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Maxene Andrews
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Maxene Andrews was born in 1916 and was the soprano of the Andrews Sisters, an American vocal group from the swing and boogie-woogie era. Together with her sisters LaVerne, the alto, and Patty, the mezzo-soprano who sang lead, she grew into one of the most popular groups of her time. They began as imitators of the Boswell Sisters, performed with dance orchestras and in vaudeville, and came to national attention in 1937 with recordings and radio broadcasts. Their arranger Vic Schoen and the founders of Decca Records, Jack and David Kapp, had a large share in that.
Music and breakthrough
In the years of the Second World War the sisters had hit after hit, also together with Bing Crosby. Their hit from 1941, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, has remained the best known. They performed for Allied troops in Africa, Italy and the United States, recorded V-Discs for the armed forces and sang Any Bonds Today? to sell war bonds. The tight close harmony of three voices, the swinging rhythms and the boogie-woogie bass became their trademark.
Influence
After LaVerne's death in 1967 Maxene and Patty parted ways. Maxene became a college dean and taught troubled young people. When Bette Midler covered Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy in 1972, attention returned, and in 1973 the sisters appeared on Broadway in the musical Over Here! In 1993 her album Maxene: An Andrews Sister appeared. She died in 1995. The Andrews Sisters were later inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and their style has been imitated by others, from Bette Midler to Pentatonix.