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The Andrews Sisters

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

The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony vocal group from the swing and boogie-woogie era. The trio consisted of the sisters LaVerne (contralto), Maxene (soprano) and Patty (mezzo-soprano), born in Minneapolis to a Greek-Norwegian family. Patty, the lead singer, was seven when the trio began. When their father's restaurant went bankrupt, the sisters took to the road to support the family. They began as imitators of the Boswell Sisters, sang with dance orchestras and performed in vaudeville.

Music and breakthrough

In 1937 they became nationally famous with Bei Mir Bist Du Schön, a Yiddish song with English lyrics by Sammy Cahn, released by Decca. Beer Barrel Polka (1939), Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar (1940), Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (1941), Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (1942) and Rum and Coca-Cola (1945), which introduced the American public to calypso, followed. The arranger Vic Schoen and the founders of Decca, Jack and David Kapp, had a large share in the success. They were at their peak during the Second World War, and are still associated with those years. They are estimated to have sold eighty million records.

Influence

The sisters sounded tight and cheerful, with three voices singing close together over a swinging rhythm. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy is regarded as an early example of jump blues. Later Patti Page, Bette Midler, The Pointer Sisters and Pentatonix took over their style, and in 1998 they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and notice how the three voices trade short, quick phrases above the boogie-woogie rhythm.

Discography

Studio albums

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