Alvin and the Chipmunks

File:Cartoon alvin.jpg
 File:CGI Alvin Seville Drawing.jpg
*This article is about the sing-along group. For other uses, see Alvin and the Chipmunks (disambiguation).*
**Alvin and the Chipmunks** is a 6-time Grammy award-winning animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated chipmunks:

**Alvin**, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group;
**Simon**, the tall, bespectacled intellectual;
**Theodore**, the chubby, impressionable sweetheart.
The trio is managed by their human father and confidant, David Seville. In reality, David Seville was Bagdasarian's stage name, and The Chipmunks themselves are named after the executives of their original record label, Liberty Records:

**Alvin Bennett** (the president),
**Simon Waronker** (the founder and owner), and
**Theodore Keep** (the chief engineer).
The Chipmunks act began with recordings first brought to life in Bagdasarian's 1950s novelty recordings under the name David Seville and the Chipmunks. For stage purposes, such as during an appearance on *The Ed Sullivan Show*, Bagdasarian lip-synced the words of "David Seville" in front of a small puppet theater, with puppets of the three Chipmunks also lip-syncing. The puppets looked similar to the chipmunk illustrations on the covers of some of the group's 45 RPM records. The characters were an unprecedented success, and the singing chipmunks and their manager were given life in several animated cartoon series, using redrawn, anthropomorphic chipmunks, and eventually motion picture.

The voices of the group were all performed by Bagdasarian, who sped up the playback to create higher pitched, comical, squeaky voices. This often-used process was also not entirely new to Bagdasarian, who had also used it for two previous novelty song projects, including "Witch Doctor," but it was so unusual and well executed it earned the trio two Grammy Awards for engineering. Although the characters were fictional, they did release a long line of actual albums and singles, with "The Chipmunk Song" becoming a number-one hit single in the United States.

Since Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.'s passing on January 16, 1972, their voices were performed by Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and Janice Karman in all subsequent incarnations except for the four CGI/live-action films, when they were voiced by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney.

## History

### "Witch Doctor" (1958)

Main article: Witch Doctor
 File:Witch Doctor 45EP Cover.png
In early 1958, Bagdasarian released a novelty song, as David Seville, about being unlucky at love until he found a Witch Doctor who told him "What To Do" to woo his woman. The entire song was done by Bagdasarian in his normal voice, except for the "magic" words, done first in Bagdasarian's pitched-up, pre-Chipmunk voice, and then in a duet between his pitched-up voice and his normal voice. The words, of course, are nonsense: "*Oo-ee, oo-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla, bing-bang*." The "*Walla Walla*" part of the song was just thrown in as a reference to Ross Bagdasarian's uncle who lived in Walla Walla, Washington.

The song was a major hit, sitting at #1 in the *Billboard Top 100*, a predecessor to the *Billboard Hot 100* chart which would be introduced that August, for three weeks during the spring, and the Witch Doctor's "magic words" were being sung by kids in many countries. Nothing in the song makes any reference to The Chipmunks, but the song is now sometimes included on compilations, as if the boys themselves had provided the voice of the Witch Doctor (Bagdasarian did record a Chipmunks version of "Witch Doctor," which appeared on the second Chipmunks album, *Sing Again with The Chipmunks*, in 1960).

### "The Chipmunk Song" (1958)

Main article: The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)
 File:The Chipmunk Song Cover Art.jpg
The Chipmunks first officially appeared on the scene in a novelty record released in late fall 1958 by Bagdasarian. The song, originally listed on the record label (Liberty F-55168) as "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)," featured the singing skills of the chipmunk trio. One phrase in the chorus has Alvin wishing for a hula hoop, which was that year's hot new toy. The novelty record was highly successful, selling more than four million copies in seven weeks, and it launched the careers of its chipmunk stars. The song spent four weeks at #1 on the *Billboard Hot 100* chart from December 22, 1958 to January 12, 1959 (the only Christmas song ever to do so, until December 2019), also earning three Grammy Awards and a nomination for Record of the Year. At the height of its popularity, Bagdasarian and three chipmunk hand-puppets appeared on *The Ed Sullivan Show*, lip-syncing the song. "The Chipmunk Song" appeared on the Chipmunks' debut album, *Let's All Sing with The Chipmunks*, in 1959, and was repeated on *Christmas with The Chipmunks*, released in 1962. The song also has been included on several compilation albums.

