News / Music
Singer of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” Hank Medress, Dies
Hank Medress, singer of the infectious doo wop hit “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” has died at the age of 68.
Medress, along with Jay Siegel and brothers Phil and Mitch Margo formed the group The Tokens and in 1961 they hit the top of the pop charts with their signature song.
In 1963 the group began producing other artists and in helped the Chiffons hit number one with the classic “He’s So Fine.” The Chiffons would return to the charts again with “One Fine Day.”
Medress found success once again when he worked with Tony Orlando and convinced him to sing lead on the 1971 number one single “Knock Three Times,” which went on to sell more than 9 million copies.
In 1987 he helped David Johansen shed his punk past with the New York Dolls and hit the pop charts with “Hot Hot Hot” as Buster Poindexter.
Medress died of lung cancer on Monday at his Manhattan home.
