The Chordettes

The Chordettes was a famous and successful women's barbershop quartet.

Originally organized in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1946, the Chordettes were introduced to the nation by Arthur Godfrey’s radio program where they became regulars for four years starting in 1949.

The original members were Janet Ertel, Carol Bushman, Dorothy Schwartz and Jinny Osborn. In 1952, Lynn Evans replaced Schwartz and in 1953 Margie Needham replaced Osburn who took time off for having a baby, but would return to the group. Nancy Overton was also a member of the group at a later time.

Signed by Cadence Records, in 1954, the Chordettes landed on the Hit Parade with their biggest hit, “Mr. Sandman”, where it would be number one for seven weeks. They returned in 1956 with “Eddie My Love” and a top five hit, “Born To Be With You” in 1956. A year later, “Just Between You and Me” reached the top ten and in 1958 “Lollipop” peaked at #2 on the Billboard chart.

With other hits, “Lay Down Your Arms”, “No Other Arms” “Never On Sunday”, and a version of the theme song from the TV series “Zorro”, the Chordettes became a major nightclub attraction, appearing on numerous radio and television shows including Ed Sullivan. The Chordettes appeared on American Bandstand on August 5, 1957, the very first episode of the show nationally.