The McGuire Sisters facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The McGuire Sisters
The McGuire Sisters in 1964
Background information
Born	Christine: (1926-07-30)July 30, 1926 Dorothy: (1928-02-13)February 13, 1928 Phyllis: (1931-02-14)February 14, 1931 Middletown, Ohio, U.S.
Origin	Middletown, Ohio, U.S.
Died	Christine: December 28, 2018(2018-12-28) (aged 92), Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Dorothy: September 7, 2012(2012-09-07) (aged 84), Paradise Valley, Arizona, U.S. Phyllis: December 29, 2020(2020-12-29) (aged 89), Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres	Traditional pop
Years active	1952–1968; 1986-2004
Past members	Christine McGuire Dorothy "Dottie" McGuire Phyllis Jean McGuire

The McGuire Sisters were a very popular singing group in American music. The group was made up of three sisters:

• Ruby Christine McGuire (born July 30, 1926 – died December 28, 2018)
• Dorothy "Dottie" McGuire (born February 13, 1928 – died September 7, 2012)
• Phyllis Jean McGuire (born February 14, 1931 – died December 29, 2020)

Some of their most famous songs were "Sincerely" and "Sugartime". Both of these songs reached number one on the music charts.

Early Life and Music

The McGuire sisters were born in Middletown, Ohio. They grew up in Miamisburg, which is close to Dayton. Their mother, Lillie, was a minister at the Miamisburg First Church of God.

When they were children, they sang in church. They performed at weddings, funerals, and special church events. They started singing together in 1935. At that time, Phyllis, the youngest sister, was only four years old.

Over time, they began to sing outside of church. By 1949, they were performing at military bases and hospitals for veterans. Their music style became more varied than just church songs.

Becoming Famous Singers

The McGuire Sisters signed a record deal with Coral Records in 1952. In the same year, they appeared on a TV show called Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. The host, Godfrey, was very impressed. He hired them to be on his other TV shows, where they stayed for seven years.

In November 1953, Cosmopolitan magazine called them "Godfrey's Merry McGuires". People often compared them to another famous group, the Andrews Sisters. The McGuire Sisters learned a lot from watching other singing groups. They copied their styles, including groups like the Mills Brothers and the Dinning Sisters.

Phyllis McGuire once said that when they became famous, they only knew hymns. Their mother had taught them these songs. They did not know many popular songs at first.

Performing for Important People

The McGuire Sisters performed for five different Presidents of the United States. These included Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. They also performed for Queen Elizabeth II in London in 1961.

During the 1960s, the sisters were on TV a lot. They appeared on many popular variety shows. These shows were hosted by famous people like Ed Sullivan, Dean Martin, and Andy Williams. The trio always dressed the same and had matching hairstyles. They also performed dance routines and hand gestures that were perfectly in sync.

Their songs "Sincerely", "Picnic", and "Sugartime" were huge hits. Each of these songs sold over one million copies.

Group's Break and Return

The McGuire Sisters stopped performing publicly in 1968. Their last show was on The Ed Sullivan Show that year. For a while, Phyllis McGuire continued to perform by herself.

The sisters got back together in 1986. Their first show after reuniting was at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. After that, they performed in many nightclubs. They sang in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and New York City. Phyllis also did funny impressions of other singers like Peggy Lee and Judy Garland.

They sang their biggest hits during their shows. They also performed special songs like "I Love a Violin" and "Danny Boy" without music. Sometimes, Phyllis would go backstage, and Christine and Dorothy would play "The Way We Were" on two pianos. Other parts of their show included a funny Trinidad-style song and a soft version of "Memory" from the musical Cats. They also performed a "Money Medley" on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in 1994.

The sisters continued to make occasional public appearances. In 2004, they performed together for a PBS TV special called Magic Moments: Best of '50s Pop. Even after many years, their voices sounded amazing together.

After their singing careers slowed down, they opened a restaurant. It was in Bradenton, Florida, and they called it McGuire's Pub.

Awards and Recognition

The McGuire Sisters received many honors for their music.

• 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 are also in the Coca-Cola Hall of Fame and the Headliners' Hall of Fame.
• In 2009, they were inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.

Sadly, some of their old music tapes were lost in the 2008 Universal fire.

Family Life

The sisters had their own families. Christine was married several times and had two children, Herold and Asa. Dorothy married John Henry Brown and later Lowell James Williamson. She had two sons, Rex and David. Phyllis married Cornelius (Neal) Anthony Burke Van Ells. She did not have any children.

Later Years and Deaths

Dorothy McGuire passed away on September 7, 2012. She was 84 years old and had been ill with Parkinson's disease. Her husband, Lowell Williamson, died six months later in 2013.

Christine McGuire died in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 28, 2018. She was 92 years old.

Phyllis McGuire was the last sister to pass away. She died peacefully at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 29, 2020. She was 89 years old.

Discography

Phyllis McGuire Solo Songs

In Popular Culture

The Robert Altman film Come Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean (1982) often features music by The McGuire Sisters. Their number one song, "Sincerely", is sung by the film's stars Cher, Karen Black, and Sandy Dennis.

See also

In Spanish: The McGuire Sisters para niños