Vocal group harmony pioneer George T. Smith, Jr., baritone in the Castaleers who recorded for Felsted, Donna, and Planet from 1957-1961 died June 3, 2018 at age 86. A lifelong resident of Providence, RI, Smith served for many years on the Board of Canvassers for the city of Providence. The Castaleers, represented
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Bobby Taylor, Motown recording artist and producer
Soul music legend Bobby Taylor has died at age 83. The singer / producer was living in Hong Kong at the time of his death. He was born in North Carolina, but his musical journey took him through Washington DC, Delaware, New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Jose and Columbus, Ohio before landing in Hong Kong.
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Passings: Timothy Wilson, “Tiny Tim” of the Hits and The Legendary Teenagers
We are sad to report the passing of Timothy Wilson, former lead singer of The Legendary Teenagers, of cancer at age 73. He was born Howard Wilson in Salisbury, Maryland where he was discovered by Bobby Freeman and his manager Walt Summers, singing with his group Tiny Tim & the Hits. The group was taken
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The passing of Fireflies’ lead Ritchie Adams (Ziegler)
Singer-songwriter Richard Ziegler (aka Ritchie Adams) passed away on March 6, 2017 after a brief illness. Although Ziegler achieved most of his commercial success as the writer of the music for Bobby Lewis‘ 1961 smash “Tossin’ & Turnin’” and Englebert Humperdinck‘s signature song “After the Lovin’”, doo wopp fans revered him as the original lead
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Robert Bateman, legendary Motown writer, has passed away at 80
by A. Scott, special to Pop, Rock & Doo Wopp Motown legend and R&B Hall of Fame member Robert Bateman has passed away, aged 80. Born in Illinois with one arm shorter than the other, he was easily recognized by his distinctive gait. Many people believed it was an affected walk, and began to copy
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Wayne Smith, of the Capris, remembered
Wayne Smith, lead singer of the Capris for the last 7 years, passed away Saturday, March 12. Wayne had previously recorded with The Cliftonaires and appeared live with Joe Villa as one of The Three Friends. To group harmony enthusiasts (especially those who frequented the U.G.H.A. scene in New Jersey), Wayne is perhaps best known
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Wally Roker of The Heartbeats has passed away
Wally Roker has passed away at the age of 78. As bass singer and one of the leaders of The Heartbeats, he sang on influential seminal R&B recordings including “Crazy for You”, “A Thousand Miles Away” and “Your Way”. The Heartbeats were a tremendous inspiration to other, mainly white vocals groups, that followed, most notably
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The passing of Tommy Gough of the Crests
Thank you to historian Todd Baptista for providing the following: Talmadge E. (“Tommy”) Gough, age 74, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2014 at his residence in Flint, Michigan. Tommy was an original member of the Crests, who recorded “Sixteen Candles”, “Step by Step”, “The Angels Listened In” and “Trouble in Paradise” among others. Services: Family
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Jay Traynor, a remembrance
There may have been more than one Jay to front Jay & The Americans, but anyone who’s ever heard him sing will agree that Jay Traynor was one of a kind. Jay Traynor passed away on January 2 of this year, 2014, leaving a legacy of great performances, great recordings, warm memories and one killer
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