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==Main characters==
==Main characters==
{{Main|List of Alvin characters}}
{{Multiple issues|section=yes|
{{Original research|section|date=March 2018}}
{{Tone|section|date=March 2018}}
}}


===Seville family===
=== ===
⚫
{{|David Seville}}


====Dave Seville====
=== ===
⚫
{{Further|David Seville}}

====The Chipmunks====
The 1983 series revealed that the boys' mother "Vinnie" is a similarly anthropomorphic chipmunk living in a nearby forest. One year a particularly harsh winter had caused a nut shortage. Vinnie realized that her newborn children would likely not survive the winter, so she anonymously left them on Dave's doorstep. She returned briefly to see what happened years later. Dave and the boys were unaware of their origins until they asked him during an argument over the exact date of their birthday. Vinnie had never revealed herself to him, but the boys investigated and eventually tracked her down.
The 1983 series revealed that the boys' mother "Vinnie" is a similarly anthropomorphic chipmunk living in a nearby forest. One year a particularly harsh winter had caused a nut shortage. Vinnie realized that her newborn children would likely not survive the winter, so she anonymously left them on Dave's doorstep. She returned briefly to see what happened years later. Dave and the boys were unaware of their origins until they asked him during an argument over the exact date of their birthday. Vinnie had never revealed herself to him, but the boys investigated and eventually tracked her down.


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In the 1980s media, the boys are triplets, as they celebrate their birthday together in "<nowiki>''</nowiki>A Chipmunk Reunion<nowiki>''</nowiki>" (Alvin stating to be born five minutes before Simon), and they are about 8–9 years. While never mentioned, in the CGI movies and 2015 series, the chipmunks are no longer triplets and celebrate different birthdays; but seem to be around the same school age.
In the 1980s media, the boys are triplets, as they celebrate their birthday together in "<nowiki>''</nowiki>A Chipmunk Reunion<nowiki>''</nowiki>" (Alvin stating to be born five minutes before Simon), and they are about 8–9 years. While never mentioned, in the CGI movies and 2015 series, the chipmunks are no longer triplets and celebrate different birthdays; but seem to be around the same school age.

====Alvin Seville====
'''Alvin''' is the lead vocalist and is the oldest brother of the Chipmunks (retconned, he's now the middle in "Alviinnn! and the Chipmunks"). He wears a red baseball cap and sweater/hoodie sporting a yellow "A". In personality, Alvin is enthusiastic, mischievous, funny, hot-tempered, and egotistical, constantly craving the spotlight over his brothers. He often makes up crazy schemes to achieve his goals, whether it be trying to help his brothers, keeping Dave from figuring something out, or getting out of a difficult situation. Alvin seems to refer to his often crazy plans as "challenging the ordinary". He is proud of his fame and often comes off vain and self-obsessed, but Alvin loves his brothers very much, often proving that his heart speaks louder than his voice. He is also not ashamed to admit when he is wrong and will help others when the time comes; there are times when Alvin displays true selflessness, such as when he gave his golden Echo harmonica to a sick boy at Christmas and when he helped Theodore get Nathan, a bully, off his back for a while.

He is shown to be in love with Brittany, although they often argue with each other, they look out for each other when things look bad. He sometimes struggles with her to prove who is the better. He sometimes displays affection for Brittany and comforting her when she is upset.

Like his brothers, Alvin was originally voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. In the animated series and film, he was voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Jr. [[Justin Long]] voiced Alvin in the live-action/animated film series. On July 30, 2002, Alvin was No. 44 on [[TV Guide]]'s list of "Top 50 Best Cartoon Characters of All Time".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/30/cartoon.characters.list/index.html |title= TV Guide's 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time |date=July 30, 2002 |access-date=June 2, 2009 | publisher=CNN| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090603034915/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/30/cartoon.characters.list/index.html| archive-date= June 3, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> His personality was based on one of Ross Jr.'s brothers, Adam Bagdasarian, who had a rebellious streak.<ref name="angry">{{cite news |last=Blevins |first=Joe |url= http://www.vulture.com/2015/11/the-dark-angry-father-of-alvin-and-the-chipmunks.html |title=The Dark, Angry Father of 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' |work=[[Splitsider]] |date=November 10, 2015 |access-date=October 3, 2018}}</ref>

