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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZTOKENS, TheUSA vocal/instrumental group. Lineup: lead singer Jay Siegel (b 20 October 1939), tenors Henry Medress (b 19 November 1938) and Mitchell Margo (b 25 May 1947; d 24 November 2017), baritone Philip Margo (b 1 April 1942; d 13 November 2021). They sang in school with Neil Sedaka, then stayed together for a no. 15 hit 'Tonight I Fell In Love' '61 on Warwick, then switched to RCA and had no. 1 smash 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' same year (revival of the Weavers' 'Wimoweh', an African song). They had nine more Hot 100 entries in Billboard '62-70, only two in top 40. As Bright Tunes Productions they produced hits for the Chiffons, others; Medress produced a new version of 'Lion' for Robert John (Bobby Pedrick Jr.), a no. 3 hit '72; Siegel and the Margos formed Cross Country and made an eponymous LP on Atlantic produced by Medress and Dave Appell (including top 30 hit 'In The Midnight Hour' '73), who also produced Frankie Valli, others. The Tokens came back together for a Radio City Music Hall doo-wop revival show in October '81. |