Andrews, Maxene

▪ 1996

      U.S. singer and entertainer (b. Jan. 3, 1916, Minneapolis, Minn.—d. Oct. 21, 1995, Hyannis, Mass.), formed, with her two sisters, Patty and LaVerne, the Andrews Sisters, whose blended harmonies and energetic style made them favourites of audiences. The group rocketed to fame in 1937 with their rendition of "Bei Mir Bist du Schön." During World War II the trio entertained U.S. troops overseas, belting out such hits as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree," and "Rum and Coca-Cola." The Andrews Sisters became a cherished American icon and were hugely successful, selling more than 50 million records from the late 1930s to the early '40s. They appeared in scores of films and worked with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Bing Crosby. Their relationships with one another, however, were fragile. In 1953 they disbanded, and Maxene and Patty went on to pursue solo careers. Three years later they reunited, but LaVerne died in 1967. In 1970 Maxene became dean of women at Tahoe Paradise College of Fine Arts, Lake Tahoe, Nev., and she eventually became its vice president. She and Patty teamed up in 1974 to make their Broadway debuts in Over Here! The show ran for more than a year, but the two became estranged and never sang together again. Maxene wrote a memoir, gave lectures, and performed in concerts, nightclubs, and musicals.

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