The story of how the Shaggs came to be a band is almost as unbelievable as the music they produced. If you know about them and their fabulously shambolic cult album Philosophy of the World, it’s likely thanks to one of their famous fans. Frank Zappa declared them “better than the Beatles,” Kurt Cobain cited Philosophy of the World as an all time favorite, and countless others have sung their praises over the years. It was a mother’s prophecy to her son, Austin Wiggin, that he would have daughters who would be in a successful rock band. Despite his girls’ complete lack of interest in playing music, he heeded his mother’s words and turned Dot, Betty, and Helen Wiggin into the Shaggs. Writer Susan Orlean reflects on her time profiling the band for The New Yorker in the late ‘90s, and their strange trip to unexpected fame.
The Shaggs. Image courtesy of Geoffrey Weiss
The Shaggs live, Fremont, NH Town Hall. Image courtesy of Matthew Thomas.
Shaggs practicing. Image courtesy of Matthew Thomas
“Rules for Shaggs Dance.” Image courtesy of Matthew Thomas
The Shaggs. Image courtesy of Dot Wiggin
Betty Wiggin-Porter, left, and Dot Semprini at Dot's home in Epping, NH. The two sisters sang and played guitar in The Shaggs. Photo by Avishay Artsy/KCRW.