Died On This Date (September 4, 2012) Lillian Lopez / Lead Singer For Odyssey; Had Big Disco Hit With “Native New Yorker”

Lillian Lopez
November 16, 1935 – September 4, 2012

Lillian Lopez is best remembered as the lead singer for ’70s disco outfit, Odyssey. Formed in New York City in 1977, the group initially included Lillian’s sister, Louise Lopez and friend, Tony Reynolds. Sister, Carmen Lopez performed with her siblings during their pre-Odyssey days.  In December of 1977, the group scored a dance hit with “Native New Yorker,” which shot to #21 on the Billboard charts and #5 on the UK charts.  Odyssey released numerous records over the next few years, but none did as well as “Native New Yorker” until 1982’s “Inside Out,” which reached #13 in the US and #3 in the UK.  Much more popular in Europe, the group had no fewer than ten hits there including “Use It Up And Wear It Out” which topped the UK chart in 1980. Their music continues to be popular in the UK thanks in part to the Northern Soul scene.  Lopez, the only original member of Odyssey, toured with them until her retirement in 2003.  Lillian Lopez was 76 when she died of cancer on September  4, 2012.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

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Odyssey

Died On This Date (September 7, 2012) Dorothy McGuire / The McGuire Sisters

Dorothy McGuire
February 19, 1928 – September 7, 2012

L-R: Christine, Phyllis, Dorothy

Dorothy McGuire who, along with her sisters, Phyllis McGuire and Christine McGuire, performed as the McGuire Sisters, a very popular singing group during the 1950s and ’60s.  It was back in 1935, when youngest sister, Phyllis was just four years old, that the girls began singing together.  Before they knew it, they were singing at weddings, church revivals, and military bases.  In 1952, the McGuire Sisters appeared on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and were hired by Godfrey to perform at his shows for the next seven years.  They also signed a recording contract with Coral Records that same year.  Throughout their recording career, the McGuire Sisters scored six gold records and had hits with songs like “Sincerely” and “Sugartime.”  They were immensely popular guests on television shows hosted by the likes of Dean Martin, Milton Berle, Andy Williams, and Ed Sullivan.  They performed for Queen Elizabeth II as well as Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush.  The group retired in 1968 after reportedly being blacklisted from many venues due to Phyllis’ relationship with mobster, Sam Giancana.  They reunited in 1986 and performed in Las Vegas and beyond well into 2000s.  In later years, they opened McGuire’s Pub near Sarasota, Florida.  Dorothy McGuire was 84 when she passed away on September 7, 2012.

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The McGuire Sisters' Greatest Hits - The McGuire Sisters