### *The Alvin Show* (1961)

Main article: The Alvin Show
 File:The Alvin Show Titlecard.jpg
The first television series was produced by Format Films for Bagdasarian Film Corporation. Although the series was broadcast in black and white, it was produced and later re-run in color. Twenty-six episodes each were produced for the Alvin and the Chipmunks and Clyde Crashcup segments, along with 52 musical segments. Their first solo album, *The Alvin Show*, consisted of songs from the series. Three full episodes of the series were released as part of *The Alvin Show* DVD in 2015.

### Dell Comics and Harvey Classics (1959-1994)

Main article: List of Alvin and the Chipmunks Comics
 File:Compilation of Alvin and the Chipmunks Comics.png
The first comic released by Dell Comics was *The Three Chipmunks* in 1959, with designs closely resembling those of pre-*The Alvin Show*. Three years later Dell premiered the comic series *Alvin*, followed by *Clyde Crashcup* in 1963. Each consisted of 28 and five releases respectively, the last eight *Alvin* comics comprised of material previously released. *Alvin* primarily featured The Chipmunks and David with most releases containing stories from Little Angela, a particularly loud and spoiled girl. *Clyde Crashcup* featured Clyde, the inventor, and Leonardo, his assistant. Harvey Classics released the *Alvin and the Chipmunks* series consisting of five books in 1992.

### *A Chipmunk Christmas* (1981)

Main article: A Chipmunk Christmas
 File:Alvin Giving Away His Golden Echo Harmonica.png
The final Chipmunks album in their original incarnation, *The Chipmunks Go to the Movies*, was released in 1969. After the death of Ross Bagdasarian in 1972 from a heart attack, The Chipmunks' careers stalled until NBC showed interest in the original show (the network carried Saturday morning reruns of *The Alvin Show* as a mid-season replacement in 1979) and the following year, Excelsior Records released a new album of contemporary songs performed by the brothers. The new album — *Chipmunk Punk* — featured Bagdasarian's son, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., doing the voices of the characters. That album and the continued reruns of the series proved to be popular enough to warrant further new records as well as a new television production, and in 1981, The Chipmunks and Seville returned to television in the Christmas special *A Chipmunk Christmas*.

### *Alvin and the Chipmunks* (1983-1990)

Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks (TV series)
Main article: The Chipmunks (TV series)
Main article: The Chipmunks Go to the Movies
 File:Alvin and the Chipmunks Titlecard.png
In 1983, the second animated television series, produced by Ruby-Spears Productions, was released. Titled simply *Alvin and the Chipmunks*, the outline of the show closely followed the original *Alvin Show*. A more sustained success than the original, the series lasted until 1990 with eight seasons. In the first, the show introduced The Chipettes, three female chipmunks — Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor, who each paralleled the original chipmunks in personality (with distinct differences), with their own human guardian, the myopic Miss Beatrice Miller (who arrived in the fourth season).

In 1987, during the fifth season, The Chipmunks had their first animated feature film, *The Chipmunk Adventure*, directed by Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., released to theaters by The Samuel Goldwyn Company. The film featured The Chipmunks and The Chipettes in a contest traveling around the world.

After 1988, the show was renamed just *The Chipmunks* to indicate that there were now two groups of them. The show reflected current trends and historical events in pop culture; The Chipmunks sang recent hits and wore contemporary clothing.

In the 1988–89 season, the show switched production companies to DIC Entertainment, by which time The Chipmunks had truly become anthropomorphized. In 1990, the show switched titles again to *The Chipmunks Go to the Movies*. Each episode in this season was a spoof of a Hollywood film, such as *Back to the Future* and *King Kong*. In addition, several television specials featuring the characters were also released. At the conclusion of the eighth season, the show was cancelled again.

