Patty Andrews, the youngest and last surviving member of the musical group The Andrews Sisters, passed away January 30 of natural causes at her home. She was 94.
The Andrews Sisters rose to fame during World War II as they sang upbeat and catchy songs for American troops serving overseas. Their hit song “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” soared to the top of the charts as American music lovers also began to enjoy the trio’s music.
Born to a Greek father and Norwegian mother, the sisters formed a group when Patty was just 7-years-old. After their father’s restaurant business shut down, Patty and her sisters – LaVerne and Maxene – began touring to help support the family. During WWII, they assisted Bette Davis and John Garfield in the opening of the Hollywood Canteen, and dedicated their time performing for servicemen.
Following a brief separation in 1951, when Patty decided to break away from the group to pursue other musical options, The Andrews Sisters reunited in 1956. After recording a few albums, the eldest sister, LaVerne, passed away in 1967. Maxene and Patty continued to perform together until 1968.
While the two sisters had a very public feud, Patty and Maxene only saw each other a few times before Maxene’s passing in 1995.
The Andrews Sisters’ music lives on through many modern day artists; Christina Aguilera and Bette Midler, among others, have covered their songs. The trio was also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
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