The Mint Juleps

This article is about the musical group. For the drink, see Mint julep.

The Mint Juleps
OriginLondon, England
GenresA cappella, pop
Years active1985 (1985)–present
LabelsStiff Records
Members
  • Sandra Charles
  • Debbie Charles
  • Lizzie Charles
  • Marcia Charles
  • Julie Isaac
  • Debbie Longworth

The Mint Juleps are a six-piece all-female a cappella/pop group from the east end of London. The group, who first gained notice in 1986,[1] consists of four sisters: Sandra, Debbie, Lizzie and Marcia Charles, who were joined by two school friends, Julie Isaac and Debbie Longworth.[2] Before they were signed by Stiff Records, they had gained experience touring with Sister Sledge,[1] Billy Bragg, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Henry, Shalamar, Fine Young Cannibals and they had sung back-up for Bob Geldof, the Belle Stars, Alison Moyet, Al Green, Peter Gabriel and Dr. Feelgood.[3] Their debut album, One Time, was issued on Stiff Records in 1985.[4][5] Two of their singles charted on the UK Singles Chart, the covers "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" (No. 62) in 1986 and "Every Kinda People" (No. 58) in 1987.[6] In 1994, the album Round Our Way saw a release in both the UK and US.[7][8]

In December 1988, the group appeared as a cappella singing angels in the BBC Christmas special, Billy's Christmas Angels.[9] In 1990, they appeared in Spike Lee's television documentary, Do It Acapella.[10]

The group also provided lead and backing vocals on Mickey Hart's Mystery Box, which was released in 1996.[11][12]

  1. ^ a b Kleebauer, Alistair (2 November 2010). "Bethnal Green church celebrates with The Mint Juleps and record-spinning Reverend". Docklands & East London Advertiser. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  2. ^ Bush, John. "The Mint Juleps: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Stiff - Mint Juleps". Stiff-records.com. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  4. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 345. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
  5. ^ "One Time - The Mint Juleps | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  6. ^ "MINT JULEPS". Official Charts. 8 March 1986.
  7. ^ "Round Our Way - The Mint Juleps | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  8. ^ "The Mint Juleps | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Radio Times listings for BBC1 on 23rd December 1988". BBC Programme Index. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  10. ^ Hill, Michael. "Usually highbrow PBS goes a cappella with 'Spike & Co.'". Baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  11. ^ Planer, Lindsay. "Mickey Hart's Mystery Box". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 November 2018. All the more diverse are the contributions of the Mint Juleps.... Collectively, their paradisaical harmonies support Hart's occasional leads...
  12. ^ Metzger, John (November 1997). "Mickey Hart's Mystery Box". The Music Box. Retrieved 13 November 2018. The Mint Juleps handle the Hunter-penned lyrics so skillfully that the ensemble essentially becomes a rhythm track of its own.