### Direct-to-Video Chipmunks Movies (1999-2000)

Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein
Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman
 File:Scare-Riffic Double Feature Original Cover DVD.jpg
In 1996, the rights to the characters were purchased by Universal Studios. This resulted in The Chipmunks' 1999 reappearance, in the form of the direct-to-video movie *Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein*. The movie was successful enough to spark interest in a sequel, and in 2000, *Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman* appeared. Both movies featured the original cast of the second series reprising their roles, accordingly the tone of the movies is very similar to the series. In 2002, Universal lost the right to use the characters as a result of a breach of contract with Bagdasarian Productions.

### *Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks* (2003)

Main article: Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks
 File:Chipmunk Puppets 2004.jpg
A live-action movie called *Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks* was released on November 15, 2003. It features puppetry used for The Chipmunks and The Chipettes. In this movie, when Dave (Ross Bagdasarian, Jr.) goes out of town, he leaves the young Chipmunks and Chipettes in the care of Lalu (Janice Karman), a friend who is happy to have six preschoolers stay with her. The direct to video feature was directed and co-written by Jerry Rees, who also animated all the CGI effects and voiced two characters. The budget for the project was unusually low, at $600,000. It was also the only live-action appearances of Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and Janice Karman, respectively.

### *Alvin and the Chipmunks* (2007)

Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks (Film)
 File:The Chipmunks sharing presents.jpg
In 2004, 20th Century Fox, Regency Enterprises and Bagdasarian Productions announced a CGI/live-action film adaptation of the popular musical group and animated series. The new film, starring Jason Lee as Dave Seville, was released on December 14, 2007. With Justin Long as Alvin, Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon, and Jesse McCartney as Theodore, The Chipmunks stumble upon Dave who starts their music careers. The motion picture marks the first film in which nobody related to Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. has performed as David or The Chipmunks. Though critics gave the film harsh reviews, audiences flocked to the theaters and marked a revival for The Chipmunks by reaching out to a new, younger generation of viewers.

### *Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel* (2009)

Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
 File:The Chipettes.png
A CGI/live-action sequel to the first film was released on December 23, 2009. The voice actors for The Chipmunks retain their roles, but with the addition of The Chipettes, with Christina Applegate as Brittany, Anna Faris as Jeanette, and Amy Poehler as Eleanor, who leave the forest to try and start their music careers just as The Chipmunks did. This film marks the first motion picture in which Janice Karman does not voice The Chipettes. Despite harsher reviews from critics than the first film, worldwide box office totals increased by nearly $80 million.

### *Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked* (2011)

Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
 File:Mango chase.jpg
A third CGI/live-action film was released on December 16, 2011. The voice actors for both The Chipmunks and The Chipettes retained their roles. In the film, The Chipmunks and The Chipettes go on a cruise with Dave but end up stranded on a deserted island instead. The film was shot aboard the Carnival Dream cruise ship, in Hawaii, and in a studio forest in Canada. The motion picture was planned to be the first Chipmunk movie in 3-D but was announced at the last minute by the producers that the film would be in 2-D.

### *Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip* (2015)

Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
 File:The Chipmunks & The Chipettes After Performing Home.png
A fourth CGI/live-action film was released on December 18, 2015. The voice actors for The Chipmunks and The Chipettes reprise their roles, excluding Eleanor, who is now voiced by Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting instead of Amy Poehler. The filming was carried out in locations including Atlanta, Georgia and Miami, Florida. With the close of the film, the four film series reached a gross total of nearly $1.4 billion worldwide.

### *ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks* (2015-)

Main article: ALVINNN!!! and The Chipmunks
 File:Upcoming Star in Hollywood.jpg
A CGI-animated television series, produced by Technicolor Animation Productions, featuring The Chipmunks and The Chipettes premiered on Nickelodeon (US) on August 3, 2015, after originally premiering in March of the same year in France. Two seasons (each one consisting of 52 11-minute episodes) were originally ordered for the series before an additional three were later approved. In the series Dave does his best to raise the six chipmunks, often finding himself yelling "*ALVINNN!!!*"

In 2019, the Bagdasarian family accepted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for the franchise.

### In Other Media

Main article: In Other Media
The Chipmunks have had an influence on various music groups, TV shows, and films since their creation.

