King Sisters Very Rare 4x Autographed One of a Kind Candid Photo 1940s

Description

Here is an exceptionally rare wonderful one of a kind autographed candid photo of The King Sisters, signed by all four King Sisters, from their prime in the 1940s. A great image. The King Sisters consisted of ALYCE KING (1916-1996, born Alyce Driggs in Payson, Utah), DONNA KING (1918-2007, born Donna Loivia Driggs in Utah), LOUISE KING (1913-1997, born Luise Driggs in Payson, Utah) and YVONNE KING, (1931-2009, born Cornelia Yvonne Driggs in Payson, Utah). They were one of the most popular vocal groups of the big band era. They got their start as the Driggs Sisters in 1931, broadcasting on Oakland, California's KLX radio (now KNEW), but changed their names and act to the more showbiz-friendly King Sisters on the advice of the station manager. The quartet sang with Horace Heidt in the late 1940s, Kay Kyser in the late 1950s and their own orchestra in the early 1940s and scored hits in Nighty Night, I Said No, The Hut Hut Song, I Understand, I'll Get By and In The Mood. They also appeared in a few movies during the 1940s and, after their popularity waned, launched a popular TV variety show The King Family Show (1965-1969).
Born and raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah, the King Sisters were part of the Driggs Family of Entertainers. Their father was William King Driggs.
Their first professional job was with a Salt Lake City radio station, from which they graduated to a station in Oakland, California. In the early 1930s sisters Luise, Maxine, and Alyce formed a vocal trio along the lines of their idols, the Boswell Sisters, and traveled to San Francisco to audition for radio station KGO (to replace the Boswell Sisters themselves, who were leaving the station)." After this, Maxine retired to home life in Oakland and sisters Donna and Yvonne were added to the roster.
In 1935, the King Sisters accepted a job with bandleader Horace Heidt. Gradually, relations between the King Sisters and Heidt deteriorated to the point where they left the band. In the following years, they separately and together sang with the bands of Artie Shaw's Old Gold program and Charlie Barnet and Al Pearce series. They turned down a request to be the vocal group for the Glenn Miller Orchestra. They recorded for Bluebird Records, a sub-label of RCA Victor and the same label as Miller, and also had their first hit with a vocal version of Miller's hit, "In the Mood".
In 1937, Luise married guitarist Alvino Rey. At the peak of the sisters' success, they appeared in a number of 1940s Hollywood films. During World War II, they appeared regularly on Kay Kyser's radio series. In late 1953, Alyce, Marilyn, and Yvonne joined Gene Autry's Melody Ranch on CBS Radio as the Gene Autry Blue Jeans, replacing the Pinafores (Eunice, Beulah, and Ione Kettle), and continued there along with Avino Rey until the program's end in early May 1956. In 1965, the King Sisters began hosting their own ABC TV series, The King Family Show, which featured family members including Alyce's husband, actor Robert Clarke, and her sons, Ric and Lex de Azevedo, and Cam Clarke, as well as other talent. The show ran from 1965–1966, with a 1969 revival.
A second generation of the King Family, the Four King Cousins, continues to carry on the musical tradition. More prominently, Luise's grandsons Win and William Butler are also musicians as part of the rock band Arcade Fire.
Movie credits below. A very rare one of a kind candid autographed photo.
Will ship worldwide. I always combine shipping on multiple orders.
Filmography:
Golden Ladder (Short)
Singers
1957The Ray Anthony Show (TV Series)
- Episode dated 12 April 1957 (1957)
- Episode dated 1 March 1957 (1957)
1954The Red Skelton Hour (TV Series)
Guest Vocalists / Saloon Gal Dancers
- Deadeye at the Golden Nugget (1954) ... Guest Vocalists / Saloon Gal Dancers
1946Cuban Pete
Singers
1946Swingin' Down the Scale (Short)
Singers
1945On Stage Everybody
The King Sisters
1945Thrill of a Romance
Specialty Act (uncredited)
1944Meet the People
Quartet (uncredited)
1943Larceny with Music
Singing Group
1942Sing Your Worries Away
The King Sisters
1939Snow Follies (Short)
Quartet
1939Second Fiddle
Vocal Quartette (uncredited)
1936Crash Donovan
Quartet (uncredited)