====Simon Seville====
'''Simon''' is the tallest and the middle brother of the Chipmunks (the oldest in 2015 series). In addition to having substantial book smarts, Simon possesses a dry sense of humor and a keen wit. Simon is an enthusiastic scientist, with his own laboratory in the basement of the Chipmunks' house, and is known to read classical literature as well as scientific texts. Simon is kind, gentle, logical, responsible, and at times poetic, and often takes charge when Alvin goes too far with his harebrained schemes. Although Simon frequently disagrees and argues with Alvin, he truly loves him and sticks by him despite everything. Simon tends to hold grudges, but these are often short-lived as he knows that he should be more forgiving.

Simon is often implied to have a crush on Jeanette, as she is like him in many details: wearing glasses and blue or purple attire and having a high IQ, possibly rivaling his own. However, he seems braver in standing up to siblings than her because Jeanette does not stand up for herself when Brittany pushes her around. But like Simon to Alvin, Jeanette shares a sisterly bond with Brittany. Simon and Jeanette are rather shy around each other and are not very open with their feelings, but Simon does display physical affection for Jeanette, including catching her when she falls, holding her hand, and giving her hugs.

Like his brothers, Simon was originally voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. In the animated series and film, he was voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Jr. [[Matthew Gray Gubler]] voiced Simon in the live-action/animated film series.

====Theodore Seville====
'''Theodore''' is the youngest of the Chipmunks, usually singing upper harmony. He is shy, sweet, gullible, and naïve. In short, he is an easy target for Alvin's mischief. He wears green attire and has green eyes (brown in the CGI animated series). Theodore is often caught in the middle when Alvin and Simon get into an argument. He has a big appetite, constantly craving snacks and in one episode, Theodore tried to eat Alvin's hand because of his hunger. He plays the drums, the guitar, and other instruments. In vocal harmonies, his voice is typically the highest. He is fragile yet unpredictable and not very brave, but he will put on a brave face when his brothers are in trouble. At times, he is childish and Alvin's follower, but he is also the glue that binds his brothers despite Alvin and Simon's differences. Although he is sometimes teased by Alvin, Theodore loves him and knows that Alvin loves him too.

He seems to have affection for Eleanor, his female counterpart. Like his brothers, he was originally voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. In the animated series and film, his voice was provided by [[Janice Karman]], Ross Bagdasarian Jr.'s wife, and the voice of all three Chipettes.

===Miller family===

====The Chipettes====
{{Main|The Chipettes}}

====Brittany Miller====
'''Brittany''' is the lead singer and is the oldest sister of the Chipettes, and is the female counterpart of Alvin. Brittany is considerably self-centered, ambitious, and vain, but she does have a kind side and is loyal to her sisters, Jeanette and Eleanor. Brittany is often trying to look pretty and desires to make herself popular or get what she wants, but she does learn her lessons and is willing to do the right thing. Brittany often displays affection for Alvin as they are alike in many ways. Although she and Alvin are often quarrelsome with each other and often compete over who is the better, she does stick by his side in tough situations and deep down, she and Alvin do love each other. Brittany pushes Jeanette around a lot and takes advantage of her kindness, but deep down, they love each other very much and care about each other, proving that Brittany does have a gentle side. Eleanor always stands up to Brittany when she tries to push Jeanette around, but they do share a strong sisterly relationship.

====Jeanette Miller====
'''Jeanette''' is the middle sister and smartest of the Chipettes. Like Simon, she wears glasses and purple attire. In personality, Jeanette is intelligent, gentle, kind, compassionate, and attractive. She cares about Simon and gets along with him very well, although the two of them are very shy about their relationship. She is often pushed around by Brittany, but she loves her sister and knows that Brittany loves her too. Jeanette tries to be her best, but she is shy and often viewed as clumsy, as she does have a habit of tripping over her own feet. Still, she is beloved by her sisters and finds companionship with their guardian, Miss Miller.

