Patty Andrews, the sole surviving member of the WWII era group, The Andrews Sisters turns 91 today.
The Andrews Sisters originated from Minnesota and were a unique harmonizing group due to their ability to vocalize their singing at volume levels that could compete with big band brass sections and not be drowned out by them.
This was an extremely challenging thing to do and because they did it so well (not to mention they sounded great regardless) they became just as popular an act as the instrument-driven big bands. So much so that they were viewed as competition by some big band leaders of the era but became so popular that they eventually performed with virtually all of them.
Along with older sisters Laverne and Maxine, Patty Andrews, who was only 7 years old when they started, became lead singer. Before their career as a group ended in the late 1960s, the Andrews Sisters secured numerous records yet unbroken in the annals of pop music.
Inclusive are:
The Andrews Sisters originated from Minnesota and were a unique harmonizing group due to their ability to vocalize their singing at volume levels that could compete with big band brass sections and not be drowned out by them.
This was an extremely challenging thing to do and because they did it so well (not to mention they sounded great regardless) they became just as popular an act as the instrument-driven big bands. So much so that they were viewed as competition by some big band leaders of the era but became so popular that they eventually performed with virtually all of them.
Along with older sisters Laverne and Maxine, Patty Andrews, who was only 7 years old when they started, became lead singer. Before their career as a group ended in the late 1960s, the Andrews Sisters secured numerous records yet unbroken in the annals of pop music.
Inclusive are:
- Sales at or potentially exceeding 100 million records (out of only 600 songs)
- 113 charted singles of which 46 reached the top 10
- 47 songs recorded with Bing Crosby (making them #2 behind Bing by 1949)
- First female group to sell 1 million records (1937) earning them a gold record
- Appearances in 17 Hollywood films
- Sales exceeding chart stats of Elvis Presley and The Beatles
In 1937, their first million-selling record Bei Mir Bist Du Schon (To Me, You Are Beautiful) had even gained popularity with the Nazis who managed to smuggle their records into Germany during World War II.
As if that wasn’t enough, these “Sweethearts of the Armed Forces Radio Service” helped many a GI get through the turbulence of World War II by constantly performing on-air and live at bases, in war zones and at ‘stage door canteens’ around the world. Through their singing in radio commercials, they also encouraged America to buy bonds to help fund the war effort.
Their biggest hits include:
As if that wasn’t enough, these “Sweethearts of the Armed Forces Radio Service” helped many a GI get through the turbulence of World War II by constantly performing on-air and live at bases, in war zones and at ‘stage door canteens’ around the world. Through their singing in radio commercials, they also encouraged America to buy bonds to help fund the war effort.
Their biggest hits include:
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
- I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time
- Shoo-Shoo Baby
- Don’t Fence Me In (w/ Bing Crosby)
- South America, Take It Away (w/ Bing Crosby)
- Here Comes The Navy (Beer Barrel Polka) (w/ Bing Crosby)
- Pistol Packin’ Mama (w/ Bing Crosby)
- I Can Dream, Can’t I?
- Take Me Out To The Ballgame
- Rum And Coca-Cola
The Andrews Sisters left a lasting impact on generations of imitators and singers to come, including The McGuire Sisters, The Pointer Sisters, Bette Midler (who made Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy her own in 1972) and most recently, inspiring Christina Aguilera’s 2007 hit Candyman, which she performed in WWII fashion live in New York’s Times Square on Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year’s Eve.
Soundtrack For Today: Rum & Coca-Cola by The Andrews Sisters
Soundtrack For Today: Rum & Coca-Cola by The Andrews Sisters
(either/or both song & drink and #1 on this date in 1945 – cheers, Patty!)
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