The Andrews Sisters on the cover of the reissue collection The Best of the Andrew Sisters: The Millennium Collection. From left to right _ Maxene, Patti and LaVerne.
They started their career as imitators of an earlier successful singing group, the Boswell Sisters. After singing with various dance bands and touring on Vaudeville, they first came to national attention with their recordings and radio broadcasts in 1937. Their music entertained Allied troops worldwide during World War II, sold war bonds, appeared in several films, and performed for soldiers serving overseas. During this period they recorded many songs with Germany after the labels had been changed to read "Hitler's Marching Songs."
After a brief hiatus after the war, the sisters regrouped, performing in clubs throughout the United States and Europe. Their last appearance together was in 1962 on The Dean Martin Show. Laverne, who had cancer, retired soon after; she died five years later, in 1967.
After a long silence, the two surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded a cover of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Maxine and Patti appeared both together and separately throughout the 1970s, with Maxine releasing a solo album in 1986. Throughout their long career, the sisters had sold over 60 million records. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Hit records
Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen (1937)
I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time (1941)
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (1941)
Don't sit under the Apple Tree (1942)
Rum and Coca_Cola (1944)
Underneath the Arches (1948)
Here Comes Santa Claus (1950)
External links
Andrews Sisters Official Website (http://www.cmgww.com/music/andrews/)
The AndrewsSisters were a group of singing sisters: LaVerne Andrews (contralto; 1911-May 8, 1967), Maxene Andrews (high harmony; 1916-1995) and Patty Andrews (lead; born 1918).
They started their career as imitators of an earlier successful singing group, the Boswell Sisters.
After a long silence, the two surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded a cover of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Maxine and Patti appeared both together and separately throughout the 1970s, with Maxine releasing a solo album in 1986.
The most successful female group in the history of popular music, the AndrewsSisters will always be associated with World War II.
Born and raised in Minnesota, the sisters began their professional career in 1933, touring with the Larry Rich vaudeville troupe.
Their unique vocal arrangements and tight harmonies quickly made the sisters one of the most popular musical acts in the country, with a string of hits and regular appearances on radio.