R.I.P.: Maxine Brown Russell, Singer With The Browns

Maxine Brown Russell

Maxine Brown Russell, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 as part of sibling trio The Browns, died in Little Rock, Arkansas, Monday from complications of heart and kidney disease.

Russell was 87 years old, according to The Tennessean.

Russell was born into her musical family on April 27, 1931, in Campti, Louisiana. She performed with siblings Jim Ed and Bonnie Brown as The Browns. The siblings' first chart single "Here Today and Gone Tomorrow" peaked at No. 7 in 1955, and in 1956, their recording of "I Take the Chance" hit No. 2 on the country charts. However, The Browns were most known for their sweet harmonies on “The Three Bells,” which was released in 1959.

Produced by Chet Atkins, "The Three Bells" spent 10 weeks atop the country chart, four weeks on the pop charts, and even crossed over to the Hot R&B Sides chart, peaking at No. 10. Five decades after its release, “The Three Bells” experienced a minor resurgence when it was featured in two episodes of the final season of the HBO drama “The Sopranos.”



The Browns continued to find crossover success with songs including “The Old Lamplighter" and “Scarlet Ribbons.” Russell's first success as a songwriter came with The Browns' release of "Looking Back To See." In 1963, The Browns were invited to join the Grand Ole Opry.