====Eleanor Miller====
'''Eleanor''' is the youngest of the Chipettes. Eleanor is kind, sweet, trusting, and courteous. Eleanor often stands up to Brittany when she pushes Jeanette around, but she loves her elder sister and is always willing to forgive. She seems to have affection for Theodore and they are the two most open about their relationship. Like him, Eleanor is sensitive about her weight and does not like to be insulted for it, but she often stands up for herself and wishes to help Theodore gain self-confidence. She is voiced by Janice Karman in the 1980s series and then by Vanessa Bagdasarian (the daughter of Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr.) in the 2015 series.

==Film characters==

===Ian Hawke===
Ian is played by comedian [[David Cross]] and serves as the main antagonist in the first two films. He is Dave's friend-turned-rival and former college roommate and serves as the CEO of Jett Records in [[Alvin and the Chipmunks (film)|the first film]]. One day, the Chipmunks sneak off to his home to audition, whereupon he automatically signs them on to the label. He rockets them to the top of the music business but after seeing how much they are truly worth, he attempts to lure them away from Dave for his own profit. His plan ultimately fails, as the Chipmunks have learned of it and escaped from his grasp, thus leaving him to be ousted from his job as CEO of Jett Records.

In [[Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel|the second film]], Ian is now unemployed, in debt, and lives in the basement of Jett Records stating that he lost everything except his dignity. However, he happens upon the Chipettes who want to be famous like the Chipmunks, and cannot wait to make them famous, so he takes them in, in hopes of getting his sworn revenge on the Chipmunks. He enrolls the Chipettes into the same school as the Chipmunks, and after showing Dr. Rubin ([[Wendie Malick]]) their talent, she agrees to let them battle the Chipmunks for the right to represent the school for the district's music competition. However, during the climax, Ian decides to blow off the competition to have the Chipettes perform at a Britney Spears concert, and takes them by force, threatening to take them to a barbecue restaurant if they will not comply. Alvin saves the Chipettes from Ian, who then tries to imitate them at the Britney Spears concert, only to get thrown into a dumpster by security guards, losing everything again, including his dignity.

In [[Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked|the third film]], Ian has mellowed and now works on the [[Carnival Dream]] cruise ship, dressed in a [[pelican]] suit because record labels are not interested in hiring him for ruining the concert of the Chipmunks, the Chipettes and for passing on [[Justin Bieber]] twice. As a well-respected mascot, he takes his job very seriously and threatens to have Dave and the Chipmunks removed from the ship if they continue to act up. However, he becomes Dave's friend again while helping him find the Chipmunks after they were marooned on the island. In the end, he gets his wealth back by starting a career as a screenwriter, having sold a screenplay about Zoe's story to Hollywood.

===Claire Wilson===
Claire is Dave's ex-girlfriend who adores the Chipmunks after she finally gets to meet them. She becomes good friends with Dave again by the end of the movie.

===Toby Seville===
Dave's immature and very careless cousin who appears in the second film. Toby is a slacker who loves to play video games. He still lives with his grandmother and Dave's aunt, Jackie Seville, until he figures out what he wants to do with his life. Toby's immaturity keeps him from acting like an adult (although he seems to take on some responsibility in the middle of the film), and he has had a crush on the Chipmunks' homeroom and music teacher, Julie Ortega (Anjelah Johnson), since he attended the same school as the Chipmunks. He is played by [[Zachary Levi]].

===Zoe===
Zoe is a deluded and kindhearted castaway who was found by the Chipmunks when they end up being marooned on an island that she took refuge. She claims to be on the island for eight or nine years. At first, she was believed to have crash-landed on the island, but it turns out that she intentionally came there to look for treasure. She is played by former ''[[Saturday Night Live|SNL]]'' actress [[Jenny Slate]] and is the (former) main antagonist of the third film.

