Swing It!: The Andrews Sisters Story

by John Sforza

In the years before and after World War II, there were no bigger voices than those of the Andrews Sisters. Maxene, LaVerne, and Patty charted more top ten Billboard hits than Elvis or the Beatles and went on to become the top-selling female vocal group of all time, selling approximately 100 million records. They recorded such instant hits as "Beer Barrel Polka," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Don't Fence Me In," and "I Can Dream, Can't I?" They dominated the music scene for fifteen years with some 600 recordings, appearances in seventeen films, cabaret performances, and countless radio and television appearances.

Swing It! is the first published biography of this incredibly popular trio. The book includes many rarely published photos and features extensive career data, including a detailed discography, filmography, and listing of their radio and television appearances between 1938 and 1967. The Andrews Sisters had their big break with the 1937 release of the Yiddish tune "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon (Means that You're Grand)," which sold 350,000 copies in one month and established the trio as successful recording artists. The sisters are now probably best remembered for their work entertaining troops in World War II. They traveled across the U.S. and to Italy and Africa, and their recording of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" for the film Buck Privates became synonymous with the war effort. Part of the reason for the success of the Andrews Sisters was their ability to perform so many different types of music. They repeatedly achieved major hits with melodies derived from many different countries, becoming the first and most prominent artists of their time to bring ethnic-influenced music to the forefront of America's hit parade. The Andrews Sisters separated for two years in the 1950s as the strain of constantly living, working, and playing together for over four decades took its toll. They reunited in 1956 and continued to perform together until LaVerne's death from cancer in 1967.

The Andrews Sisters remain the most successful and enduring female vocal group in the history of show business. Theirs are the voices that defined an era.

Genres: Music, Biography, History, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 1999

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been an Andrews Sisters fan for a long time, so I enjoyed this book - it was more about their careers and less about their personal lives - there was just enough of that. I liked that it was written by a fan.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the only biographies available on the Andrews Sisters. If there were a wider selection, this rating would probably go down to a two. Not enough personal information to get a proper feel for the sisters as people. Too many long paragraphs listing song titles, etc. The writing has the feel of a high school student trying to fill paper to meet a page or word count requirement.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 3.5. 90% of the book is just a narrated account of each year/decade of the Sisters’ professional activities. It would have been nice to get some personal background, not salacious stuff, just something to humanize Patty, LaVerne, and Maxine. I loved the pictures and wish there were more.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fondness for its subject is a prerequisite for a book,and this has it by the bucket load.the rags to riches story of the sisters,who were ok until too many people having a say in their career.that said it is a very enjoyable read.

[Steve Herreid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written, but it was the only biography I could find on the Andrews sisters.

[Kathi Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As another reviewer has written, this is almost just a list of the songs, TV appearances, etc. made by the Andrews Sisters. That being said, I think this author was anxious to get their story in print as he said their story has been overlooked by historians. I loved the music made by these women and agree that their story needs telling. That being said, I do wish there was more personal information about them. Perhaps it's typical of their generation and the author's respect for them that there isn't.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very interesting. What a long career these girls had. They worked so hard during WWII and brought so much joy during a war torn time.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted more insight into the personal lives of the Andrews Sisters. This was really just a detailed account of recording sessions. Not enough dish.