AS FAMOUS and successful as The Supremes, The Ronettes, Go Go Girls, Bananarama, The Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child, and Girl’s Aloud were/are, none - in terms of hit records or influence - come close to the ultimate female pop phenomenon - The Andrews Sisters.
The Andrews Sisters - Patty, Maxine, and LaVerne - became a worldwide phenomenon in the 1930s and 1940s with such songs as ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’, ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’, and ‘Winter Wonderland’.
Throughout that time they sold between 75 and 100 million records from a little over 600 recorded tunes, scoring 113 Billboard hits, with 46 reaching the Top 10 - more than any all-female group, Elvis, or The Beatles.
There was more to the Andrews Sisters than chart success. Their mix of swing and jazz was innovative; they paved the way for all future girl-bands, their songs have stood the test of time, and lately their influence has been on the rise again - Christina Aguilera doffed her cap to the trio with her hit single ‘Candyman’ while The Puppini Sisters cite the Andrews as a major inspiration.
Galway will experience its own slice of Andrews Sisters revival when The Andrews Sisters Show hits the Town Hall Theatre on Saturday December 13 at 8pm.
The show has been put together by Irish singer Derby Browne, who Galwegians will remember for Pigalle, her magnificent tribute show to Edith Piaf which she performed in the Town Hall in August. While Derby is a solo artist, she is also leader of the swing group The Bugle Babes, who will be playing the role of The Andrews Sisters for the show.
So how did Derby become so fascinated by the 1930s and 1940s - the era of Piaff and the Andrews?
“People who’ve seen the shows do think I’m like someone out of the 1940s. Then again a lot of people say I’m like that even when I’m not doing a show!” Derby tells me during our Thursday afternoon interview. “I always loved the 1940s and have adored forties music since I was a teenager. I loved watching the old moves on a TV on a Sunday afternoon and listening to the songs.
“It would have been through those movies that I became aware of The Andrews Sisters. It was the visuals that attracted me; the lovely dresses, the flower in the hair. The songs were very nostalgic and very well crafted. They were written at a time of war which creates hardship but it also brought out brilliance. I loved the fact it was three girls doing these three part harmonies and it made me want to do that.”
The Bugle Babes are Derby Browne, Susannah de Wrixon, and Annie Redmond. Derby formed the group about a year and a half ago when she was putting the first Andrews Sisters Show together for the National Concert Hall in Dublin. She auditioned many singers and found in de Wrixon and Redmond just what she was looking for.
“I’m the leader of the group so I’m like Patti,” says Derby. “Sue has a sassiness that makes her like Maxine, and Annie has a gorgeous alto voice, very jazzy, so she’s LaVerne, but we all share the vocal leads, unlike in the Andrews Sisters where Patti did all the solo parts.”
The Andrews Sisters were at their peak during WWII and the show will re-create a 1940s atmosphere with a five piece swing band; costume changes for The Bugle Babes, including army, marine, burlesque, and evening dresses; Galway crooner Keith McDonald will taking the part of Andrews Sisters collaborator Bing Crosby; and Galway’s’ Vaudeville Vamps will perform swing dance throughout the show and in the foyer during the interval.
“All swing dancers are invited to come along, dress up, and take part in the dancing in the foyer,” says Derby.
Given that a 1940s atmosphere will pervade the show, could that include the threat of a bombing raid by the Luftwaffe? “There might be an air raid siren,” says Derby, “so if you hear it duck!”
In terms of boosting morale, patriotism, and entertaining the US troops, The Andrews Sisters were perhaps second only to Bob Hope. Throughout WWII, they entertained the Allied forces in America, Africa, and Italy, visiting army, navy, marine, and coast guard bases, war zones, hospitals, and munitions factories. They encouraged US citizens to purchase war bonds and helped found the Hollywood Canteen retreat for servicemen.
“They contributed hugely to the war effort,” says Derby. “Discs of their music were given out as free 78s to the service men on the front lines. They were also loved in Europe. Even though the Germans had banned Allied music in the countries they had occupied, Andrews Sisters records were still being smuggled in, with the labels being changed to say they were German marching songs.”
While beloved of soldiers and pop music fans everywhere, The Andrews Sisters were notorious for their in-fighting and bust ups. Will the show touch on that?
“It does mention it a little towards the end,” says Derby. “They worked together so intensely from when they were young and it’s normal. Girls have their squabbles but it ended up that some of them didn’t talk to each other for years, or ever again!”
Sixty years after their heyday, what is the enduring appeal of The Andrews Sisters?
“Their songs were very patriotic and upbeat. They were catchy and humorous, and a bit naughty,” says Derby. “They had very good production and those close harmonies is why it keeps coming back and back. People at parties like to mime to the Andrews Sisters, so it’s the kind of music and singing that will always appeal to female singers.”
As well as great songs on the night The Andrews Sisters Show will also feature a raffle with some fabulous forties style prizes. Derby will return in the summer with her new show La Dolche Roma featuring music by Nino Rota, who wrote music for the Fellini films.
For tickets contact the Town Hall on 091 - 569777.
