Music Deaths: Fred Parris, Lead Singer of Doo Wop Group The Five Satins

FRED PARRIS, 85

Died 13 January 2022

Lead singer of Doo Wop group The Five Satins.

Group from New Haven, Connecticut with Fred Parris singing lead.  Parris was stationed in Japan in the Army when "On the Still of the Night" charted.  The group had already broken up, but reformed with Bill Baker as lead singer until Parris returned in January 1958 and replaced him.

"In the Still of the Night"  (#24-1956)

"To the Aisle"  (#25-1957)

Music Deaths: Len Barry '1- 2- 3'

LEN BARRY, 78

Died 5 November 2020

Lead singer of the Doo-Wop group Dovells.  As a solo performer had big hit with "1- 2- 3."

Real name Leonard  Borisoff.  Born and raised in Philadelphia.  Formed and was lead singer of the Dovells.  They charted two Top Tens:

"Bristol Stomp"  (#2-1960)

"You Can't Sit Down"  (#3-1963)

Then as a solo act:

"1- 2- 3"  (#2-1965)

Music Deaths: Arthur Lee Andrew Thompson (Lee Andrews & the Hearts)

ARTHUR LEE ANDREW THOMPSON, 79.  Died March 16, 2016.

Lead singer of Lee Andrews & the Hearts.  Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina and raised in Philadelphia.  His father had sung with the Dixie Hummingbirds.

His "Long Lonely Hearts" (#45 Pop, #11 R&B- 1957) became a Doo-Wop staple.

He also had "Teardrops" (#33 Pop, #3 R&B-1958) and "Try the Impossible" (#33 Pop- 1958).