I saw this on another list, and didn’t remember seeing it anywhere else.
Forgive me if I’m wrong.
Vickie Rolison
Len Barry, the original lead singer for the popular doo-wop group the
Dovells, including their 1961 hit, “Bristol Stomp,” died yesterday
(November 5). The news was revealed by Jerry Gross, another original
member of the singing group. Barry was 78; no cause of death was
revealed. Barry later earned a solo hit with “1-2-3” in 1965.
In his post on the group’s Facebook page, Gross wrote, “We lost one of
our original members. Our lead singer from 1960 – 1963… has gone on to
Rock ‘n’ Roll heaven. In these trying times that we’re living in, with
the politics and the virus, and now one more sad moment.
Gross continued, “Very few people know that we did two reunion shows
in 1994 in Syracuse (NY) and Hartford (Conn). We had a fabulous time
both on stage, and in the car between the dates. Between Lenny and
Mark, the comedy never stopped. It was the best of times.
“Great being with him again after 31 years. RIP old friend. From all
the remaining Dovells. Jerry, Arnie, Mike, and Mark.”
Barry was born Leonard Orisoff on June 12, 1942, in Philadelphia,
Penn., performing in singing groups with high school friends. After
serving with the U.S. Coast Guard, he formed the Dovells with other
members, settling on a lineup in 1961 with Gross, Arnie Silver, Jim
Mealey, and Mike Freda. Signed to Cameo-Parkway, they recorded
“Bristol Stomp” about teenagers’ new dance step in a nearby blue
collar town.
The single reached #2 on the Hot 100, blocked from the top spot by
Dion’s “Runaround Sue,” and ultimately sold more than a million
copies.
Watch the Dovells perform their hit
They returned to the top of the pop charts with “You Can’t Sit Down,”
which reached #3 in 1963.
Watch the teenaged audience dance to the song by the local favorites
on the then Philadelphia-based American Bandstand.
After several more singles, Barry left the group for a solo career. He
returned to the upper reaches of the pop chart in 1965 with the
ultra-catchy “1-2-3,” which he co-wrote, earning a Grammy Award
nomination for Contemporary Rock & Roll Male Vocal Performance.
The song peaked at #2 on Nov. 20, behind the Supremes’ “I Hear a Symphony.”
Related: Musicians we’ve lost in 2020
Nance
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