Philip Margo
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2018) |
Philip Margo | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 1, 1942 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 13, 2021 (aged 79) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, author, writer |
| Formerly of | The Tokens |
Philip Frederick Margo (April 1, 1942 – November 13, 2021) was an American musician and author who was a longtime member of the Tokens, along with his brother Mitch.[1] They are best known for their hit recording of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" which rose to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for three weeks in 1961.
Biography
[edit]Margo was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 1, 1942, to Leon and Ruth (née Becker) Margules. He was of Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jewish origin from the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Russian Empire.
Margo authored the 2010 science fiction novel, The Null Quotient.
He died at a hospital in Los Angeles, California, after suffering a stroke, on November 13, 2021, at the age of 79.[2][3]
The Tokens
[edit]In addition to his singing, Margo also played the drums. He performed with The Tokens on the following television programs:
Record Production
[edit]With The Tokens, Margo was successful as a record producer for artists including the following:
References
[edit]- ^ Wynn, Ron. "Biography: The Tokens". AMG. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
- ^ "Remember The Tokens of 'Lion Sleeps Tonight' Fame?". Best Classic Bands. 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (November 18, 2021). "Philip Margo, Singer on The Tokens' Hit 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight,' Dies at 79". billboard.com. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
External links
[edit]- Philip Margo discography at Discogs
- Philip Margo at IMDb
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
- 1942 births
- 2021 deaths
- American television writers
- Musicians from Brooklyn
- American male singers
- Record producers from New York (state)
- American soul singers
- The Tokens members
- Singers from New York City
- Writers from Brooklyn
- 20th-century American drummers
- American male drummers
- Screenwriters from New York (state)
- American male television writers
- 20th-century American male musicians
- American people of Sephardic-Jewish descent
- 20th-century American Jews
- 21st-century American Jews
- Drummers from New York City