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The Andrews Sisters

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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 Andrews Sisters 1952
The Andrews Sisters 1952

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."

Apple Tree Andrews Sisters
Apple Tree Andrews Sisters

The sisters often performed with the famous singer Bing Crosby.

Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters

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.

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File:Apple Tree Andrews Sisters.jpg
Apple Tree Andrews Sisters.jpg
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File:Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.jpg
Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.jpg
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