Originally consisting of eight members,
the Pied Pipers had their greatest success after nearly half of the members left the group. The remaining
Pipers (Billy Wilson, Chuck Lowry,
Jo Stafford, and her then-husband John Huddleston) joined the
Tommy Dorsey Band in 1939, backing
Sinatra on many classic recordings. In 1942
the Pied Pipers broke away from
Dorsey, and Huddleston joined the army, to be replaced by Hal Hopper, one of the original eight members. The group backed
Johnny Mercer on several tracks during the early 40s, including "Candy" and "Blues in the Night." Their first single ("Deacon Jones"/"Pistol Packin' Mama") was released in 1943.
Stafford had become quite busy with her solo career and left the group in 1944, to be replaced by
June Hutton. Throughout the rest of the decade
the Pied Pipers charted frequently, yet their popularity waned in the '50s. A group bearing
the Pied Pipers' name still tours today. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine