The Tokens | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Brooklyn, New York, US |
Genres | Doo-wop, pop |
Years active | 1955–1978, 1998–2000 |
Labels | Warwick, RCA Victor, Victor Records, RCA Camden, JVC, HMV, B.T. Puppy Records |
Members | Jay Siegel's Tokens: Jay Siegel Gabriel Dassa Kurt Yahjian The Margo's Tokens: Jay Leslie Mike Johnson Noah Margo Ari Margo Damien Margo |
Past members | Neil Sedaka Eddie Rabkin Cynthia Zolotin Joe Venneri Brute Force Hank Medress Richie Grasso Bobby Love Jay Traynor Mitch Margo Bill Reid |
The Tokens were an American doo-wop band and record production company group from Brooklyn, New York City.[1] The group has had four top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, all in the 1960s, their biggest being the chart-topping 1961 hit single "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", which borrowed heavily from the 1939 song "Mbube" by South African singer Solomon Linda. They are also known for having Neil Sedaka as an original member, before he pursued a solo career.