The Starlighters

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. Byrns retired from singing in 1947. Imogene Lynn (1922–2003), then became the Starlighters' lead female vocalist in 1949. The group performed mainly as backing vocalists, frequently backing singer Jo Stafford (1917–2008), and her later variety show on television, as well as many other artists on a number of singles. They also performed songs in cartoon and live short films and the feature films Song of Idaho (1948) and (uncredited) in Honeychile (1951) and With a Song in My Heart (1952). The Starlighters appeared on radio on The Chesterfield Supper Club (1944–1950 on NBC Radio and 1948–1950 on NBC television), and on television on The Jo Stafford Show (1954–1955).