## Characters

### Alvin Seville

 File:Alvin gets an interesting proposition.jpg
Alvin is the leader of The Chipmunks. He is a roller coaster and can be sometimes considered as an anti-hero. His enthusiasm is boundless and his despair bottomless. The term "*look before you leap*" definitely doesn't apply to Alvin, who is impulsive, charming, musical, and full of animal magnetism. He always seems to make up hare-brained schemes to get what he wants: whether it be trying to help his brothers, keeping Dave from figuring something out, or getting out of a sticky situation. However, Alvin seems to refer to his often illogical or crazy plans as "challenging the ordinary." Alvin's signature color is red, and he has blue eyes (although in the CGI/live action film series, he has brown eyes). Alvin and Brittany share a love-hate relationship.

### Simon Seville

 File:Simon in a bedpan 2.png
Simon possesses a very dry sense of humor as well as a keen wit and an IQ just north of Einstein. Alvin exploits Simon's master mind for his crazy schemes because he is smart enough to carry them out. In the end, Simon loves Alvin, although he secretly worries that they share the same gene pool. His signature color is blue, and he has blue eyes and black glasses; although his glasses are blue after the 1983 television series' second season up until the show's final season, in *The Chipmunk Adventure*, and *ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks*. He also has brown fur in the film. He plays the bass guitar, the bass clarinet, the keyboard, the saxophone, the bagpipes, the tuba, the mandolin, and the piano. He is shown playing the keyboard in the original open for the 1980s series. He was also shown playing the guitar in a 1980s Hardee's commercial. Simon and Jeanette are very shy about their romantic relationship, but it's obvious he cares for her.

### Theodore Seville

 File:Theodore sees an eagle.jpg
Theodore is the child of innocence and is the youngest of the group. He is shy, loving, sensitive, gullible, trusting, naïve and cute. In short, he is an easy target for Alvin's manipulations. In fact, Theodore often holds the swing vote between his two brothers' choices of action. Simon appeals to Theodore's better nature while Alvin goes straight to bribery. He is constantly craving snacks and in one episode, tried to eat Alvin's hand because of his hunger. Theodore's signature color is green, and has the same color eyes (except in the 2015 series, in which he has brown eyes). He also has blonde/tan fur in the film. He plays the drums, the bongos, the maracas, the tambourine, the triangle and other percussion instruments. Theodore and Eleanor are the most open about their romantic relationship.

### Other Characters

Click here for a full list of characters, including The Chipettes.

## Recording Technique

The Chipmunks' voices were recorded onto audiotape by voice talent talking or singing at half the normal speed. When the tape was played back at double speed, they would sound a full octave higher in pitch, at normal tempo. The technique was by no means new to the Chipmunks. For example, the high and low pitched characters in *The Wizard of Oz* were achieved by speeding up and slowing down vocal recordings. Also, Mel Blanc's voice characterization for Daffy Duck was sped up to some extent. Now the same effect can be created digitally and in real time.

However, the extensive use of this technique with the Chipmunks, coupled with their popularity, linked this technique to them. The term "chipmunk-voiced" has entered the American vernacular to describe any artificially high-pitched voice. A similar effect could be obtained in playback by merely taking an LP recorded at 33 1/3 RPM and playing it back at 45 or 78 RPM, a trick sometimes tried out by ordinary record listeners. The instrumental portions of the song are sped up as well, however, making it obvious that the music is being played at the wrong speed (Bagdasarian recorded vocals and music at different speeds to combine properly on his recording). Also, doing so might damage the record being played. This technique was frequently imitated in comedy records.

## Discography

This is the complete discography of **Alvin and the Chipmunks**.

* For a list of original songs by The Chipmunks & The Chipettes, click here.

* For a list of songs by another artist covered by The Chipmunks & The Chipettes, click here.Template:Main article

### Concert Tours/Performances

* 1984-1985: Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Magic Camera (The Chipmunks)
* 1985: Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Amazing Computer (The Chipmunks)
* 2008: Get Munk'd Tour 2008 (The Chipmunks)
* 2015: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Musical (The Chipmunks & The Chipettes)

## References

This article uses modified CC BY-SA Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors) (2009 revision).