The Fontane Sisters

A traditional pop music trio consisting of sisters Bea, Marge and Geri Rosse, The Fontane Sisters had success in the 1950s and `60s, with numerous television and radio appearances duetting with Perry Como. Initially formed as the Ross Trio, featuring Bea and Marge with their brother Frank on guitar, they disbanded in 1944 after Frank was drafted into the army (and subsequently killed a year later). Geri, who had just finished school, took his place and they began performing as The Fontane Sisters after adapting the surname of their great-grandmother. The trio were signed to RCA Victor in the late 1940s, and snapped up by the NBC television network for on-screen appearances. After appearing on `The Perry Como Show' and `The Chesterfield Supper Club' to perform with Perry Como, as well as backing him on several of his recordings, they had their first hit in their own right in 1951 in the form of 'The Tennessee Waltz'. After signing to Dot Records in 1954, they had their first number one, 'Hearts of Stone', which sold over a million copies, and had continued commercial success with over 18 songs reaching the Billboard Charts. The sisters retired in 1961, vowing to never tour or record again with the rising of rock and roll pushing them away from the spotlight, and the trio agreed that they did not want to change their style to suit changing tastes. After living private lives, Geri, Bea and Marge passed away in 1993, 2002 and 2003 respectively.

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