The Starlighters were an American singing group of the mid-20th century of the late 1940s and 1950s.
The group was formed in 1946, the members being Pauline Byrns (1917–1990), Vince Degen, [Tony Paris, Howard Hudson, and a young Andy Williams (1927–2012), who continued on in subsequent decades with a famous musical career and hosting a longtime variety television show of his own. All were alumni of Six Hits and a Miss. Williams soon left and was replaced by Jerry Duane. [1] Byrns retired from singing in 1947. [2] Imogene Lynn (1922–2003), then became the Starlighters' lead female vocalist in 1949. [3]
The group performed mainly as backing vocalists, frequently backing singer Jo Stafford (1917–2008), and her later variety show on television, [1] as well as many other artists on a number of singles. [4] They also performed songs in cartoon and live short films and the feature films Song of Idaho [5] (1948) and (uncredited) in Honeychile [6] (1951) and With a Song in My Heart [7] (1952). The Starlighters appeared on radio on The Chesterfield Supper Club (1944–1950 on NBC Radio and 1948–1950 on NBC television), [8] and on television on The Jo Stafford Show (1954–1955). [6]
