The Lana Sisters
| Company type | Vocal ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Founder | Iris Long, Lynne Abrams |
| Defunct | 1963 |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Mary O'Brien (Dusty Springfield), Evelyn Taylor (manager) |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
The Lana Sisters were a British vocal ensemble established in 1958 by Iris Long and Lynne Abrams. They enlisted Mary O'Brien—who would later gain fame as Dusty Springfield—through an advertisement placed in The Stage. Under the management of Evelyn Taylor, the trio toured throughout England, being marketed as genuine siblings: Iris (Riss), Lynne, and Mary (Shann) Lana.
The group made appearances on the BBC programs Six-Five Special and Drumbeat, sharing the stage with performers such as Adam Faith and John Barry. They also took part in the holiday special "Tommy Steele’s Spectacular," delivering a rendition of "Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Backseat". Their engagements included two performances at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall and tours alongside prominent artists like Cliff Richard, Adam Faith, and Morecambe & Wise. Their rendition of Marv Johnson's "You Got What It Takes" secured a position within Ireland’s Top 10 charts in 1960.
In 1960, Mary O'Brien departed to create The Springfields with her brother Tom Springfield and Tim Feild. She adopted the stage name Dusty Springfield before embarking on a solo career beginning in 1963.
The Lana Sisters remained active until 1963, when Lynne Abrams exited the group to marry. Following this, Riss Long established the Chantelles alongside Sandra Orr and Jay Adams; this new group appeared in the 1965 musical film Dateline Diamonds.
Singles
- 1958: "Chimes of Arcady" / "Ring-a My Phone" (Fontana H 148)
- 1959: "Buzzin'" / "Cry, Cry, Baby" (Fontana H 176)
- 1959: "Mister Dee Jay" / "Tell Him No" (Fontana H 190)
- 1959: "(Seven Little Girls) Sitting in the Back Seat" (with Al Saxon) / "Sitting on the Sidewalk" (Fontana H 221)
- 1960: "My Mother's Eyes" / "You Got What It Takes" (Fontana H 235)
- 1960: "Tintarella Di Luna (Magic Colour Of The Moonlight)" / "Someone Loves You, Joe" (Fontana H 252)
- 1960: "Two-Some" / "Down South" (Fontana H 283)
Compilations
- 2011: Chantelly Lace: The Complete Singles Plus Bonus Tracks (RPM Records RETRO 896)
- 2013: The Springfields, The Lana Sisters – Introducing The Springfields (One Day Music, DAYCD205)
- 2014: Dusty Springfield featuring The Lana Sisters and The Springfields – The Early Years (Jasmine Records JASCD 759)
External links
- The Lana Sisters, Chantelle Music Ltd
- Archive feature from 2012: Lynne Essex – The Lana Sisters, The Widow Stanton