Patty Andrews dies at 94

[operalover21]

I guess you have to be a certain age to know this name or at least be a student of popular music in the 1940s. Patty Andrews, just a few days short of her 95th birthday, has died. She was the last of the famous Andrews Sisters, the most popular sister group of all-time. She was the one in the middle. They sold over 80 million records. Their biggest hit was probably Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B (yes, Bette Midler wasn't the first one to sing it!). They were huge during World War 2. They recorded a bunch of Christmas songs with Bing Crosby that are still widely played today.

 

A last link to quite an era and generation. RIP.

[+ deej]

End of an era, for sure.

 

I'll sheepishly admit my first reaction when I heard she'd died was surprise. I was surprised to learn she'd still been alive. All of the other icons of that era are long gone.

 

The Christmas song most would probably recognize is "Mele Kalikimaka". You still hear it in shopping malls starting around Halloween.

[operalover21]

End of an era, for sure.

 

I'll sheepishly admit my first reaction when I heard she'd died was surprise. I was surprised to learn she'd still been alive. All of the other icons of that era are long gone.

 

The Christmas song most would probably recognize is "Mele Kalikimaka". You still hear it in shopping malls starting around Halloween.

 

I only knew she was alive because I get this monthly digest of famous people turning 80 or 90. She was on the list for February because she was going to turn 95. Two others on the list were these:

 

Mary Carlisle turns 101

George Beverly Shea turns 104

 

I thought them both long dead. Mary Carlisle was a film star in the 1930s. Made some films with Bing Crosby.

George Beverly Shea, of course, was a famous choral director and did all the Billy Graham shows. He made tons of sort-of gospel albums.

[operalover21]

End of an era, for sure.

 

I'll sheepishly admit my first reaction when I heard she'd died was surprise. I was surprised to learn she'd still been alive. All of the other icons of that era are long gone.

 

The Christmas song most would probably recognize is "Mele Kalikimaka". You still hear it in shopping malls starting around Halloween.

 

The other songs you hear a lot is "Jingle Bells" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" both with Crosby -- very jazzy, swingy versions. They're prominently featured in that cult classic "A Christmas Story."