The Andrews Sisters were known for singing in close harmony during the swing era. They sold an estimated 80 million records, and their biggest hit came in 1941 with ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.’ Their unique style is still copied today by many vocal groups.
Their blend was unlike anything the music world had heard in the 1930s and early 1940s. Sister Laverne Sophia sang contralto while Maxene Anglyn performed the soprano part. Rounding out the harmony was sister Patricia Marie who sang mezzo-soprano.
The sisters are surrounded by soldiers while they sing and dance their choreographed routine. They mix in some tap dance moves too. Their big smiles and infectious energy get the soldiers fired up and clapping along to ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.’
The black-and-white footage comes to life as the Andrews Sisters deliver a fantastic performance dressed in complete soldier outfits. At various points in the song, the girls emulate the sound of the bugle. It is a very cool technique that involves ‘Scat’ singing.
Scat singing is usually an improvised melody by a singer using nonsense words. This style was made popular in early jazz music. Louis Armstrong is credited with the first recorded scat vocal. Ella Fitzgerald was also known for her fantastic improvisations.
Their final harmony comes together with a salute pose that gets the audience to cheer loudly. The Andrews Sisters knew how to put on a show, and they went all out for this production.
True music legends to this day, the Andrew Sisters are heralded as one of the most popular female vocal groups of all time. Their showmanship and harmony couldn’t be beat.
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