Died On This Date (September 15, 2010) Alphonsus Cassell aka Arrow / Popular Soca Performer
themusicsover Alphonse “Arrow” Cassell
November 16, 1954 – September 15, 2010
Known professionally as Arrow, Alphonsus Cassell was a highly resected West Indies Soca and Calypso singer-songwriter. Cassell was still a child when he began singing back in the mid-60s and by the time he was 18, he recorded his first record. In 1982, he released a song entitled “Hot Hot Hot,” which became the biggest selling Soca song in history. Five years later, the New York Doll’s David Johansen had a pop hit with it under his alterego of Buster Poindexter. Cassell continued to release hits through the ’80s and ’90s. He continued to perform through the later years of his life. On September 15, 2010, Alphonsus Cassell died of cancer at the age of 60.
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.
