Patty Andrews

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Patty Andrews was the youngest of the three sisters who together formed the Andrews Sisters, an American close-harmony group from the swing era. She was born in 1918 in Minneapolis and sang the lead part. Her sisters were LaVerne, contralto, and Maxene, soprano. The sisters began as imitators of the Boswell Sisters, travelled the country with bands and in vaudeville, and in 1937 gained national attention with Bei Mir Bist Du Schön, a Yiddish song that was translated into English and released on Decca.

Music and breakthrough

One hit followed another, with Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out the Barrel) in 1939, Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar in 1940 and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy in 1941, an early example of jump blues. During the Second World War they performed for soldiers, sang in films such as Buck Privates and made records with Bing Crosby. In 1945 came Rum and Coca-Cola, based on a calypso from Trinidad, which introduced American listeners to the genre. The arranger Vic Schoen played a large part in their sound.

Influence

In the 1950s Patty began a solo career and temporarily split from her sisters. The group reunited in 1956, but the success of old did not return. Her sisters died in 1967 and 1995, Patty in 2013. Their voices have been emulated by Bette Midler, The Pointer Sisters and Christina Aguilera.

Listening