The Fontane Sisters

The Fontane Sisters

Photo: James J. Kreigsmann

Source: Wikipedia

The Fontane Sisters were a conservative pop jazz group something removed from swing, in which rock has early roots, though in a neighborhood on a block across the street. The Sisters began as a family trio consisting of Bea, Marge and Frank Rosse on guitar. Upon their first successful audition for NBC in New York in 1944 Frank was drafted into the Army and killed in action during World War II. He was replaced by younger sister, Geri, by then graduated from high school.

Praguefrank's has the Sisters first recording circa May of 1946 in NYC with the orchestra of Walter Gross. Assumed issued that year [RYM] were 'My Fickle Eye'/'It Couldn't Be True (Or Could It)' (Musicraft 15067) and 'Linger In My Arms A Little Longer, Baby'/'Missouri Waltz' (Musicraft 15082).

'Missouri Waltz'   Fontane Sisters w the Walter Gross Orchestra

Recorded c May 1946 NYC   Issued on Musicraft 15082

Music: Lee Edgar Settle   Lyrics: James Royce Shannon   1914

In 1948 the Sisters were featured on Perry Como's 'The Chesterfield Supper Club' radio and television program. Their first recording with Como was December 2 of 1948 in Manhattan for 'N'Yot N'Yow' (RCA Victor 20-3288), thought issued in '48 or '49. In January the Sisters laid out 'Put Your Shoes On, Lucy', that advertised in a February 19, 1949, issue of 'Billboard Magazine' with 'Underneath the Linden Tree'. Come ''A' - You're Adorable' with Como on March 1:

''A' You're Adorable'   Fontane Sisters w Perry Como

Recorded 1 March 1949 NYC   Issued on RCA Victor 47-2899

Music: Sid Lippman   Lyrics: Buddy Kaye / Fred Wise

'Billboard' has them issuing 'Candy Kisses'/'Once Around the Park' (RCA Victor 20-3429) in April of 1949. That summer they issued 'The Turtle Song'/'I'm a Little Cuckoo' (RCA Victor 20-3463) and 'The Bumpety Bus'/'24 Hours of Sunshine' (RCA Victor 20-3504). An August 11 session with Como came to 'A Dreamer's Holiday' (RCA Victor 20-3036):

'A Dreamer's Holiday'   Fontane Sisters w Perry Como

Recorded 11 Aug 1949 NYC

Music: Mabel Wayne   Lyrics: Kim Gannon   1946

'I Wanna Go Home With You' saw issue with an October 2 recording of 'Hush Little Darlin'' (RCA Victor 20-3586). On November 7 Como and the Fontane Sisters set up 'Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo', that issued flip side to Como's 'A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes' (RCA Victor 20-3607):

'Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo'   Fontane Sisters w Perry Como

Recorded 7 Nov 1949 NYC   Issued on RCA Victor 47-3113

Composition: Al Hoffman / Mack David / Jerry Livingston

'Billboard' Dec 31 of '49 advertises the Sisters' 'Fairy Tales/The Cinderella Work Song' (RCA Victor 20-3036). The partnership between Como and the Sisters was pursued into the early fifties, they yet cruising along a fairly domestic avenue while rock was already on solid rail. Praguefrank's disco shows Como and the Sisters last recording together on September 9 of 1952 for 'To Know You'/'The Lady Loves to Dance' (RCA Victor 47-4959). In the meantime the Sisters had issued a nice version (any version) of 'Tennessee Waltz' in December of 1950:

'Tennessee Waltz'   Fontane Sisters

Recorded c Oct 1949 NYC   Issued on RCA Victor 47-3979 in Nov 1950

Music: Pee Wee King   Lyrics: Redd Stewart   1946

Music VF shows the Sisters' first title to chart (#20) in January of '51. A few strong titles followed to Dec of 1954 when 'Hearts of Stone' took the lead at #1 to sell more than a million copies for Dot. The Sisters had moved over from RCA that year as they commenced to mix some swing with rock. The Fontanes released a few popular titles into the latter fifties, though their only other Top Ten song was 'Seventeen' at #3 in August of 1955.

'Happy Days and Lonely Nights'   Fontane Sisters

Recorded c April 1954 NYC   Issued on Dot 45-15171 & EP Dot DEP-1019

Composition: Billy Rose / Fred Fisher

'Hearts of Stone'   Fontane Sisters

Recorded c September 1954 NYC   Issued on Dot 45-15265   Dec 1954

Composition: Eddie Ray / Rudy Jackson

'Rock Love'   Fontane Sisters

Recorded Jan 1955   Issued on Dot 45-15333

Composition: Henry Glover

'Seventeen'   Fontane Sisters w the Billy Vaughn Orchestra

Recorded June 1955 Chicago   Issued on Dot 45-15386

Composition: Boyd Bennett / Chuck Gorman / John Young

'Adorable'   Fontane Sisters w the Billy Vaughn Orchestra

Recorded Sep 1955 Chicago   Matrix 8976   Issued on Dot 15428 A

Composition: Buck Ram

'Daddy O'   Fontane Sisters w the Billy Vaughn Orchestra

Recorded Sep 1955 Chicago   Matrix 8977   Issued on Dot 15428 B

Composition: Buford Abner / Charlie Gore / Louis Innis

'Still'   Fontane Sisters w the Billy Vaughn Orchestra

Recorded c Aug 1956 possibly Hollywood   Issued on Dot 45-15501

Composition: Dorian Burton / Howard Plummer Jr.

The Fontane Sisters saw their end coming in 1961 when Geri becameg pregnant. However, yet under contract with Dot, they continued to record until circa March of 1963. Along the way arrived 'Tips of My Fingers' and 'Summertime Love' along with tracks toward the album, 'Tips of My Fingers':

'Summertime Love'   Fontane Sisters w the Billy Vaughn Orchestra

Recorded c April 1957 probably Hollywood   Issued on DOT DLP-3531 & DLP 25531

Composition: Billy Vaughn

By some time in 1964 all three Sisters were married with resolve to live private lives. Each have since died, Geri on September 13 of 1993, Bea on March 25 of 2002 and Marge on December 3 of 2003.