The Chordettes

The Chordettes were a female popular singing quartet, usually singing a cappella, and specializing in traditional pop music.

They were first organized in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1946. The original members of the group wer

The Chordettes were a female popular singing quartet, usually singing a cappella, and specializing in traditional pop music.

They were first organized in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1946. The original members of the group were Janet Ertel (1913-November 4, 1988), Carol Bushman (her sister-in-law), Dorothy Schwartz, and Jinny Osborn (or Lockard) (April 25, 1927-May 19, 2003). In 1952, Lynn Evans replaced Schwartz, and in 1953, Margie Needham replaced Osborn (who was having a baby), though Osborn later returned to the group. Nancy Overton also was a member of the group at a later time. Originally they sang folk music in the style of The Weavers, but eventually changed to a harmonizing style of the type known as barbershop harmony. Part of this change seems to be influenced by Osborn's father.