The Pixies Three – Party With The Pixies Three (1964) @ 320

Members:

Debra Swisher, Kaye McCool, Midge Bollinger

Members:

Debra Swisher, Kaye McCool, Midge Bollinger

The Pixies Three are an American teenage vocal girl group formed in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in 1957 by schoolmates Debbie Swisher and Kaye McCool. They are known for their early 1960s hit songs “Birthday Party” and “442 Glenwood Avenue”

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

Their debut single, "Birthday Party" was a huge success locally 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 sides charted), 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 remake of The Crows’ 1954 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.

Throughout 1964, the girls found themselves touring on several packages with The Dave Clark Five and Bobby Vee and others. On June 17 that year, they appeared at Pittsburgh's West View Park with Bobby Goldsboro and other performers in a concert headlined by The Rolling Stones, who were on their first American tour.

The girls' fourth single caused some 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, "It’s 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 from high school and went their separate ways. The following year, lead singer Swisher made a solo single: a remake of The Beach Boys’ “You’re So Good To Me”, backed with remake of The Angels’ “Thank You And Goodnight”. Coincidentally, she joined The Angels shortly thereafter, replacing Toni Mason as lead vocalist.

 01. The Pixies Three - Welcome To The Party 

 02. The Pixies Three - 442 Glenwood Avenue 

 03. The Pixies Three - 16 Candles 

 04. The Pixies Three - That's Why I Love My Guy 

 05. The Pixies Three - Party, Party, Party 

 06. The Pixies Three - Party Lights 

 07. The Pixies Three - Gee 

 08. The Pixies Three - Birthday Party 

 09. The Pixies Three - Happy Happy Birthday Baby 

 10. The Pixies Three - Brand New Boy 

 11. The Pixies Three - House Party 

 12. The Pixies Three - After The Party 

***