===Agent James Suggs===
Agent James Suggs is the main antagonist of ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip]]''. He is an air marshal who personally despises the Chipmunks, blaming them for being dumped by his girlfriend and plots to hunt them down and have revenge. He first appears on an airplane where Theodore releases a monkey from a cage, who releases several other animals. Suggs confronts the Chipmunks and gets attacked by the animals. He next encounters Alvin at a bar and fights him, but the Chipmunks escape. He then chases them, but runs into a sign and gets knocked out. When he finds them at a musical parade he tries to catch them, but gets hit by a trombone slide and then gets drunk. He wakes up in a room with a man and finds a tattoo on his stomach and another one of the Chipmunks on his back. He goes to a rental car station and urges a man to get him the fastest car he has got to find the Chipmunks, but it is a yellow and (sort of) slow car. He initially is embarrassed but accepts the car. He then finds the Chipmunks in a hotel and catches them in an elevator, but the Chipmunks defeat him by hitting the emergency stop button and leaving him trapped inside. During the mid-credits, he is released by a maid and is escorted to a pool. He then gets confronted by a man who tells him to move, but Suggs refuses and is subsequently carried out by two guards. He is presumably fired as air marshal for harassing the Chipmunks. He is similar to Ian Hawke. He is portrayed by [[Tony Hale]].

===Samantha===
Samantha is a supporting character in the fourth CGI/live-action film ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip]].'' She is the mother of Miles. She first appears at a miniature golf course with her son Miles <small>(who is later introduced into the movie)</small>. Her occupation is a doctor. She is Dave's girlfriend and is believed to become his fiancée. She is portrayed by [[Kimberly Williams-Paisley]].

==Television characters==

===Miss Beatrice Miller===
Miss Beatrice Miller is the kindly, absent-minded adoptive mother of the Chipettes. She occasionally babysits the Chipmunks and has a crush on Dave, even though she's old enough to be his mother. In her youth, she was part of an all-girl singing group called the Thrillers. She appeared in the 1983 TV series and was voiced by [[Dody Goodman]].

The character is one of the Liberty Lane neighbors in the 2015 animated series.

===Professor Clyde Crashcup===
{{Main|Clyde Crashcup}}
[[Clyde Crashcup]]&nbsp;– voiced by [[Shepard Menken]]&nbsp;– is a scientist in a white coat whose experiments invariably failed. His was the only voice heard in many of the episodes because the other character in the series was his assistant Leonardo, who only whispered into Clyde's ear to communicate with him. In one episode, though, Clyde invented a wife, voiced by [[June Foray]]. Clyde had one of the four segments, and the Chipmunks starred in the other three (two of which were musical segments). In the episode "Crashcup Invents the Birthday Party", Foray provided the (all too audible) voice for the mother of Crashcup's inaudible assistant, Leonardo.

Clyde Crashcup was primarily an inventor rather than a researcher, although he tended to invent things which had already been invented. However, in one episode, he built a functioning [[Time travel|time machine]]. He typically would invent something by taking a pencil out of his lab coat's pocket and drawing a picture in midair of his conception: the picture would then become the actual object.


==Recording technique==
==Recording technique==

Revision as of 20:33, 27 November 2021

This article is about the band created in 1958. For other uses, see Alvin and the Chipmunks (disambiguation).

Alvin and the Chipmunks
Background information
OriginCalifornia, United States
Genres
Years active
  • 1958–1972
  • 1979–present
Labels
MembersAlvin Seville
Simon Seville
Theodore Seville
WebsiteOfficial website

Alvin and the Chipmunks, originally David Seville and the Chipmunks or simply The Chipmunks, are an American animated virtual band created by Ross Bagdasarian for a novelty record in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks named Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. They are managed by their human adoptive father, David "Dave" Seville.

Bagdasarian provided the group's voices sped up to create high-pitched squeaky voices (which wasn't entirely new to him, having worked on "Witch Doctor" earned the record two Grammy Awards for engineering).

"The Chipmunk Song" became a number-one single in the United States. After Bagdasarian died in 1972, the characters’ voices were provided by his son Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and the latter's wife Janice Karman in the subsequent incarnations of the 1980s and 1990s.

