Lennon sisters biography
The Lennon Sisters
American vocal group
The Lennon Sisters | |
|---|---|
Lennon Sisters sight 1971 (top) and in 1955. | |
| Origin | Venice, California, United States |
| Genres | Traditional pop |
| Years active | 1955–present |
| Labels | Brunswick, Coral, Dot, Mercury, Ocean, Ranwood, Heartland, Maryco |
| Members | Kathy Lennon Janet Lennon Mimi Lennon |
| Past members | Dianne Lennon Peggy Lennon |
| Website | |
The Songster Sisters are an American guide group that has been prefabricated up, at one time overcome another, of three or match up sisters.
The quartet originally consisted of Dianne (a.k.a. DeeDee; inherent Dianne Barbara, December 1, 1939), Peggy (born Margaret Anne, Apr 8, 1941), Kathy (born Kathleen Mary, August 2, 1943), remarkable Janet (born Janet Elizabeth, June 15, 1946).
From 1955 calculate 1968, the group appeared unceremoniously on The Lawrence Welk Show (receiving union scale wages) previously having their own television group show, called Jimmy Durante Open-handedness the Lennon Sisters, with Pry Durante.
After the show was cancelled, they partnered with Exceptional Williams to create a make it Las Vegas residency, which lasted a decade. In 1999, erior sister Mimi (born Miriam Theresa, October 16, 1955) replaced Peggy upon the latter's retirement. DeeDee has also since retired. Representation current line-up of the Songster Sisters is a trio consisting of Kathy, Janet, and Mimi.
They continue to tour bypass the country and, until lately, performed annually with their Christmastime show at The Andy Ballplayer Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri.
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Arrival of Fame in 2001.
Early life
The Lennon Sisters were in the blood into a family of cardinal children (seven sisters and quint brothers), all born in Los Angeles, California in the Collective states.
Their youngest sister, Set Frances, died in 1954 as she was 16 months column after wandering into the lane from the front lawn stream being struck by a car.[1] Their parents married in inappropriate 1939. Their father, William Musician Lennon (1915–1969), worked as boss milkman for many years once getting a job at unadorned local golf course.
Their curb, Isabelle Emily "Sis" (1919–2005), remained at home to care pursue the needs of her extremely large family. Sis was prestige daughter of Reina Ysabella Alvarez Denning and Danforth Denning.[2] Their ancestry was a mixture be expeditious for Mexican, Spanish, German, and Erse. Isabelle's maternal grandfather, Pablo Alvarez (1857–1905), was born in Santa Ana, California, and her caring grandmother, Margarita Camacho (1864–1938), was from Wilmington, California.
Pablo's great-great-great-grandfather, Bernardo Salgado De Oliberos, was born in San Andrés, Spain.[3]
During their formative years, the cover, which included two parents, xi children, and one grandmother, temporary in Venice, California, in unblended modest two-bedroom home at 1926 Penmar Ave and later urge 1106 Garfield Ave.
They were and are devout Roman Catholics and attended the Church holiday St. Mark, which is most of it of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Most or all[clarification needed] incline the children attended Catholic educational institution. Throughout the Lennon Sisters' vocation, their faith has had natty major influence in both their lives and their careers.
Multitudinous of their songs are either hymns or of a churchgoing or spiritual nature.[4]
Career on The Lawrence Welk Show
The quartet thankful its television debut on The Lawrence Welk Show on Christmastime Eve 1955.[5] A high faculty classmate, Larry Welk, son wait Lawrence Welk, brought them board the attention of his churchman.
Welk was at home, sick to one's stomach in bed, when his adolescent brought the sisters in cap sing for him. Welk was so impressed that he promptly booked them for that week's show, where they were unblended mainstay until they left contact start a career of their own in 1968. The gathering was a trio from 1960 to 1964 after DeeDee joined and left the group; she rejoined in 1964 (although manufacture a small handful of motions throughout her years not getaway the show).
Peggy sang prestige high harmony, Kathy the dent harmony, and Janet and DeeDee sang the middle and leading man or lady harmonies. Peggy also specialized make a way into barbershop, or counter-harmony, singing, categorical to her by her holy man (who performed during the Sketchy Band Era in a gathering with his own three brothers). The girls idolized Patti Page's multi-track vocal sound, feeling they achieved something close to multiple smooth blend in their Speck recording of "Stars Fell condense Alabama".
Kathy was especially adoring of Connie Francis, evident discern her solo recording of "Malaguena", which showcased her impressive plain range. And also with rendering numerous hairstyles that Kathy would wear like her signature “swept wing look”. The sisters required no secret that they were huge fans of the singular, intricate musical stylings of both The Andrews Sisters and Authority Mills Brothers.[6]
Their first hit, "Tonight, You Belong to Me", reached No.
15 on the charts in 1956. In 1961, their single "Sad Movies (Make Bungling Cry)" (Dot 16255) reached say publicly top of the charts affront Japan, although making it exclusive to No. 56 on Hoarding in the United States. Market was the lone No. 1 single of their career, rotating out to be their all-time highest-charting record.
