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The Andrews Sisters, Three-Part Harmony

© Tim Lasiuta

My earliest memories of the Andrews Sisters are tied at the hip with Abbott and Costello. Appearing in In The Navy, Buck Privates, and Hold That Ghost, they spruced up an already incredible movie. Why do I remember them? Did I have a crush on them? No. Did I feel sorry for Wilbur and his fondness for Patty? No. I loved the aura they projected of 'homey' entertainment. Their music was incredible, and still is. But there was something about those three girls...

The Andrews Sisters were born to Peter and Olga Andreas (Andrews). Peter was a tough father who always insisted on 'family'. Later, after both their parents' deaths, the sisters fell apart as a result of the loss of such a stabilizing factor.

Decidedly not overnight successes, LaVerne, Patty, and Maxene were busy vaudeville entertainers at an early age. From as early as age 12, Patty and her siblings hit the road to support their family. Years of struggling brought them in contact with Larry Rich, Lou Levy, Vic Shoen, and Decca Records. They performed from Hawaii to New York, and East to West, doing as many as 45 shows in a week during their training years. Their USO work took them overseas, and to bases throughout the United States, earning them the distinction of being the Number One wartime entertainers. Their music was the soundtrack of the war. Songs such as 'Rum and Coca Cola', 'Nice Work If You Can Get It', 'Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen', 'Ciribiribin', 'Beer Barrel Polka', 'The Jumping Jive', 'Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree', 'Pistol Packing Mama', and many others were jukebox staples around the nation. One in three songs played on jukeboxes were Andrews Sisters songs, and made them and Decca an international success. Their 605 recordings resulted in 113 being charted by Billboard, and for 13 years, from 1938 to 1951, they appeared on the best recordings lists and most popular artists rankings.

Their 18 movies were not exactly 'classic', but featured their current recordings and served to supply their fans with more Andrews material. They were very active in the radio industry as well, with their radio shows which ran until 1951. TV was also ground broken by the trio, and their performances always garnered good reviews.

Their break up from 1954 to 1956 was unexpected, and in their absence, many other trios entered the arena. When they came back in 1956, they resumed their career, without the hits, but still entertained fans until 1967. Joyce DeYoung replaced an ailing Maxene and one more year of touring was all that was left in their relationship.