alone and acted in 17 movies.
Although the majority of their hit songs have been long forgotten, there’s some notable exceptions. Their 1941 hit, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” would become a top 10 remake 32 years later in 1973 for Bette Midler. Plus, they did a slew of Christmas songs. With Bing Crosby, they did “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” With Guy Lombardo, they did “Merry Christmas Polka,” “Christmas Island” and “Winter Wonderland.”
The Andrews Sisters were inspired by the Boswell Sisters, who in 1934 recorded the song, “Rock And Roll.” In turn, the Andrews Sisters paved the way for 1950’s girl groups like the McGuire Sisters, the Fontane Sisters, the Lennon Sisters and the Poni-Tails. They also paved the way for 1960’s girl groups, among them the Supremes, the Shirelles, Martha and the Vandellas, the Angels and the Ronettes.
For more on the Andrews Sisters…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrews_Sisters
