KWXY Presents ● Music and a Classic Interview with The Andrews Sisters
The Andrews Sisters - 1 January 1943 Ad on page 3 of the Billboard 1943 - Author Unknown
The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews, soprano Maxene Anglyn Andrews, and mezzo-soprano Patricia "Patty" Marie Andrews. The sisters have sold an estimated 80 million records and are forever a part of the music of the WW II era.
The Andrews Sisters’ mainstream impact on American music history starts with the WW II jump blues song written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", which was introduced by The Andrews Sisters in 1941 in the Abbott and Costello comedy film, Buck Privates. The Andrews Sisters' Decca recording reached number six on the U.S. pop singles chart in the spring of 1941 when the film was in release. The song is ranked No. 6 on Songs of the Century, and Bette Midler's 1972 recording of the song also reached the top ten on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Another WW II era song is the Andrews Sisters version of the popular calypso song "Rum and Coca-Cola" composed by Lionel Belasco with lyrics by Lord Invader was a hit in 1945. The Andrews Sisters' version was the bestselling song of the year and the 3rd biggest seller of the decade in the United States. At the time, the song was controversial and was banned by network radio stations as it specifically mentioned an alcoholic beverage and hinted at prostitution. Also, the very fact the song mentioned a commercial product by its name also meant it could be construed as free advertising when broadcast.
The Andrews Sisters' harmonies and songs are still influential today and have been copied and recorded by entertainers such as Patti Page, Bette Midler, and Christina Aguilera.
78 RPM picture sleeve for "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" Single by The Andrews Sisters/DECCA Records
Listen to a Classic Interview with The Andrews Sisters on The Wink Martindale Show today at 1pm on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com