The Roches

As their theme song states, the Roche sisters -- Maggie and Terre and Suzzy -- came from deepest New Jersey and made a smash on the anemic late-'70s Greenwich Village folk circuit by combining traditional, goose-bump-raising vocal harmonies with off-kilter melodies and sharply funny, urbane lyrics. Their beautifully spare 1979 debut album, produced by Robert Fripp in pristine "audio verite," perfectly captured the power of their songwriting and performances. The sisters continued to release critically praised albums (some with more fleshed-out pop arrangements) and maintained a regular touring schedule, both as a trio and in various permutations, into the 21st century. They were particularly beloved in New York City folk circles, where their annual multicultural caroling events were a highlight of the Christmas season.