A CGI-animated TV series reboot, titled ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks, premiered on Nickelodeon on August 3, 2015. In 2018, The Chipmunks received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Through the successful franchise, the Chipmunks have become one of the most successful children's artists of all time. It has garnered two number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and won five Grammy Awards, having four Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and three certified platinum albums. "The Chipmunk Song" became one of the best-selling singles of all time at 5 million physical copies sold.

On November 2, 2021, Bagdasarian Productions announced that they would sell the property for $300 million. ViacomCBS was reported as one of the interested buyers.[1]

History

Witch Doctor

Main article: Witch Doctor (song)

In 1958, Ross Bagdasarian Sr. released a novelty song (as David Seville) about being unsuccessful at love until he found a witch doctor who told him how to woo his woman. The song was done by Bagdasarian in his normal voice, except for the "magic" words, done first in Bagdasarian's pitched-up, pre-Chipmunk voice, then in a duet between his pitched-up voice and his normal voice. The words themselves are nonsense: "Oo-ee, oo-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla, bing-bang".

The song was a hit, holding number one for three weeks in the Billboard Top 100 chart. Nothing makes any reference to chipmunks, but the song is sometimes included on Chipmunk compilations as if the Chipmunks 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. Bagdasarian performed the song "live" (with a pre-recorded track of the pitched-up voice) on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Bagdasarian (again as Seville) recorded a follow-up song, "The Bird on My Head", singing a duet with his own sped-up voice as the bird. It also reached the Top 40, peaking at No. 34.[2] While driving in Sequoia National Park, Bagdasarian saw a chipmunk dash in front of him. That moment inspired him to create his chipmunk characters.[3]

The technique was imitated by Sheb Wooley's "The Purple People Eater" and The Big Bopper's "The Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor".

The Chipmunk Song

Main article: The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

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 4 million copies in seven weeks, and it launched the careers of its chipmunk stars. It spent four weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from December 22, 1958, to January 12, 1959, succeeding "To Know Him Is to Love Him" at Number 1 on the same chart by the Teddy Bears, a pop group that featured Phil Spector. It also earned 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-synching 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.

Bob Rivers did a parody of this song for his 2000 Christmas album Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire which was titled "The Twisted Chipmunk Song". In the song, the Chipmunks are referred to as Thagadore (Theodore), Squeaky (Simon), and Melvin (Alvin).

The Three Chipmunks (1959)

The Chipmunks first appeared in comic book form on Dell's Four Color Comics series, issue #1042 (cover-dated Dec. 1959). Alvin, Theodore and Simon were depicted as somewhat realistic, nearly identical anthropomorphic rodents with almond-shaped eyes. When Herb Klynn's Format Films made a deal to develop the Three Chipmunks for animation, the old designs were rejected and new versions of the characters were created. Liberty Records eventually re-issued the early albums with the "new" Chipmunks and it was this new version of the Chipmunks that was used when Alvin's own title was released by Dell in 1962.

Bagdasarian Productions

The Alvin Show (1961–62)

Main article: The Alvin Show

The first television series to feature the characters was The Alvin Show. By this period, the Chipmunks looked much like their modern incarnations. Also, an animated portrayal of Seville was a reasonable caricature of Bagdasarian himself. The series ran from 1961 to 1962 and was one of a small number of animated series to be shown in primetime on CBS. It was not a prime-time ratings success and was subsequently canceled after one season. Ratings improved significantly in syndication.

In addition to Alvin cartoons, the series also featured the scientist Clyde Crashcup and his assistant Leonardo. Those characters did not feature prominently on any of the later series. Crashcup made a single cameo appearance in A Chipmunk Christmas, and in an episode of the 1983 TV series. The 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. 26 episodes each were produced for the Alvin and the Chipmunks and Clyde Crashcup segments, along with 52 musical segments.

