The Tokens

Genres:	Doo Wop • Pop / Rock • R&B / Soul
Descriptive "tags":	oldies • 60s • pop • doo wop • 50s • american
Decades Active:	1950s • 1960s • 1970s • 1980s • 1990s • 2000s
Artist Compilations:	Neil Sakada & The Tokens
Links online:	Official Homepage • Wikipedia

Biography

Formed in 1955 in Brooklyn, New York, USA, the Tokens were one of the most successful white harmony groups of the early 60s, best known for their 1961 number 1 single ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ (number 11 in the UK). The group was originally called the Linc-Tones (taken from Lincoln High School, which the original members all attended) and comprised tenor vocalist Hank Medress (19 November 1938, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA, d. 19 June 2007), Neil Sedaka (b. 13 March 1939, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA), Eddie Rabkin and Cynthia Zolitin. The following year Rabkin left and was replaced by Jay Siegel (b. 20 October 1939, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA). With that line-up the group recorded ‘I Love My Baby’ for the Melba label, with no success. The next change came in 1958 when Sedaka departed for a hugely successful solo career as a performer and songwriter. Zolitin also left in 1958 and the remaining duo carried on for a...

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