Rare Photos of The Kim Sisters in 1960

The Kim Sisters was a South Korean female trio who made their career in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. They were the two sisters Sue (Sook-ja)and Aija (Ai-ja) and a third member, cousin Mia (Minja) Kim. Sue and Aija were two of seven children of Kim Hae-song, a popular music conductor, and Lee Nan-young, one of Korea's most famous singers before the Korean War, perhaps best known for "the Tears of Mokpo." Mia's father was Lee Bong-ryong, a musician as well.

The sisters arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959 and first performed at the Thunderbird Hotel, where producer Tom Ball did a show with Asian artists. Their successful performances at the Thunderbird led them to the Stardust where Ed Sullivan saw the trio and invited the sisters to perform on his show. The sisters performed on The Ed Sullivan Show more than 22 times.

The Kim Sisters -- Mia, Ai-ja, Sook-ja -- in 1960.

 The Kim Sisters backstage, Chicago, 1960.

 The Kim Sisters backstage, Chicago, 1960.

 The Kim Sisters backstage, Chicago, 1960.

One of the Kim Sisters, Mia, Chicago, 1960.

The Kim Sisters, 1960.

The Kim Sisters, Chicago, 1960.

The Kim Sisters, Chicago, 1960.

Polka-dotted dancers, the three Kims kick up their heels in an old-style jazz dance routine . . .

Ai-Ja Kim performs on stage, Chicago, 1960.

The Kim Sisters, Chicago, 1960.

The Kim Sisters, Chicago, 1960.

The Kim Sisters, Chicago, 1960.

Split-sheathed singers, Min Ja (with guitar), Sook Ja (with clarinet) and Ai Ja (with saxophone) leap off the stage after performing 'Five Foot Two.' The trio plays 10 instruments, including a bass fiddle and a banjo.

On a sleigh, the three Kim sisters start off for a horse-drawn tour of [their manager's mother's] snow-covered Illinois farm. From the left are Sook Ja, Ai Ja, and Min Ja.

Kim Sisters, Illinois, 1960.

Kim Sisters, Illinois, 1960.

Kim Sisters, Illinois, 1960.

Kim Sisters with their manager's family, Illinois, 1960.

Min Ja, a.k.a., Mia, with one of Kim Sisters' manager's nephews, Illinois, 1960.

Kim Sisters with their manager's family, Illinois, 1960.

In pony-tails, girls watch Queen for a Day at manager's mother's farm in Marengo, Ill. Girls were surprised to learn show's winner ruled nothing.

Kim Sisters, Illinois, 1960.

(Photos by Robert W. Kelley—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)