New albums and A Chipmunk Christmas (1969–82)

The final Chipmunks album in the project's 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 midseason replacement in 1979) and the following year, Excelsior Records released a new album of contemporary songs performed by the Chipmunks. That 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 new television productions, and in 1981, the Chipmunks and Seville returned to television in the Christmas special A Chipmunk Christmas, produced by Marvel Productions, which was first broadcast on NBC on December 14 of that year. Next year, two more albums were released (Chipmunk Rock and The Chipmunks Go Hollywood).

Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983–90)

Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983 TV series)

The group's name changed from "the Chipmunks" to "Alvin and the Chipmunks".[4]

In 1983, a second animated television series for the group, produced by Ruby-Spears Productions, was released. Titled simply Alvin and the Chipmunks, the outline of the show closely paralleled the original Alvin Show. The series lasted eight production seasons until 1990. The first season introduced the Chipettes (three female versions of the Chipmunks): Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor with their human guardian, the myopic Miss Beatrice Miller (who arrived for the 1986 season). The show's success led to the release of a soundtrack album in 1984, Songs from Our TV Shows.

After 1988, the show was renamed just The Chipmunks to indicate that there were now two groups of them. Also introduced was the boys' "Uncle" Harry, who may or may not have been a relative. The show reflected contemporaneous trends in popular culture; the Chipmunks sang recent hits, and wore contemporary clothing. One "documentary" episode spoofed John Lennon's 1966 infamous comment that the Beatles had become "more popular than Jesus", by recalling how the Chipmunks had fallen in popularity after Alvin boasted they were "bigger than Mickey Mouse!". In 1985, the Chipmunks, along with the Chipettes, were featured in the live stage show, Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Amazing Computer. In 1987, during the fifth season of the television show, the Chipmunks had their first animated feature film, The Chipmunk Adventure, directed by Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and released to theaters by The Samuel Goldwyn Company. The film featured the Chipmunks and the Chipettes in a contest traveling around the world.

In the 1988–89 season, the show switched production companies to DIC Entertainment (1988-1990) and Murakami Wolf Swenson (1988), 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, King Kong, and others. In addition, several television specials featuring the characters were also released. After the eighth season, the show was canceled again. In 1990, a documentary was produced about the show entitled Alvin and the Chipmunks/Five Decades with the Chipmunks. In that year, the Chipmunks also teamed up for the only time with other famous cartoon stars (such as Bugs Bunny, Garfield, etc.) for the drug abuse-prevention special Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue.

Subsequent music releases and short-lived acquisition by Universal (1991–2002)

On January 18, 1991, NBC the television special starring the Chipmunks entitled, Rockin' Through the Decades. The same year, they released the album, The Chipmunks Rock the House. In 1992, the group released the country album, Chipmunks in Low Places. Released on September 29, 1992, the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA, becoming the group's first platinum record and making it the Chipmunks' best-selling album followed by a greatest hits release and a reissue of 1981's A Chipmunk Christmas. By 1993, Urban Chipmunk re-released as a compilation album The Chipmunks' 35th Birthday Party with a double album, called The Chipmunks Sing-Alongs.

Their fourth Christmas album, A Very Merry Chipmunk, saw a release in 1994, then When You Wish Upon a Chipmunk in 1995, Club Chipmunk: The Dance Mixes peaked in the Top 10 on Billboard's Top Kid Audio.

In 1996, Universal Studios purchased the rights to the characters. In 1998, Sony Wonder and Columbia Records released The A-Files: Alien Songs and Greatest Hits: Still Squeaky After All These Years on September 21, 1999. The purchase of the rights to the characters by Universal resulted in The Chipmunks' 1999 reappearance, in the form of the direct-to-video movie Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein on September 28, 1999. Five new songs were composed for the film were made available via a soundtrack released by MCA Records. Later that year, The Chipmunks' Greatest Christmas Hits was released.

The movie was successful enough to spark interest in a sequel, and in 2000, Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman appeared. Three new songs were composed for the film that was also made available on a soundtrack by MCA.

Both movies featured the original cast of the second series reprising their roles as the tone was very similar to the series. Universal lost the rights to the characters in 2002 due to a breach of contract with Bagdasarian Productions.

