The Pixies Three - 442 Glenwood Avenue - 1964

In early 1964, I was living in Miami, Florida, and my cousin Marilin (Spanish spelling) and I were 11 years old at the time. We were starting to become interested in music, dancing and records. We would often get together to play, sing and dance to them. My cousin had bought the 45, "442 Glenwood Avenue", we both loved the record so much we almost wore it out. The song got a lot of airplay in Miami, it peaked at #2 on January 18, 1964 on the most popular Top 40 radio station at the time- WQAM - Tiger Radio. I often think of those innocent days and that wonderful era of girl groups and The Beatles. So to honor it and The Pixies Three I've put together this little video. I dedicate it to my dear cousin Marilin, who to this day is very close to me, and who like a sister, has always shared in my life since we were tiny tots in Cuba. For you Prima...

Here is a brief history of The Pixies Three as taken from Wikipedia:

Having performed in local shows since 1955, the Hanover, Pennsylvania trio of Midge Bollinger (lead vocals), Kaye McCool (low vocals), and Debra Swisher (high vocals) were signed to Mercury Records in 1963 by producers/songwriters John Madara and Dave White, who had discovered the group at a show in Philadelphia (among the groups previous successes were two appearances on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour).

Their first single, "Birthday Party" was a big success regionally and made the Top 40 nationally (The b-side, "Our Love" was written by Kaye). After their second single, 442 Glenwood Avenue" / "Cold, Cold Winter (in which both made the charts), Midge Bollinger left the group and was replaced by Bonnie Long, who assumed the high vocals while Debby Swisher became the new lead vocalist. The first single by the revamped line-up was a cover of The Crows 1951 R&B hit "Gee". This was followed by their debut album, Party With The Pixies Three, an early rock and roll concept album based on a Friday after-school party. The album did not chart, but it has become an often sought-after item amongst record collectors.

The girls' fourth single caused a bit of controversy upon its release. "The Hootch" (with live audience dubbed in) was intended to be a new dance concept. However, it was revealed that "hootch" was a slang term for "booze", so disc jockeys started playing the B-side, "Its Summertime U.S.A", which became the A-side.

The Pixies Three continued into 1965 with two more singles, "Orphan Boy" and "Your Way". A few unreleased demos followed, then the girls graduated high school and went their separate ways. The following year, lead singer Swisher made a solo single: a cover of The Beach Boys Youre So Good To Me, backed with a cover of The Angels Thank You And Goodnight. Ironically, she joined The Angels shortly thereafter, replacing Peggy Santiglia as lead vocalist.

In 1991, The Pixies Three performed for the first time in twenty five years at their high school reunion. Since then, they have been performing several times a year, mainly in and around their hometown as well as Ohio, New England, and along the Atlantic coast.

Members (1955-1965, 1991-present) * Midge (Bollinger) Neel (1955-1964, 2001-present -- born December 29 in Hanover, PA) * Bonnie (Long) Walker (1964-1965, 1991-present -- born September 6 in Hanover, PA) * Kaye (McCool) Krebs (1955-1965, 1991-present -- born October 1 in Uniontown, PA) * Debra (Swisher) Horn (1955-1965, 1991-2000 -- born February 26 in Hanover, PA)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• pop
• rock
• Girl
• Groups
• Teen
• Music
• 1964

[speedy45rpm]

Charming video and story, boopkid. I remember this cheerful song well from when it was out. I recall "The Mighty 910" WSBA in York always boosting the Pixies Three because they were from the area. I saw them perform in 1963 in Atlantic City, around the same time I saw performers like Randy and the Rainbows and Lesley Gore and Jan and Dean. Sweet memories of a happy time. Thank you so much for posting this with such style.

[boopkid]

@speedy45rpm Your generous and kind post touched me. Thank You!

[stephkrebs]

Kate is my mom. Thanks do much for posting.

[boopkid]

@stephkrebs Thank you for posting here. I am honored by your kind post. It was a pleasure to do it.

[Petemonster62]

Boopkid, I have tried but I can't catch what " Goofy Eddie " is bringing. If you know, please print it here. Thanks, Petemonster62.

[boopkid]

@Petemonster62 his "ukelele"!

[smokeysport2]

Wow that's a great song, but that beat in the bass line is so lively it gets stuck in your head!

[KnightVow]

The Pixies Three were the quintessential girls next door. This is an innocent sound from an innocent time that is missed by all who lived through it.

[RonSafreed]

Boopkid I lived in Miami Dade County back then I was in the 2nd grade but I remember this song but for many years I did,not know who sang the song.

[boltsyllable]

So many great songs! I saw them when I was 14 at Willow Grove Park outside Phila. Dick Clark presented them. They were great and I thought they were "hot" to use today's term!

[centralparocker]

Man, I'd love to be at 442 Glenwood Ave..in '62, '63 and '64..!!!!

[centralparocker]

I lived in Gettysburg, just down the street from Hanover....

[lumpagogo]

@163pete

You're lucky, mang. Was in the Army in W. Germany when this came out. That the only reason my never heard it until this summer. It's one of the 10 best of the entire decade.

[163pete]

I must have played this song over 500 time's when it came out. I still have the 45