The Shaggs
The Shaggs were an American all-female rock group formed in Fremont, New Hampshire in 1968. The band was composed of sisters Dorothy "Dot" Wiggin (vocals/lead guitar), Betty Wiggin (vocals/rhythm guitar), Helen Wiggin (drums), and later Rachel Wiggin (bass).
The Shaggs | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Fremont, New Hampshire |
| Genres | Rock, Pop, Outsider music[1][2] |
| Years active | 1968–1975, 1999 |
| Labels | Third World, Red Rooster, Rounder, RCA Victor |
| Website | http://www.theshaggsonline.com |
| Past members | Dorothy "Dot" Wiggin Helen Wiggin Betty Wiggin Rachel Wiggin |
The sisters' father, Austin Wiggin, made Dot, Betty and Helen start a band. When Austin was young, his mother had predicted that Austin would have daughters who would be part of a famous music group.
The band's only studio album, Philosophy of the World, was released in 1969. The album was not very well-known, though the band's live performances were popular in their local area. The Shaggs disbanded in 1975 after the death of Austin.
Helen Wiggin died in 2006.[3] The widow of Austin Wiggin, Jr., Annie Wiggin, died in 2005.
Members
- Dorothy "Dot" Wiggin — vocals, guitar (1968-1975, 1999)
- Betty Wiggin — guitar, vocals (1968-1975, 1999)
- Helen Wiggin (deceased) — drums (1968-1975)
- Rachel Wiggin — bass guitar (1969-1975)
- Tom Ardolino — drums (1999)
Discography
Studio albums
- Philosophy of the World (1969)
Collections
- Shaggs' Own Thing (1982)
- The Shaggs (1990 - includes all studio recordings)
- Rev-ola (2004 - imported repackaging of The Shaggs with same track listing)
Tribute albums
- Better Than The Beatles - A Tribute to the Shaggs (2001)
V/A compilations
- Songs In The Key of Z - The Curious Universe of Outsider Music (2000)
References
- Chusid, Irwin. Songs in the Key of Z: The Curious Universe of Outsider Music. (Chicago) A Cappella, 2000. ISBN 1556523726.
- Guralnick, Peter. Da Capo Best Music Writing 2000. (New York) Da Capo Press, 2000. ISBN 0306809990.
Notes
- ↑ "A New Philosophy: Revisiting the curious tale of The Shaggs". Archived from the original on 2011-05-21. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
- ↑ "A sweetly 'Shaggs'-adelic tribute to '60s girl group - New York Post". New York Post. 8 June 2011.
- ↑ "Obituaries for Fri. April 21, 2006". seacoastonline.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
Other websites
- The Shaggs official website Archived 2008-05-21 at the Wayback Machine
- The Shaggs at Allmusic
- My Pal Foot-Foot (unofficial site)
- Variety review of 2003 off-Broadway production Philosophy of the World, by Joy Gregory, based on the Shaggs
- Obituary for Helen Wiggin Bickford Archived 2011-06-22 at the Wayback Machine