Dorothy McGuire
Dorothy McGuire, who has died aged 84, was one of The McGuire Sisters, a vocal harmony group that produced a string of hits in the 1950s.
The McGuires — Christine , Dorothy and Phyllis (the lead singer, and the youngest) — made their mark just before Elvis Presley burst on to the music scene; and while rock and roll was celebrating the rebelliousness of youth, the McGuire Sisters continued to record songs about more innocent teenage dreams. In performance, they sported identical outfits and hairdos, their synchronised dance routines echoing those of The Andrews Sisters.
Their hits included Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite and Muskrat Ramble (both 1954), Sincerely and Something’s Gotta Give (both 1955), Sugartime (1957), May You Always (1959) and Just for Old Times Sake (1960).
Dorothy McGuire was born on February 13 1928 at Middletown, Ohio, the middle daughter of a steelworker; her mother, Lillie, was pastor of the First Church of God at Miamisburg, Ohio, and from their childhood years Dorothy and her sisters sang in harmony at their mother’s church, at Sunday school picnics, weddings and funerals.
Secular songs were banned in the McGuire household, and the girls secretly listened to the forbidden music on the radio. In 1950 they were singing hymns in three-part harmony at their mother’s church when Karl Taylor, an agent and bandleader, stopped by to listen. After the service he gave them his card, suggesting that they phone him if they ever wanted to sing pop music. A month later they were performing alongside his band at a hotel in Dayton.
In 1952 the sisters went to New York, where they secured a regular spot on the morning television show Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts . At the same time they began recording with Coral Records, a subsidiary of Decca, posting their first Top 10 hit with Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite. They were frequent performers on television, alongside stars such as Dean Martin, Danny Kaye, Perry Como and Andy Williams. Their last appearance before deciding to call it a day in 1968 was on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Dorothy McGuire retired to concentrate on bringing up her two sons by Lowell Williamson, a successful oilman. Christine also retreated into domestic life, while Phyllis decided to pursue a career as a solo artist. At one stage Phyllis was said to be the mistress of the Las Vegas mobster Sam Giancana (an allegation she denied).
The McGuire Sisters reunited in the 1980s to perform on the nightclub circuit, and last appeared together in the mid-2000s. They performed for five American Presidents .
Dorothy McGuire is survived by her two sons, two stepchildren, and by her two sisters.
Dorothy McGuire Williamson, born February 13 1928, died September 7 2012