Return to Independent productions, movies and merchandise (2003–2020)

On September 17, 2004, Fox 2000 Pictures, 20th Century Fox Animation, and Bagdasarian Productions announced a live-action hybrid film starring Alvin and the Chipmunks.[5] Tim Hill[6] directed the 2007 CGI/live-action film adaptation, with Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney providing the voices, along with its 2009, 2011, and 2015 sequels. Bagdasarian Jr. and Karman continue to perform the singing voices for Alvin, Theodore, and the Chipettes, but Steve Vining did Simon's singing voice. The projects have earned five Grammy awards, an American Music Award, a Golden Reel Award, three Kids' Choice Awards, and Emmy nominations.

Possible Acquisition (2021–present)

Main characters

Main article: List of Alvin characters

Dave Seville

Main article: David Seville

The Chipmunks

The 1983 series revealed that the boys' mother "Vinnie" is a similarly anthropomorphic chipmunk living in a nearby forest. One year a particularly harsh winter had caused a nut shortage. Vinnie realized that her newborn children would likely not survive the winter, so she anonymously left them on Dave's doorstep. She returned briefly to see what happened years later. Dave and the boys were unaware of their origins until they asked him during an argument over the exact date of their birthday. Vinnie had never revealed herself to him, but the boys investigated and eventually tracked her down.

In the 2007 feature film, the chipmunks lived in a tree, fending for themselves as their parents had taken off to join a hippie commune and had problems gathering nuts for the winter. Their tree is cut down and carted off to grace the entrance lobby of a city office building, with them in it. They eventually wind up in Dave's home, where they wreak havoc.  After being thrown out, Dave notices how well they can sing, making them famous. They eventually win his heart.

In the 1980s media, the boys are triplets, as they celebrate their birthday together in "''A Chipmunk Reunion''" (Alvin stating to be born five minutes before Simon), and they are about 8–9 years. While never mentioned, in the CGI movies and 2015 series, the chipmunks are no longer triplets and celebrate different birthdays; but seem to be around the same school age.

Recording technique

The Chipmunks' voices were recorded at half the normal tape speed onto audiotape by voice talent (on the 1960s records, generally Ross Bagdasarian Sr.'s own voice overdubbed three times, on the post-1980s records, studio singers) talking or singing at half the normal speaking rate. When the tape was played back at normal 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 Sylvester the Cat's voice sped up to some extent. Now, the same effect is created digitally and in real-time with a pitch shift.

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 331⁄3 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. Guitarist Les Paul said he visited Bagdasarian's studio in 1958 and helped with the recording.[7]

The technique was used extensively in the British puppet show Pinky and Perky, which predated the Chipmunks. The sound was frequently imitated in comedy records, notably "Transistor Radio" by Benny Hill, "Bridget the Midget" by Ray Stevens, "The Laughing Gnome" by David Bowie, and on several tracks on Joe Meek and the Blue Men's album I Hear a New World. The technique also appears in the "Yeah! You!" line of the Coasters' song "Charlie Brown". Prince used the technique on several of his songs, as well as Frank Zappa on We're Only in It for the Money and on the instrumental album Hot Rats, among others. The early production style of hip-hop artist Kanye West involved sped-up, high-pitch vocal samples from classic soul records incorporated with his own (additional) instrumentation.[8][9] Due in part to the acclaim of his debut album The College Dropout, such sampling techniques subsequently became much copied by a myriad of other hip-hop producers.[10] In the early 1990s rave scene, many breakbeat hardcore productions would utilize the same studio tricks, often taking a cappella from house records and speeding them up to fit the faster tempo. Vocals in songs that used this method would typically be referred to as "chipmunk vocals".

Guest appearances

The Chipmunks made their first guest appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on December 13, 1959, when they performed "The Chipmunk Song".

In 1968, the Chipmunks appeared in an Italian commercial TV program Carosello, in their sponsorship of Prealpi, a cheese-maker in Varese, Italy.

The Chipmunks appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade twice; 1983 and 1986. In the 1983 parade, they performed Tomorrow. In 1986, they performed The Girls of Rock and Roll with The Chipettes as a way to promote their film, "The Chipmunk Adventure", which was released six months later.

