Patty Andrews has died aged 94.
The singer – who was part of close harmony group The Andrews Sisters, with siblings LaVerne and Maxene – died at her home in Los Angeles on Wednesday (30.01.13).
The Andrews Sisters sold over 80 million records in a career spanning from the 1920s to 1967. They were particularly popular during the Second World War when they entertained the troops with songs such as ‘Boogie Woogie Buggle Boy’ – later covered by Bette Midler – and ‘Rum and Coca-Cola’.
Patty was the last surviving member of the vocal troupe. Eldest sister LaVerne died in 1967 following a year long bout with cancer, and Maxene – with whom Patty had a contentious relationship following LaVerne’s death – died of a heart attack in 1995.
The sisters’ long career in music, Broadway and film was recognised with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in October 1987. Earlier in the day, an earthquake had struck the area resulting in the ceremony nearly having to be cancelled.
Patty joked at the time: "Some people said that earthquake this morning was LaVerne because she couldn’t be here, but really it was just Maxene and me on the telephone."