The Vernons Girls were an ensemble group of female vocalists from the UK, formed at the Vernons football pools company in Liverpool during the 1950s. Initially known as The Voices of Vernons, they appeared on Eamonn Andrews' BBC television series in 1957 and later transitioned to a sixteen-piece choir. The group released their first LP, The Vernons Girls, featuring standards such as "We'll Gather Lilacs" and "Lonely Ballerina", in 1958. Led by Maureen Kennedy, the group slimmed down to five and later three members by 1962, signing with Decca Records, where they recorded covers of American hits including "Lover Please" and "You Know What I Mean". Their cover of "Lover Please" became a hit. The trio of Jean Owen (aka Samantha Jones), Frances Lea, and Maureen Kennedy also appeared on film in the 1964 TV special Around The Beatles with The Beatles, plus Long John Baldry, P.J. Proby and Millie Small, in the Billy Fury film Play It Cool, and in Just For Fun. As session singers for Decca, they provided backing vocals on many hit singles during the 1960s, including Billy Fury's "Maybe Tomorrow". By 1964, their run of chart successes had come to an end, ultimately leading to their disbandment.
