The passing of Jean Dinning, one of the famed Dinning Sisters from the mid 1900’s who guested with stars such as Buddy Clark, Perry Como and Kate Smith, in addition to their own shows, gives an opportunity to reflect back on a musical family that spans generations and genres.
The sisters were three of nine siblings that all sang in the church choir directed by their father with Mrs. Dinning on organ in 1930’s Oklahoma. The youngest Dinning sibling, Mark, gained fame through “Teenage Angel” which became a number one hit and was included in the soundtrack of American Graffiti.
Jean Dinning, who starred with her sisters Lou and Ginger, rivaled the Andrew Sisters in pitch and performance. Their biggest hit was “Buttons and Bows”, which gained immense popularity from the Bob Hope and Jane Russell movie “Paleface”. Lou left the group to raise a family and focus on a solo career, and was eventually replaced by younger sister Dolores.
Ginger, who raised a family in Franklin Lakes and then moved to Oakland, NJ, passed the passion for music on to her sons Kevin and Steve Lutke who independently, and as a band, perform music that’s deep in the tradition Ginger was born in to. American country and swing dominated the Dinning Sisters musical hits, and bluegrass and jazz were the chosen genres of the Lutke brothers. Both distinctly American forms of music not often associated together.
Dean Dinning, cousin to Steve and Kevin, also enjoys success with Toad The Wet Sprocket which mixed folk and rock with songs in the Top 20s and Top 40s.
Below is a sampling of videos featuring music 2 videos of The Dinning Sisters singing; one a recording of Mark Dinning performing Teen Angel; one of Steve Lutke performing with a bluegrass band on banjo; one of Kevin Lutke performing with a jazz trio another; and one of bassist Dean Dinning with Toad The Wet Sprocket.