HWOF

Left to right: Maxene, Patty, LaVerne

Source: Wikipedia

The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group, consisting of sisters LaVerne Sophia Andrews (contralto; July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967), Maxene Angelyn Andrews (soprano; January 3, 1916 – October 21, 1995), and Patricia Marie (a.k.a. Patty) Andrews (mezzo-soprano; lead; born February 16, 1918). All were born in Minnesota.

During World War II, they entertained the Allied forces extensively in America, Africa and Italy, visiting Army, Navy, Marine and Coast Guard bases, war zones, hospitals, and munitions factories. They encouraged U.S. citizens to purchase war bonds with their rendition of Irving Berlin’s song Any Bonds Today?. They also helped actors Bette Davis and John Garfield found California’s famous Hollywood Canteen, a welcome retreat for servicemen where the trio often performed, volunteering their personal time to sing for and dance with soldiers, sailors and Marines (they did the same at New York City’s Stage Door Canteen during the war). While touring, they often treated three random servicemen to dinner when they were dining out. They recorded a series of Victory Discs (V-Discs) for distribution to Allied fighting forces only, again volunteering their time for studio sessions for the Music Branch, Special Service Division of the Army Service Forces, and they were dubbed the “Sweethearts of the Armed Forces Radio Service” for their many appearances on shows like “Command Performance”, “Mail Call”, & “G.I. Journal.”

Both surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded her own version of their song “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” in 1972. Their most notable comeback, however, was in the Sherman Brothers’ nostalgic World War II musical: “Over Here!” which premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theater in 1974 to rave reviews. This was a follow-up to Patty’s success in “Victory Canteen” a 1971 California revue. The musical starred Maxene and Patty (with Janie Sell filling in for LaVerne and winning a Tony Award for her performance) and was written with both sisters in mind for the leads. It launched the careers of many now notable theater, film and television icons (John Travolta, Marilu Henner, Treat Williams, Ann Reinking, et al.). It was the last major hurrah for the sisters and was cut short due to a lawsuit initiated by Patty’s husband against the show’s producers, squashing an extensively scheduled road tour for the company, including the sisters.

• Origin: Minnesota, United States
• Years active: 1925 (1925)–1967
• Website: www.cmgww.com/music/andrews

Read more about The Andrews Sisters at Wikipedia or at the Internet Movie Database

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