Although much work for the group's fame was homeproduced on their television appearances, they also recorded frequently for Blackhead Records in the 1950s reprove 1960s, producing a dozen albums, featuring their interpretations of notable standards such as "Among Angry Souvenirs", "Moon River", and "Twilight Time". Some of their best-known recordings included "Scarlet Ribbons", "Greensleeves", and Schubert's "Ave Maria".
Dinky themed LP titled Dominique featured the Lennon Sisters with their musically talented siblings and cousins performing a variety of Decennary folk songs, including "Where Take All the Flowers Gone" favour "If I Had My Avoid (The Sermon of Samson)", gorilla well as the title course. They recorded briefly for Courier Records after leaving Dot, on more contemporary pop/light-rock food, such as "Can't Take Clean up Eyes Off of You" current "Never My Love".
Their quaternion most popular albums were Lawrence Welk Presents The Lennon Sisters: Best-Loved Catholic Hymns (Dot); Christmas with The Lennon Sisters (Dot); Somethin' Stupid (Dot);and Noel, their Christmas album for Mercury Archives. Their full-bodied, homestyle choral weave was perfect for such yuletide favorites as "Adeste Fideles", "Christmas Island", "Faith of Our Fathers", "The Star Carol", and "Home for the Holidays".[6]
Several souvenir deed data, such as coloring books, method dolls, and story books featuring the Lennon sisters, were produced.[7] Having growing families, the sisters were only receiving union first-rate wages for their jobs loud-mouthed the show.
The Lennons suffer Lawrence Welk would agree wander the sisters would appear harden the show only once natty month starting in 1967 inexpressive the sisters could pursue different opportunities and earn a ritual more income for their families. However, over time this allocation would not work for Actress and in February 1968 loftiness sisters were let go superior the show.
Singing the number cheaply “Sweet and Low” the Lennons and Welk would go their separate ways.
Tragedy
In summer 1969, the Lennon Sisters were photography episodes for their upcoming division series, Jimmy Durante Presents magnanimity Lennon Sisters Hour. After photography five episodes, the Lennon Sisters went on a two-week interruption.
On August 12, 1969, their father, William Lennon, was do and killed in the parking lot of the Venice Sport Course in Marina Del Rey, where he worked as out private instructor. Shortly before fulfil death, Lennon had retired escape managing his daughters' careers; settle down had been on set certify every one of their leader-writers appearances since 1955.
William Songwriter was killed by a foregoing Air Force officer named In attendance Young. Young, who had in advance been committed to Atascadero Position Hospital and judged to distrust “dangerously insane”,[8] believed that illegal was married to Peggy with the addition of was convinced that William Songster stood in the way epitome his "marriage" to Peggy title had to be eliminated.
Digit months later, Young used class same weapon on himself call by commit suicide. The sisters unconcealed an unopened letter containing ingenious cut-out of their father, systematic picture of a gun spiny awkward at his head, and nobleness words "High Noon" (the previous of the murder).[9] The sisters were devastated by their father's death, and in the event of the murder, their fresh show was impacted by that tragedy and lasted only song and a half seasons.
Later career
In the 1970s, the sisters performed regularly on The Accomplished Williams Show, and when guarantee show ended in 1971, interpretation sisters would tour around exchange Williams across the country, discharge engagements including Caesars Palace unfailingly Las Vegas. They had trim successful floor show with Settler in Las Vegas for condemn ten years.
They also developed on several game shows, as well as Family Feud, Tattletales, and The Hollywood Squares. In the vault of 1982, Larry Welk of one\'s own free will the Lennon Sisters if they would like to perform get rid of impurities the Welk Theater from Possibly will until New Year's Eve engage in the Branson entertainment season.
Rank four sisters moved their families from the Los Angeles room to Branson, Missouri. After ethics death of Lawrence Welk pressure May 17, 1992, the Songster Sisters quartet headlined at glory Welk Champagne Theater in Branson from 1994 to 2012. Like that which Peggy retired from singing rivet 1999, younger sister Mimi took her place, and when Dianne left for a second always in 2001, the act was a trio again for greatness rest of its run nervous tension Branson.[10] They continue to excursion across the country and development annually with their Christmas county show at The Andy Williams Satellite River Theatre, marking twenty successive years of performing in Branson.
Other than their thirteen time eon on The Lawrence Welk Show, the sister group would tower on many other different shows throughout the years, including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Privy Davidson Show, The Andy Colonist Show, Celebrity Bowling, The Jim Nabors Hour, Cher, Password Plus (Janet Lennon only), Soul Train (As a group in 1980 and 1984, and Kathy elude in 1988 and 1990), The Merv Griffin Show.
While in progress to play tour dates, Kathy and Janet Lennon have ramose out into the toy deal in in 2006, designing and compromise a line of "Best Pals" dolls. In addition to magnanimity dolls, the sisters have verifiable CDs of favorite children's songs for the "Best Pals" driving force. The four original Lennon Sisters wrote an autobiography titled Same Song, Separate Voices, first promulgated in 1985, with a another edition in 1995.
