Died On This Date (April 23, 2011) Tom King / The Outsiders
themusicsover Tom King
DOB Unknown – April 23, 2011
Tom King was the founder and lead guitarist of the Outsiders, a Cleveland, Ohio rock band that scored a huge hit with 1966’s “Time Won’t Let Me.” King co-wrote the song which went on to define the era and is generally included in any respectable ’60s rock compilation. Originally formed in 1958 as Tom King and the Starfires, the band ultimately signed to Capitol Records and changed their name to the Outsiders at the request of the label to sound more like the British Invasion bands of the mid ’60s. Unlike many of their peers, the band quickly became one of the scenes best live acts thanks to their years performing R&B standards as the Starfires. After a series of line-up changes and singles that didn’t perform as well as King had hoped, the band broke up in 1968. The group reformed with different line-ups in later years. In ailing health, Tom King passed away in a nursing home on April 23, 2011. He was 68.