The Kaye Sisters

The Kaye Sisters were a trio of United Kingdom pop singers, who scored several hits on the UK Singles Chart in the late 1950s and early 1960s.[1]

Career

Performing on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1964

The Kaye Sisters were formed in 1954. They got their name and their start in the music industry from their manager, Carmen Kaye.[2] They were also often billed as The Three Kayes[3] or just The Kayes. The three members dressed in matching dress outfits and wore the same blonde haircuts, and became a popular vocal group on par with the Beverley Sisters.[4] Two of their biggest hits were recorded with Frankie Vaughan.

A television appearance in 1956 rocketed them to stardom, and their first recording, "Ivory Tower", peaked at number 20 in the UK Singles Chart. Other singles followed, including "Got-Ta Have Something in the Bank, Frank" (1957), "Are You Ready, Freddy?" (1958) and "Goodbye Jimmy Goodbye" (1959).[2]

The trio were headliners in top London cabaret clubs such as Churchill's and the Colony Club, and in variety supported such leading stars as Frankie Howerd, Tommy Cooper and Ken Dodd. They were popular in Blackpool summer seasons throughout the 1960s and 1970s, where they co-starred with Josef Locke, Dick Emery and, in two seasons, with Larry Grayson. In 1992 they returned to the resort to top the bill of the South Pier's Golden Showstoppers.[2]

They appeared with Judy Garland in the 1957 Royal Variety Show, and in the United States appeared as guests on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Kaye Sisters were in demand in later years on nostalgia shows. In the 1970s they often appeared on Max Bygraves’ variety bills, notably co-starring with him in SingalongaMax at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 1972.[2]

They recorded several albums, including Presenting the Kaye Sisters (1958) and Kaye Sisters Favourites (1960). Sheila Jones left the act in the late 1960s, but they carried on with a replacement, Gilly. The original act reformed in 1992 for a Glenn Miller tribute tour.[2]

Members

Discography

Albums

Singles

All released on Philips[6]

References

  1. ↑ The Kaye Sisters at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "The Times newspaper obituary for Carol Kaye". London: Timesonline.co.uk. 28 August 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  3. ↑ Three Kaye Sisters at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  4. ↑ The Kaye Sisters at 45rpm.org
  5. ↑ NME.com - retrieved 23 December 2008
  6. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 297. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Search for "Kaye Sisters" performed at Everyhit.com database on 14 July 2008.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Search for "Frankie Vaughan" performed at Everyhit.com database on 14 July 2008.