The Chipmunks performed with Canned Heat on the band's interpretation of "The Chipmunk Song", which is sufficiently derivative of the Chipmunk's 1958 hit that Ross Bagdasarian Sr. gets sole writing credit. It was featured as the flip-side of the band's Christmas Blues single released in late 2009.[11]

The Chipmunks made a guest appearance on Xuxa in 1993, where they performed "Country Pride" from their album, Chipmunks in Low Places.

They also appeared on the FOX NFL Sunday intro (which premiered on December 20, 2009) with the cameo character, Digger (the mascot for NASCAR on Fox).

The Chipmunks made an appearance at a Los Angeles Dodgers preseason game on April 3, 2010, when the Dodgers squared off against their rivals, the Los Angeles Angels. The group performed, "America the Beautiful" with a group of children prior to the game. Also, Simon Seville wore a wig of Manny Ramirez's dreadlocks. Ross Bagdasarian Jr. made the opening ceremonial pitch for that game.

The Chipmunks made multiple appearances on ads for Food Safety to help kids learn safe food practices.

Filmography

TV shows

Series number Title Broadcast run Original channel Total # episodes Total # seasons
1 The Alvin Show 1961–62 CBS 26 episodes 1
2 Alvin and the Chipmunks 1983–90 NBC 102 episodes 8
3 ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks 2015–present M6 (France)
Nickelodeon (U.S.) 		107 episodes 5

Movies

Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks in film

Home media

Main article: List of Alvin and the Chipmunks specials & home video releases

Discography

Main article: Alvin and the Chipmunks discography

Video games

Concert tours

  • 1984:The Chipmunks and the Magic Camera (The Chipmunks)[12]
  • 1985: Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Amazing Computer (The Chipmunks and the Chipettes)[13]
  • 2008: Get Munk'd Tour (The Chipmunks)
  • 2015: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Musical (The Chipmunks and the Chipettes)[14]

Awards and nominations

There were five Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, a Golden Reel Award, three Kids Choice Awards in total, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

References

  1. ^ Sherman, Alex (November 2, 2021). "Alvin and the Chipmunks owner seeks sale for $300 million, sources say". CNBC. NBCUniversal. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "The Bird on My Head by David Seville". Themadmusicarchive.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  3. ^ Clarely, Kathey (May 24, 1987). "Dashing Park Rodent was the Inspiration for Chipmunks". The Fresno Bee. 'He couldn't figure out whether to use worms or elephants or whatever,' said Ross Bagdasarian Jr., who took over the chipmunk business from his father. 'Suddenly, as he was driving through the sequoias [at Sequoia National Park], a chipmunk dashed out on the road and dared him to pass. Dad fell out of the car laughing and the Chipmunks were born.'
  4. ^ "Alvin and the Chipmunks Celebrate Holidays On Stage". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  5. ^ Brodesser, Claude (September 14, 2004). "'Alvin' to squeak again". Variety. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  6. ^ LaPorte, Nicole (January 24, 2007). "Hill to direct 'Chipmunks'". Variety. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  7. ^ Guitar Buyer, September 2008
  8. ^ Burrell, Ian (September 22, 2007). "Kanye West: King of Rap". The Independent. UK. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
  9. ^ Barthel, Mike (October 15, 2010). "Understanding Kanye: Sweet, Sweet Robot Fantasy, Baby". The Awl. David Cho. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  10. ^ Empire, Kitty (August 28, 2005). "West Ends the Wait". The Observer (Guardian News and Media Limited) Retrieved 4 September 2005.
  11. ^ "Canned Heat: The Official Band Biography". Canned Heat. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  12. ^ Alvin and The Chimpmunks and The Magic Camera from 1984 – Video Dailymotion. Dailymotion.com. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  13. ^ Alvin and the Chipmunks Live Action Stage Show Commercial. YouTube.com. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  14. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 25, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Alvin and the Chipmunks: Live On Stage. alvinandthechipmunkslive.com. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Alvin and the Chipmunks Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
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