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By: The Chordettes, formed in 1946 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Jinny Osborn came up with the idea for the Chordettes while looking through some barbershop-quartet music her father had brought home. Her father was the president of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, Inc., and with his support she recruited Janet Ertel, Carol, Bushman, and Dorotghy Hummitszch to join her group.
Helped by Jinny's father, they made contacts, and in 1949 appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, which led to a continuing role on that TV series.
While on the Godfey show they met Archie Bleyer, the program's musical director who was the owner of the Cadence record label. When the Chordettes recorded what became their first #1 hit, "Mr. Sandman", Jinny was on maternity leave. Jinny came back, however, in time to record the group's second million-seller, "Lollipop".
As wirth most of the Chordettes' hits, Bleyer's arrangements laid the foundation for their voices. Lynn Evans later said, "He really has to get most of the credit. He would find a song and work out in his head how he wanted it to sound. Then, he would write out the voice arrangements, then he'd call us over to his house, or the studio and show us the song, the arrangement, and tell us what to do."
In 1961, Jinny Osborn left the group, and they were unable to find a replacement with whom they were happy, leading to a breakup.
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
Chart position: #2 (US), #6 (UK).
It was kept from #1 in the US by "Tequila" (Champs). It was the Chordettes' biggest UK hit.
The Top Ten Songs: April 7, 1958 (US Billboard).
- "Tequila" (Champs)
- "Lollipop" (Chordettes)
- "Catch a Falling Star" (Perry Como)
- "Sugartime" (McGuire Sisters)
- "Who's Sorry Now" (Connie Francis)
- "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" (Laurie London)
- "Sweet Little Sixteen" (Chuck Berry)
- "Are You Sincere?" (Andy Williams)
- "Sail Along Silvery Moon" (Karen Chandler and Her Jackets)
- "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" (Four Preps)
Written by: Julius Dixon and Beverly "Ruby" Ross.
Ross wrote such songs as "Dim, Dim the Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)", "Candy Man", "Judy's Turn To Cry", and "Remember When".
Originally by: Ronald And Ruby, whose version reached #20 in 1958 (the same year as The Chordettes). Ronald and Ruby (Beverly Ross and Lee Morris) were a racially mixed duo, an unusual sight in the 1950s. "Lollipop" was their only hit as a duo.
Also by: The Mudlarks, whose version reached higher on the charts than the Chordettes in the UK, at #2.
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