Phyllis McGuire \u2014 the lead singer and last remaining member of popular 1950s trio the McGuire Sisters \u2014 has died at 89.
\nThe Middletown, Ohio, \u2026<\/b>
\nPhyllis McGuire \u2014 the lead singer and last remaining member of popular 1950s trio the McGuire Sisters \u2014 has died at 89. The Middletown, Ohio, native passed away Tuesday at her lavish estate in Las Vegas, although no cause of death was given, the Las Vegas Sun reported. The singer received her first big break in 1952, when Phyllis and older sisters Christine and Dorothy McGuire were signed by Coral Records, Variety reported. That same year, they claimed first prize at the \u201cArthur Godfrey Talent Scouts\u201d competition. The talented trio then took the music sphere by storm, touring the country and notching frequent appearances on \u201cThe Ed Sullivan Show\u201d and other variety shows, the Wrap reported. The McGuire Sisters would go on to perform for five presidents and even Queen Elizabeth II during the course of their illustrious career. The group is best known for their hit singles, namely their pop cover of the 1954 hit \u201cSincerely\u201d by the Moonglows and their 1955 rendition of \u201cSugartime.\u201d Both topped the Billboard\u2019s US songs chart and sold over a million copies, as did their 1956 song \u201cPicnic.\u201d Unfortunately, the wholesome crooners \u2014 known for their perfectly coiffed hairdos and synchronized dance moves \u2014 had their image somewhat sullied in the \u201960s after reports surfaced that Phyllis had a fling with Chicago mobster Sam Giancana. The vocalist claimed their relationship was merely platonic, although the 1995 film \u201cSugartime\u201d went a different route. In 1965, Phyllis testified before a grand jury that she knew Giancana was a criminal but was unaware of his specific activities. The group took a temporary hiatus in 1968, during which Phyllis embarked on a solo career. They reunited in 1985, when they performed for nearly two more decades, culminating in a final large-scale appearance in the 2004 PBS special, \u201cMagic Moments: The Best of \u201950s Pop,\u201d when Phyllis was in her 70s. The McGuire Sisters were inducted into the National Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1994. Dorothy died in 2012 at the age of 84, and Christine died in 2018 at 92. \u201cI don\u2019t fear living, and I don\u2019t fear dying,\u201d Phyllis told Vanity Fair in 1989. \u201cYou only live once, and I\u2019m going to live it to the fullest, until away I go. And I\u2019m going to continue singing as long as somebody wants me.\u201d<\/p>\n