The Andrews Sisters

Three sisters sang in a group.

They were named LaVerne, Maxene, and Patty. They sang with many pretty sounds together. This is called harmony.

They had many famous songs. One song was called "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." They sold millions of records.

During a big war, they sang to help people. They visited soldiers to make them smile. They even sang at hospitals.

Many people still listen to their music today. They were very special singers.

Do you like to sing with your family?

The Andrews Sisters were a famous singing group. They were three sisters named LaVerne, Maxene, and Patty. They were known for close harmony. This means their voices blended together in a special way.

The sisters sold about 80 million records. They had many big hits. One famous song was "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Another was "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree."

During World War II, the sisters were very popular. They used their music to help others. They traveled to visit soldiers in many places. They sang at hospitals and military bases. They even helped start the Hollywood Canteen. This was a place where soldiers could rest and have fun.

The sisters sang with many famous people. One singer they worked with was Bing Crosby. Even though they had hard times, people still love their music. Many new singers still copy their style today. They were even put into a Hall of Fame for their great work.

The Andrews Sisters were a famous American singing group. They were known for their close harmony singing style. This means their three voices blended together perfectly. The group was made of three sisters: LaVerne, Maxene, and Patty. They sang music from the swing and boogie-woogie eras. These sisters became very popular during the first half of the 20th century. They sold an estimated 80 million records during their career.

Learning to sing was a big part of their lives. Patty was only seven years old when the trio formed. At age twelve, they won first prize at a talent contest. This contest was held at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. LaVerne played the piano to help her sisters sing. They started by imitating a successful group called the Boswell Sisters. Later, they found great success with Decca Records. Their first major hit was a Yiddish tune called "Bei Mir Bist Du Schön."

History shows the sisters were very active during World War II. Many people associate their music with those war years. They had many hits like "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree." The sisters also sang with the famous singer Bing Crosby. They traveled to places like Africa and Italy to entertain soldiers. They visited hospitals, military bases, and even munitions factories. They even helped found the Hollywood Canteen to give soldiers a place to rest.

Life was not always easy for the three sisters. They faced many hard times as a family. After their father's restaurant failed, they went on the road to support their parents. They also dealt with the loss of their parents in the late 1940s. These losses caused much sadness and led to a formal breakup in 1953. The sisters later reunited in 1956 to record more music. They even tried to sing newer styles like rock sounds in the late 1950s.

The sisters left a lasting mark on music history. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998. They also joined the Minnesota Rock/Country Hall of Fame in 2006. Many modern entertainers still copy their famous harmony style. Singers like Bette Midler, Christina Aguilera, and Pentatonix have recorded their songs. Even long after their time, people still acclaim their special talent. Their music connects the swing era to the singers of today.

The Andrews Sisters were a famous American singing group. They were masters of close harmony singing. This style involves voices blending closely together to create a rich, unified sound. The group consisted of three sisters: LaVerne Sophia Andrews, Maxene Anglyn Andrews, and Patricia Marie Andrews. They were major stars during the swing and boogie-woogie eras. Throughout their careers, they sold an estimated 80 million records.

The sisters' musical journey began in Minneapolis. LaVerne was born in 1911, Maxene in 1916, and Patty in 1918. Patty was only seven years old when the trio first formed. At age twelve, the group won first prize at a talent contest at the Orpheum Theatre. During these early years, LaVerne provided the piano accompaniment. The sisters initially started their career by imitating the Boswell Sisters. This successful group had been popular until their breakup in 1936.

Success came through specific musical collaborations and recording deals. The sisters worked with various dance bands and toured in vaudeville. They eventually signed with Decca Records, a move that helped them reach a national audience. Their first major hit arrived in 1937 with "Bei Mir Bist Du Schön." This song was originally a Yiddish tune. The singer Sammy Cahn translated the lyrics into English. The sisters harmonized the song to perfection, which led to a string of best-selling records. Key figures in their success included their parents, arranger Vic Schoen, and the founders of Decca, Jack and David Kapp.

During World War II, the Andrews Sisters became household names. Their music is still closely associated with these war years. They recorded many hits with military themes. These included "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," which is an early example of jump blues. They also sang "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" and "Three Little Sisters."

The sisters often performed with the famous singer Bing Crosby.

They traveled extensively to entertain Allied forces. They visited locations in Africa and Italy. Their performances took place at Army, Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard bases. They also visited hospitals and munitions factories to boost morale.

The sisters were also deeply involved in community service. They helped actress Bette Davis and actor John Garfield found the Hollywood Canteen. This was a famous retreat for servicemen in California. The trio volunteered their time to sing and dance for soldiers, sailors, and Marines. They also performed at the Stage Door Canteen in New York City. To support the war effort, they encouraged citizens to buy war bonds. They did this through their rendition of the song "Any Bonds Today?" They even recorded Victory Discs, or V-Discs, specifically for Allied fighting forces.

Despite their fame, the sisters faced significant personal and professional challenges. In 1945, their hit "Rum and Coca-Cola" caused some controversy. The song was based on a Trinidadian calypso. Some radio stations were hesitant to play it because of its lyrics and the mention of a commercial product. In the 1950s, the group began to fracture. Patty Andrews decided to pursue a career as a soloist. This decision led to a bitter two-year separation between the sisters. Patty attributed the group's 1953 breakup to the deaths of their parents in 1948 and 1949. The loss of their parents left all three sisters very upset.

The group attempted several reunions and changes over the following decades. They reunited in 1956 and signed with Capitol Records. During this time, they tried to incorporate newer rock sounds into their music. In the 1960s, they toured nightclubs in Las Vegas, California, and London. LaVerne died in 1967 after a battle with cancer. Following her death, Maxene and Patty continued to perform for a short time. Maxene later worked as a Dean of Women at Tahoe Paradise College. Patty also appeared on the television series "Here's Lucy" in 1969, performing a medley of their hits.

The legacy of the Andrews Sisters remains strong in modern music. They were inaugural inductees into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2006, they were added to the Minnesota Rock/Country Hall of Fame. Their close harmony style has been copied by many famous entertainers. These include Patti Page, Bette Midler, Christina Aguilera, The Pointer Sisters, and Pentatonix. Their ability to blend voices remains a standard for vocal groups today.