The McGuire Sisters

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The McGuire Sisters
The McGuire Sisters
The McGuire Sisters
Background information
Origin Miamisburg, Ohio, United States
Genre(s) Traditional Pop
Years active 1952-1968
Website McGuire Sisters' page on the Primarily A Cappella site
Former members
Christine McGuire, Dorothy McGuire, and Phyllis McGuire

The McGuire Sisters were a singing trio in American popular music. They consisted of Christine McGuire (born July 30, 1926), Dorothy McGuire (born February 13, 1928), and Phyllis McGuire (born February 14, 1931).

They were born in Middletown, Ohio and grew up in Miamisburg, Ohio, where their mother, Lillie, was an ordained minister of the Miamisburg First Church of God and let them sing in the church as young girls. They sang at weddings, funerals, and church revivals. When they started in 1935, Phyllis was only four years old. Eventually, they sang on other occasions than church-related ones; by 1949, they were singing at military bases and veterans' hospitals. They incorporated a more diverse repertoire for these, extending themselves to more than the hymns they had sung at church.

In 1952, they appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, and as a result, Godfrey hired them for his other shows, where they remained for seven years. They performed for five Presidents of the United States (Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush), and for Queen Elizabeth II, as well as appearing on many top television shows. The Coca-Cola company signed them to a contract with the highest fee in advertising history up to that date.

The McGuire Sisters, and most especially Phyllis McGuire, were the subjects of a 1995 HBO movie called Sugartime, which depicted Phyllis' relationship with mobster Sam Giancana. Giancana was played by actor John Turturro and Phyllis was played by Mary Louise Parker. The McGuires in the film looked nothing like the McGuires in real life, and didn't even move as they do on stage. They also peculiarly were portrayed as show biz bubbleheads when in real life all three are savvy, articulate, disciplined and knowledgable ladies. Their gorgeous appearance today reflects their attention to quality and detail in costuming, makeup and staging and their impeccable harmonies reflect a lifelong devotion to perfecting their art.

In 1968, they retired from public performance. Phyllis went to a solo act; Dorothy and Christine became totally devoted to their families. Seventeen years later, however, they joined as an act again in response to fans' entreaties.

In 1994, they were inducted into the National Broadcasting Hall of Fame. In 2001, they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. They have also been inducted into the Coca-Cola Hall of Fame and the Headliners' Hall of Fame.

[edit] Recorded songs

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