The Chordettes
The Chordettes were one of the longest-lived vocal groups with roots in the mainstream pop and vocal harmonies of the 1940s and early '50s. Although the four women's arrangements owed more to the Andrews Sisters than doo wop, they did, unlike many of their peers, prove fairly adaptable to the rock era. First establishing themselves with the huge (and non-rock) pop hit "Mr. Sandman" in 1954, they continued to chart in the last half of the '50s and the early '60s, often with covers of rock and R&B songs. The 1958 number two hit "Lollipop" was the biggest of these. Although the group's sound (at least in retrospect) fell among the Whitest and squarest of rock artists, they introduced enough rock into their repertoire and production to sound more contemporary than they had on songs such as "Mr. Sandman."
Jinny Osborn was exposed to harmony singing via her father, who was president of "The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America Inc." She formed the quartet with three college friends, and they became regulars on Arthur Godfrey's television show for four years in 1949, singing a cappella in the barbershop style, and recording for Columbia. Godfrey's musical director, Archie Bleyer, married the Chordettes' bass singer, Janet Ertel, around the same time he began his record label, Cadence. On Cadence, the group began to record with musical backing, though the barbershop elements are still well to the fore on "Mr. Sandman." Originally a B-side for Vaughn Monroe, the bouncy, somewhat novelty-oriented tune (complete with a deep-voiced "Yes?" from a voice representing "Mr. Sandman" at one point) made number one for seven weeks.
The Chordettes were among the White pop acts that covered rock and R&B songs in the mid-'50s for the pop market, as early rock & roll began its successful threat to take over the mainstream audience. In so doing, they managed to split sales with the Teen Queens on the early doo wop classic "Eddie My Love," which made the Top 20 in versions by both groups. They also covered a song by Ronald & Ruby, "Lollipop," in their characteristic full-round-like arrangement, complete with popping sounds. This was their best rock, or at least rock-ish, tune, though they had continued to record straight pop songs, too, and had substantial hits with singles like "Born to Be with You" and "Just Between You and Me."
In the late '50s and early '60s, the Chordettes continued to alternate between pop songs and ones with an eye on the rock market, including covers of the Coasters' "Charlie Brown," Paul Anka's "Lonely Boy," and Dodie Stevens' "Pink Shoelaces." They even did some recordings with King Curtis on sax. After "Lollipop" there were a few more hits: "Zorro," "No Other Arms, No Other Lips," and "Never on Sunday." They disbanded shortly after "Never on Sunday" made the Top 20 in 1961, however, when Jinny Osborn left and the group couldn't find a replacement with whom they were happy.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
Similar artists
-
-
Harmony Time
Pop - Released by Columbia - Legacy on May 15, 1950
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Sandmen & Lollipops: Greatest Hits (1954-1961)
Pop - Released by Jasmine Records on Sep 4, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sandman (Planet Rondevou Remix)
Soul - Released by No Gravity on Oct 20, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Girl's Work Is Never Done / No Wheels
Rock - Released by DECRAM on Aug 22, 1959
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
-
Zorro (Billboard Hot 100 - No 17)
Pop - Released by Music Manager on Oct 23, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Chordettes Sing the Hits
Pop - Released by Cadence Records on Jan 1, 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Never On Sunday (Songs From Movies)
Pop - Released by Barnaby on Jan 1, 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Barbershop Nostalgia
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Music Manager on Sep 2, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
in2The Chordettes - Volume 1
Pop - Released by Play Digital on Sep 22, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
"They're Riding High" says Archie
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Bridge Pa Digital on May 1, 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lollipop (Remastered)
Soul - Released by New World on May 29, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Harmony Pop Originals - Volume 3
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by PROFOUND on Apr 17, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
For Me and My Girl
Pop - Released by Supreme Media on Oct 1, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lollipop (From The "Ford Ecosport - Keyless Entry" T.V. Advert) (Remastered)
Film Soundtracks - Released by MD NFM on Apr 3, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Harmony Pop Originals - Volume 5
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by PROFOUND on Apr 17, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best of The Chordettes
Pop - Released by Vintage Jukebox on Nov 11, 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Harmony Time Volume II
Pop - Released by Columbia - Legacy on Apr 9, 1951
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo