The Lana Sisters
# The Lana Sisters

The Lana Sisters were a British vocal group formed by Iris Long in 1958, along with Lynne Abrams. They put an advert in The Stage for a third member and got a reply from Mary O'Brien, who would go on to solo success a few years later as Dusty Springfield.

They were managed by Evelyn Taylor, as they toured around England. Initial publicity for the group claimed they were three actual sisters with the surname Lana: Iris (or Riss), Lynne, and Shann (or Shan). (Iris Long and Lynne Abrams were Riss and Lynne Lana, Mary O'Brien was Shann Lana.) They appeared on the BBC's Drumbeat with Adam Faith and John Barry, and later took part in a Christmas special "Tommy Steele’s Spectacular" with the song "Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Backseat".

They appeared twice at the Royal Albert Hall and toured with Cliff Richard, Adam Faith, and Morecambe & Wise. Their cover of the Marv Johnson song "You Got What It Takes" became a Top 10 hit in Ireland in 1960. The group broke up at the end of 1960.

When Dusty Springfield left the Lana Sisters she joined her brother Tom Springfield and another friend (Tim Feild) to make The Springfields. She went solo in 1963.

After Iris left the Lana Sisters, a few years later (and now going by Riss Long), she formed the Chantelles with two friends.

## Discography

### Singles

* 1958: "Chimes of Arcady" / "Ring-a My Phone" (Fontana H 148)
* 1959: "Buzzin'" / "Cry, Cry, Baby" (Fontana H 176)
* 1959: "Mister Dee Jay" / "Tell Him No" (Fontana H 190)
* 1959: "(Seven Little Girls) Sitting in the Back Seat" (with Al Saxon) / "Sitting on the Sidewalk" (Fontana H 221)
* 1960: "My Mother's Eyes" / "You Got What It Takes" (Fontana H 235)
* 1960: "Tintarella Di Luna (Magic Colour Of The Moonlight)" / "Someone Loves You, Joe" (Fontana H 252)
* 1960: "Two-Some" / "Down South" (Fontana H 283)

### Compilations

* 2011: Chantelly Lace: The Complete Singles Plus Bonus Tracks (RPM Records RETRO 896)
* 2013: The Springfields, The Lana Sisters – Introducing The Springfields (One Day Music, DAYCD205)
* 2014: Dusty Springfield featuring The Lana Sisters and The Springfields – The Early Years (Jasmine Records JASCD 759)