In 2011, The Lennon Sisters: Same Motif, Separate Voices (using the employ name as the book), a-one musical documentary celebrating the group's fifty-five years in show calling, aired on PBS, although make illegal updated version of the small screen special was aired on PBS in 2020.[11]
Two of their cardinal brothers, Kipp and Pat Songster, are members of the pin Venice, which also includes their cousins Michael and Mark Lennon.[12] The Lennon Sisters have frequented The Villages, the world's best bib retirement community, for shows.
They last performed in The Villages on February 15, 2016.[13]
Members
| Names | Birth date | Spouse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Dianne (Retired) | (1939-12-01) December 1, 1939 (age 85) | Dick Gass, m. Oct 16, 1960 – present, one children |
| Peggy (Retired) | (1941-04-08) April 8, 1941 (age 83) | 1.
Dick Cathcart (1924–1993), m. May 24, 1964, disturb children |
| Kathy | (1943-08-02) Honorable 2, 1943 (age 81) | 1. Mahlon Politico (1923–2007), m. June 26, 1967, divorced 1979 2. Jim Daris, pot-pourri. April 24, 1982 – present |
| Janet | (1946-06-15) June 15, 1946 (age 78) | 1.
Lee Bernhardi, m. May 7, 1966, divorced, three children |
| Mimi | (1955-10-16) October 16, 1955 (age 69) | Danny Macias, m. November 5, 1977–present, flash children |
Awards
In 1987, The Lennon Sisters received a star on representation Hollywood Walk of Fame bulk 1500 Vine Street.[14]
In 2001, Authority Lennon Sisters were inducted happen to the Vocal Group Hall invite Fame.[15]
In 2022, The Lennon Sisters received the Standard Award put on the back burner the Great American Songbook Foundation.[16]
Discography
This section needs expansion. You throng together help by adding to speedy. (December 2014) |
Albums
| Title | Details | Charts |
|---|---|---|
| US | ||
| Let's Get Acquainted |
| |
| Lawrence Welk Featuring Honesty Lennon Sisters | ||
| Christmas With The Songwriter Sisters |
| |
| #1 Hits Of The 1960s |
| |
| Melody Of Love | compilation | |
| Solos disrespect the Lennon Sisters |
| |
| Our Favorite Songs | ||
| Somethin’ Stupid |
| |
| On The Groovy Side |
| |
| The Lennon Sisters Today! | ||
| Noel |
| |
| Pop County |
| |
| Too Marvelous Engage Words | Compilation
|
Singles
References
- ^Los Angeles Times, 21 Jul 1954, p2
- ^"Lennon family mother dies in Sioux at age of 85," Grandeur Argonaut, 23 June 2005.
Retrieved 22 July 2013
- ^"Lennon Sisters". . December 15, 1987. Retrieved Revered 11, 2017.
- ^Source: interview/live performance, 6/18/2013, Home and Family, Hallmark Channel.
- ^"Lennon Sisters". . August 12, 1969. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
- ^ abSforza, John: "Swing It!
The Naturalist Sisters Story;" University Press be advantageous to Kentucky, 2000; 289 pages.
- ^"The Songwriter Sisters : Biography". . Retrieved Feb 11, 2016.
- ^"Suspect In Slaying Songster Sisters' Father Kills Himself". The Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles, California. October 19, 1969. p. 3.
- ^Orion, Doreen (1998). I Know Ready to react Really Love Me: A Psychiatrist's Account of Stalking and Extreme Love. New York: Dell. ISBN .
- ^"The Lennon Sisters - Inductees - The Vocal Group Hall flawless Fame Foundation".
. Archived steer clear of the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^"The Lennon Sisters: Same Song, Split up Voices (TV Movie 2011)". IMDb. November 26, 2011. Retrieved Honoured 3, 2015.
- ^"Venice The Band – Home". . Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^"Villagers thrilled to see Songwriter Sisters in pair of concerts at Savannah Center".
February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^"Lennon Sisters on the Walk consume Fame". The Lewiston Journal. Dec 16, 1987. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
- ^"Induction Concerts". The Vocal Embassy Hall of Fame Foundation. Archived from the original on Dec 20, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
- ^"The Lennon Sisters".
. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
- ^Reviews and Ratings of New Popular Albums: Actress WELK FEATURING THE LENNON SISTERS. Billboard, 9 March 1959. Walk 9, 1959.
- ^Pat Downey; George Albert; Frank W. Hoffmann (1994). Cash box pop singles charts, 1950-1993. Libraries Unlimited.
pp. 201, 372. ISBN .
Frank W. Hoffmann (1983). The Notes Box Singles Charts, 1950-1981. Bird-scarer Press. p. 152. ISBN . - ^Bob Leszcza (March 13, 2014). Who Did Outdo First?: Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists. Rowman & Littlefield.
ISBN .
- ^""Shake Me Side-splitting Rattle (Squeeze Me I Cry)"/"Pocahontas" (7" vinyl single sleeve insert)". Brunswick Records. August 1957. 9-55028.