The Chordettes
Advertisement
Advertisement
Top Related Artists
Biography
The Chordettes were a vocal quartet from the unassuming Midwestern town of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, who landed several top ten hits and whose sweet harmonies would later evoke a bygone era for future generations, thanks to their songs being used to symbolize the past in film and television.
Formed in 1946 by four college friends, the lineup shifted over time before landing on the core of Jinny Osborn (temporarily replaced by Margie Needham during the groupâs rise), Janet Ertel, Carol Buschmann, and Lynn Evans. The quartet was plucked from obscurity after a 1949 appearance on a popular syndicated radio show, Arthur Godfreyâs Talent Scouts, and began to record for Columbia Records. The group later moved over to Cadence Records, a label formed by Godfreyâs musical director, where the Chordettes would release their biggest hits, âMr. Sandmanâ (Number 1, 1954) and âLollipopâ (Number 2, 1958).
The quartetâs close harmony singing and squeaky-clean image may have not seemed fashionable once the rock nâ roll era dawned, but the Chordettes defied the odds and kept at it, putting their own spin on contemporary rock and R&B hits. In 1961, the group landed their last big hit with âNever on Sundayâ, and disbanded shortly after.
As nostalgia for the â50s kicked into full gear in the 1980s, songs made famous by the Chordettes began to be used as shorthand for broadly referring to the post-World War II, pre-rock era. The 1985 movie Back to the Future used âMr. Sandmanâ to illustrate Marty McFlyâs sense of wonder after having traveled back in time, and while producers opted to use the Four Acesâ version, a Chordettes poster is featured in a scene-setting montage. A year later, âLollipopâ would be used in Stand By Me, another movie heavily invested in capturing the sentiment of the â50s.
Read All
Read Less
Albums
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- Lollipop
- Lollipop by The Chordettes
- Basin Street Blues
- Baby of Mine
- No Wheels
- Eddie Be My Love
- True Love Goes On And On
- Lonely Lips
- Humming Bird
- Eddie My Love
- Born To Be With You
- Mr. Sandman
- Lay Down Your Arms
- Teen Age Goodnight
- Just Between You And Me
- Baby Come-A-Back-A
- Zorro
- A Girl's Work Is Never Done
- No Wheels
- Mr. Sandman
- Photographs
- Lollipop by The Chordettes
- Jingle Bells featuring The Chordettes
- Pink Shoelaces
