Musician Producer Record Label Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (June 18, 2007) Hank Medress / The Tokens

By themusicsover June 18, 2010 #Buster Poindexter, #David Johansen, #Hank Medress, #Neil Sedaka, #New York Dolls, #the Chiffons, #the Happenings, #the Tokens, #Tony Orlando

Hank Medress
November 19, 1938 – June 18, 2007

Hank Medress will always be remembered as the singer of American pop classic, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” but his contributions to popular music go much deeper. As a singer or producer, he’s worked directly with such artists as Neil Sedaka, the Chiffons, the Happenings and Tony Orlando. He was also instrumental in the creation of New York Dolls singer, David Johanson’s popular 80’s alter ego, Buster Poindexter. Medress died of lung cancer on June 18, 2007 at the age of 68.