The Lennon Sisters

Lennon Sisters
Lennon Sisters in 1969 and 1955. 1969, from left: Kathy, Janet, Peggy and Dianne. 1955, from left: Janet, Kathy, Peggy, and Dianne.
Background information
Origin	Venice, California, United States
Genres	Traditional Pop Music
Years active	1955–present
Labels	Brunswick, Coral, Dot, Mercury, Atlantic, Ranwood, Heartland, Maryco
Website	LennonSisters.com
Members	Kathy Lennon Janet Lennon Mimi Lennon
Past members	Dianne Lennon Peggy Lennon

The Lennon Sisters are an American vocal group initially consisting of four of the six sisters from a family of 11 siblings—6 girls, 5 boys: Dianne Barbara (a.k.a. DeeDee) (b. 1 December 1939), Peggy (Margaret Anne) (b. 8 April 1941), Kathy (Kathleen Mary) (b. 2 August 1943), and Janet (Janet Elizabeth) (b. 15 June 1946). All 11 Lennon children were born in Los Angeles, California.

For thirteen years, from 1955 - 1968, the group appeared regularly on The Lawrence Welk Show, receiving union scale wages. Although the original quartet was composed of the eldest sisters, in 1999, younger sister Mimi (b. 16 October 1955- Miriam Theresa) replaced Peggy upon her retirement. Dianne has also since retired. The current line-up of the Lennon Sisters is now a trio consisting of Mimi, Janet and Kathy. They continue to tour around the country and appear annually with their Christmas show at The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri.

The Lennon Sisters were 2001 inductees of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Their parents married in early 1939. Their father, William Herbert Lennon (b 1915-1969) worked as a milkman for many years before getting a job at a local golf course. Their mother, Isabelle Emily "Sis" (1919-2005) remained at home to care for the needs of her very large family. Sis was the daughter of Reina Ysabella Alvarez Denning and Danforth Denning.

During their formative years, the family lived in Venice, California, in a modest, two-bedroom home. This included two parents, 11 children, and one grandmother. They were and are devout Roman Catholics and attended the Church of St. Mark, which is part of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Most, or all of the children attended Catholic school. Throughout the Lennon Sisters' career, their faith has had a major influence/role in both their lives and careers. Many of their songs are either hymns or of a "religious" or spiritual nature. (Source: interview/live performance, 6/18/2013, Home and Family, Hallmark Channel).

The quartet made its television debut on The Lawrence Welk Show on Christmas Eve - December 24, 1955. A high school classmate, Larry Welk, son of Lawrence Welk, brought them to the attention of his father. Welk was at home, sick in bed, when his son brought the sisters in to sing for him. Mr. Welk was so impressed that he immediately booked them for that week's show. They were a mainstay on the show until they left to start a career of their own in 1968. The quartet became a trio from 1960 to 1964; eldest sister Dianne married, left the group, and then rejoined. Peggy sang the high harmony part, Kathy the low, and Janet and Dianne sang the middle and lead harmonies. Janet also specialized in barbershop or counter-harmony singing, taught to her by her father (who performed during the big band era in a quartet with his own three brothers). The girls idolized Patti Page's multi-track vocal sound, feeling they achieved something close to her smooth blend in their Dot recording of "Stars Fell On Alabama." Kathy was especially fond of Connie Francis, evident in her solo recording of "Malaguena Salerosa," which showcased her impressive vocal range. The sisters made no secret that they were huge fans of the innovative, intricate musical stylings of both The Andrews Sisters and The Mills Brothers.