King Sister Yvonne Burch dies at 89

more images

King Sister Yvonne Burch dies at 89

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Yvonne King Burch, who gained early fame as one of the singing King Sisters during the big band era before launching her entire extended musical clan into show business as the King Family, has died. She was 89.

Mrs. Burch died in a Santa Barbara hospital Sunday, where she was taken for injuries she suffered in a fall last week, said her daughter, Tina Cole.

She spent three decades singing and recording with the King Sisters, one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1930s and 1940s. A Grammy nomination for their Capitol Records album “Imagination” capped the group’s career in 1959.

In 1963, Mrs. Burch conceived and produced a benefit concert with her sisters and three dozen relativesthat marked the debut of the King Family, which went on to headline variety series, 17 specials and appearances on the top TV entertainment shows.

Information from: The Sacramento Bee, www.sacbee.com