billie holiday and the stardusters

Biography

The Stardusters were an American vocal group formed in the early 1930s in Springfield, Illinois, initially as a high school trio consisting of Curt Purnell, Glen Galyon, and Dick Wylder, who had known each other since childhood. They began performing at local events like church parties and expanded their career by moving east in 1935 to work summer seasons in Massachusetts and later join Herbert Marsh's orchestra in Boston. By 1937, they relocated to New York, adding a female singer to become a quartet, with Mary McKim (Purnell's wife) joining in 1939, and began appearing on network radio programs[1][3].

In September 1941, the Stardusters signed a five-year contract with Charlie Spivak's orchestra, where June Hutton replaced McKim as female vocalist, becoming a key part of the band's sound and popular among college audiences. Internal changes occurred, including Galyon's departure in 1943 and replacement by Bob Lenn, but tensions led to their dismissal later that year. Post-Spivak, they pursued radio, film, and recording work on the West Coast, backing artists like Phil Brito and recording under their own name. In 1948, they signed with Decca, providing backing vocals for Evelyn Knight's hits 'A Little Bird Told Me' and 'Powder Your Face With Sunshine,' as well as Billie Holiday on tracks like 'Weep No More,' and achieved a top ten hit with 'I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore' in 1949[1][6].

Known for their close-harmony vocal jazz style, the Stardusters were active through the 1940s and 1950s, supporting artists like Perry Como and appearing in polls like Down Beat's vocal combo category. Their legacy lies in their contributions to big band and vocal group recordings during the swing era, blending tight harmonies with jazz orchestration[1][5].

Fun Facts

• The group started as childhood friends performing at a church party in Springfield, Illinois, before becoming professional[1].
• They were let go by Charlie Spivak in 1943 amid hints of 'disharmony,' after which Spivak never replaced them with another vocal group[1].
• June Hutton, their female vocalist with Spivak, was the half-sister of bandleader Ina Ray Hutton[1].
• In 1948 Decca sessions, they backed Billie Holiday with a six-voice lineup including Johnny 'Eager' Parker[6].

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Charlie Spivak - orchestra leader; signed five-year contract as featured vocal quartet (integral to early Spivak band sound, including Pin-Up Girl film) [1941-1943]
• June Hutton - female vocalist in the quartet (Spivak orchestra performances and recordings) [1941-1943]
• Billie Holiday - backing vocal group on Decca recordings ('Weep No More' and other 1948 sessions) [1948]
• Evelyn Knight - backing vocals on hit singles ('A Little Bird Told Me,' 'Powder Your Face With Sunshine') [1948]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. I'll Be Seeing You (Billie Holiday)
2. Blue Moon (Solitude)
3. Solitude (Solitude)
4. All of Me
5. April In Paris (All Or Nothing At All)
6. As Time Goes By (The Complete Commodore Recordings)
7. Strange Fruit (Billie Holiday)
8. Autumn In New York (Recital)
9. Crazy He Calls Me (Lover Man)
10. You Go To My Head (Solitude)

External Links

• Spotify